‘No one is lonelier than a sailing ship captain’ – Alan Villiers
A Frosty Sail
This was the sight I faced at 8am on 19th November half an hour before victims Tom and Kyle were due to arrive for their taster Day Trip. On went the heating and I was hoping for warmth to remove the frost from the deck and make them safe. A bit of an ominous start but at least the favoured westerly wind direction was promised.
In the event we had a great time with full sails up and a favourable wind, in direction and speed. Indeed we made it almost up to Blyth quite easily before we had to return to avoid sailing in the dark and the cold. Indeed by 2pm the return up the Tyne with the wind against was rather chilly. This turned out to be the last sail of the season as a storm the following Monday put paid to the Hartlepool trip.
New for 2017 – Split Weekend RYA Course
Many times have I been asked ‘Do you do Day Skipper Practical across two weekends?’ and I have unable to supply this.
Now I can offer this Course across the Spring Bank holiday weekend and the following; May 26 – 29th & June 2-4th. Evening starts. Cost: Day Skipper £675 & Competent Crew £650
North East Maritime Trust
Formed in 2005 to make a positive contribution to the renewal of interest in traditional activities on the Tyne
Restoration is under way and has taken place on several boats which can be followed North East Maritime Trust
Here you can see work in progress and it is hoped that more can be seen in action on the water in years to come. Wouldn’t it be a great experience to see, and sail, these newly restored boats, alive again on the Tyne and out at sea!
Northumbria Sailing Adventures
These adventures are when we either charter a sailing yacht or take ‘Lian’ somewhere interesting and challenging. When weather and crew status permit we will do distances, often sailing through the night via the watch system. If this is not possible we will cruise looking for pleasant places to visit with good shoreside wining and dining facilities.
Trips in recent years have included the Orkneys, the Clyde, London Tower Bridge and a North Sea crossing.
We will endeavour to have you fully involved in the sailing of the boat and to consider your preferences. Alcohol will often be enjoyed when we are no longer underway. At the end of the trip you will have a log book filled and plenty of nautical adventures to tell.
North Shields to Amsterdam in July 2017
Come with me for a trip to, or from, Amsterdam on my quality 11 metre yacht ‘Lian’, a Hallberg Rassy sailing yacht, well known for its luxury and steadiness afloat.
There will be two legs, Royal Quays to Amsterdam, or near, and the return. To comply with the boat’s commercial coding certificate, requiring a maximum distance of 60 miles from a safe haven, the routes will follow the coastline, crossing about Lowestoft. I last sailed to Amsterdam in 2012, a great and vibrant city readily accessible by air from Newcastle upon Tyne. The outward leg will be from 1st – 8th July and the return 8 – 15th. 8th July will be the changeover date. The outward crew will meet onboard on the evening of 30th June.
Depending on the route the mileage is estimated between 275 and 300 miles each way.This will be an opportunity to build sea miles.
What to Expect.
You will be sleeping onboard and take part in watches throughout the night. Expect highs and lows, for a sailing trip is never routine and you learn to ‘expect the unexpected’ and deal with it.
The boat is sturdy and comfortable and, whilst we do not aim to go out in bad weather, we will be ready if caught out at sea. The boat has a Chart Plotter, Radar and AIS. I will take one leg and employ a skipper for the other.
The cost includes catering, berthing, just about everything except meal and drinks onshore.
How to Prepare.
Detailed joining instructions will be given nearer the time, but you will be responsible for your travel costs and arrangements to the start. Sadly, I can give no guarantees to arrive at Amsterdam even, but will be making every effort.
If you book a flight early to take advantage of discounts this will be at your own risk.
How to Book. There are a maximum of four places on board each way. £100 reserves, subject to the conditions on my webpage. The balance is payable two months before the start of the trip. You will be asked to sign a declaration of fitness. Outward FULL
Cost £550 for the 7 days outward & £495 returning.
Hebridean Adventure in June 2017
Come for a Hebridean adventure on an elegant, 43 foot, Sun Odyssey deck saloon yacht (library image of similar shown).
We will assemble at Dunstaffnage marina, 3 miles north of Oban on June 17th, returning one week later on 24th.
I am chartering Eloise, built 2004, from Alba Sailing which can be viewed in detail Eloise.
The boat is a deck saloon, which provides a light saloon with panoramic views and generous space. The layout provides four cabins, two toilets and a double saloon berth. Although accommodating a stated 10 persons there will be a maximum of 8 onboard.
The aim will be to tour the Hebrides, with Mull as a fall back. The area does provide a staging post to the World Heritage site of St Kilda, islands I last visited in 1994. Whereas I would love to go there again, St Kilda is notoriously difficult to see and there is no secure anchorage once there. Weather conditions can change quickly and the islands are often fogbound.
If all conditions are favourable it would be possible to make a visit, but involving long sails since the boat must be returned on time.
What to Expect.
You will be sleeping onboard and take part in watches throughout the night. Visiting a marina during the week is unlikely and opportunities for eating out onshore limited.
Alcohol can be served onboard when we are no longer underway. In the case of evening dinners, three out of the seven will be taken onshore, two will be freezer meals from Dunstaffnage and three reserve onboard meals will be purchased. Meal preparation will be by turn and a kitty will operate for all catering. Initial victualling will be undertaken on your behalf and individual dietary requirements will be taken into account in so far as possible.
Berthing fees and fuel are included & you will need to provide your own personal injury insurance.
Detailed joining instructions will be given nearer the time, but you will be responsible for your travel costs and arrangements to the start. Cost £695 for each berth & £650 for the bunks. Now FULL
Shakedown in March
Sail to Hartlepool on March 14th, stay overnight, and return the following morning. One place available at £125.
A River Speaks
A fascinating 1956 archive film narrated by South Shields lass Flora Robson showing the Tyne on it’s journey from Hexham to Tynemouth and onwards to a packed outdoor swimming pool with waves breaking over the hardy swimmers. Lots of ships and cranes to see enroute. A River Speaks
Update on Courses & Trips
‘Keeping your brain active protects against dementia, probably because it increases the quality of your cognitive reserve – the connections within the brain network’
THEORY COURSES
RYA OCEAN YACHTMASTER Explore the wonders of a sextant with Celestial Navigation and Ocean Passage Planning. This ‘top of the range’ RYA theory course can lead to the coveted ‘Ocean Yachtmaster’ ticket. I have four sextants, one new lightweight metal, one plastic & two old brass, for you to handle. A practical session is included. Cost £450 or £725 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only.
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £425 for class & £625 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. New for 2017 is a revised tidal section exploring tidal influences. Evenings & Saturdays; January 11, 14, 18th, February 1, 8 & 15th, March 1, 8, 11, 15, & 22nd + 1 to be arranged
RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. Maximum 8 to a class and located in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £395.
I can’t do these times and am in a hurry!
Then a Tailored Timetable with one to one tuition could be for you. Costs £595 (£950 a couple) for Day Skipper, £625 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ and £725 for the Ocean. Available when the diary permits.
Whilst I would not wish to encourage missing sessions, it’s a fact of life in todays world and time can be made up through private sessions or, sometimes, within the class timetable
PRACTICAL COURSES
All local courses take place on the school boat, a quality 36 foot Hallberg Rassy, well known for its comfort and steadiness afloat. Properly equipped with modern electronics, the preferred wheel steering and comfortable bunk cushions you will be well set up to handle whatever may come your way. Courses are fully inclusive, except for a kitty contribution to drinks onshore.
PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for three persons. 3:1 private tuition and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary. Cost £275. (£375 weekends) May 3, 4 & 5th (FULL)
DAY TRIPS. ‘Taster’ days run throughout the season with the aim of having a pleasant day out on the water. You can see whether yachting is for you at modest cost. Trips operate out of Royal Quays 0930 – 1700hrs. Cost £50 weekday & £70 weekend (maximum 5 customers onboard). Saturday 6th May & either 31st March or 2nd May
RYA COMPETENT CREW A 5 day, live aboard, course where you will learn ‘the ropes’ and to become a useful crew member. A good start to, perhaps, a lifetime boating. Cost £575. 2017; April 2 – 7th (provisionally), May 7 – 12th (Only 1/2 spaces left), July 23 – 28th Course Review
RYA DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL The key to bareboat charter, this course aims to get you to the ability ‘ to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar’. Then you can be let loose to find your own adventures and provide endless anecdotes for you to enjoy telling. (The caption shows the June victims enjoying fish & chips on the final day) Cost £595. April 2 – 7th (provisionally), May 7 – 12th (Only 1/2 spaces left), July 23 – 28th ‘I was pleased with the way the course was organised, the instructions for preparation and attending, the fact that you were there waiting for me when I arrived, and your welcome both before and after we boarded.’ – Hassall. Course Review by Tim Edwards
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Cost £525 with dates as above. Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations are given for this which will be from £225 for one day, own boat.
YACHTMASTER PREPARATION Following on from the successful session last June, where three new YM’s were delivered, there is to be a repeat format during Three days preparation followed by examination by an RYA Examiner for two days. Cost £595 excluding exam fees
If you are contemplating your YM Examination you must see this in-depth report by Jonny Colwell on his experience in the autumn of 2015 YM Prep & Examination
Northumbria Sailing on Video
The school yacht is an 11 metre Hallberg Rassy, a quality boat well fitted down below providing comfortable accommodation, stable at sea. Have a look at her entering the river Tyne under sail. Lian at Tynemouth
Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training
Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, by courtesy of Mark Batey and the kind co-operation of victims Andrew and Clive. See me giving berthing advice in trying to avoid the electric supply post Mark Batey Day Training
RYA Competent Crew in the sun, by courtesy of Mark again Mark Batey Competent Crew
In a clip from 2013 you see the appreciation of Ladies on an RYA sponsored day at Royal Quays Ladies Day
Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed
Seasons in the Sun
As the clocks go back and we reflect on the summer we have had, we might like to thank the Earth’s tilt for all this.
Here is a good image which shows what happens when the Earth makes it’s elliptical orbit around the Sun. The Earth spins towards the east, along a parallel of latitude, and the June image shows the tilt resulting in the Northern Hemisphere receiving more Sun’s rays than the Southern. This position is reversed in December, which is our winter and Australia’s summer.
Shown also is the timing of the perihelion, when the Sun is at it’s closest, and the opposite the Aphelion. Thus January’s perihelion would bring the most Sun’s heat were it not for the tilting (declination) away, in the Northern Hemisphere.
If there was no tilt then the amount of Sun’s rays would be constant all year round, which might please some, but our seasonal changes and all that goes with them, would disappear.
Specialist Courses include;
RYA BASIC SEA SURVIVAL. A must for all sailors and a very proactive time in the, warm, swimming pool. You will learn about general safety onboard as well as survival in the water. Last April we had a very enjoyable session at a school in Heaton and this will be repeated at some time in the future, according to demand Cost £125 or £110 if in a group or family. RYA Basic Sea Survival and a video Wet in the Pool
RYA VHF Still available in class or private tuition. Don’t be caught without a proper licence as you could be fined up to £5,000, plus 6 months inside, plus equipment confiscation – yes it’s very severe! At Northumbria Sailing you will receive tuition one per training set. As you will be assessed for practical skills as well as theoretical I think it’s advisable that you have every opportunity to familiarise yourself with the equipment. Next session, all day; 12th January (Only one place left) Evenings; 9 & 16th March. Cost £110 plus £60 to RYA Also available One to One at £175 and online at £85 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
RYA RADAR Are you safe using your set? Can you properly identify a collision situation? If you have radar you are required to know how to use it properly and could be held responsible if an incident was to occur. Day or two evening courses. Cost £120, plus £9.75 to RYA.
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £25
RYA Essential Navigation Online. Do this starter course on your own laptop. A good introduction to the theory part of sailing, with yacht or power boat. Cost £95 plus £27 to the RYA
RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Be prepared for a full day’s activity with lots of practical demonstrations and active participation – no going to sleep here with Simon!. Cost £75, £95 with Cat C drug endorsement. Next Course 2nd February
Victims (all) at Sea
Emergency – ‘Where’s Your Ticket?’
The question Heather & Chris faced when, with less than a month to go, they were asked, for the first time, to produce an RYA Qualification for their sailing yacht charter in Tenerife. They are experienced sailors and have chartered regularly, but never been asked to produce documentary evidence of their abilities.
It was a Saturday morning then last month, October, when I received a phone call. Can you help us? Methinks ‘Cripes, my RYA Day Skipper Practicals have finished for the season and I’m in the process of removing stuff from the boat. But I can’t fit in a 5 day Course and I have never done a split or, indeed, a private. It would be October/November and that’s too late in the season….On the other hand, I know them and they are very much in need of help’
I gave in and quoted them for an RYA Day Skipper Practical for the two of them, split across sessions of two and three days, one in October and the second in November. Oh, and another date was arranged in the diaries just in case the Course wasn’t completed on time. Then the night sail dawned. Four hours has to be given, though an early start would be a bonus. I don’t think I have sailed up here at night in November.
How would I instruct just the two of them, both expected to meet Day Skipper standards and deal with the night sail etc etc?
In the event, I decided to ensure they could properly sail together just the two of them, to include berthing and lock management i.e. short handed. It worked well, but the sea state wasn’t suitable for a night sail during the first two sessions so I would have to wait for the November 3 days. It did happen and the river Tyne entrance was very busy, because at 6pm it wasn’t late. It’s amazing how vessels can hide against a background of lights.
It being a private session there was time left over for a theory brush up, honing in on the ColRegs. Both Heather and Chris were successful and all of us rather smug as, the day after completion, there were gales and snow on the hills.
A nice email has resulted; ‘Many thanks once again for taking us on at such short notice and giving us a thoroughly good and engaging course on which we learnt so much under your skilful guidance. We are both extremely grateful to you for looking after us so well.’.
PS Heather & Chris have now returned from Tenerife, returning the boat ‘unscathed’. They reported that few overnight anchorages are available, resulting in more marina berthing (stern to), but ‘enjoyed some exhilarating sailing in the acceleration zone on the east side of the island’.
John Jacobson has Ginitot shown here being lifted out by tractor in wet Netherlands. He had a couple of days sailing in the Markermeer before Ginitot left the water for a winter ashore in Volendam
David Harewood is, to the best of my knowledge, currently crossing the Atlantic on his way to St Lucia with the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). Seen here overseeing the fruit and veg loading at Las Palmas. Also shown is the start of the rally showing boats fitted with AIS (Automatic Identification System) via the MarineTraffic web page (very useful for tracking – my skippers please note!)
A high rate adventure for David, one which he has been working up to since he signed up earlier this year. Pre-rally training is usually organised so crews are familiar with the boat and procedures before the start. (David is teetotal so I wonder how he managed with the other ‘familiarisation procedures’!)
I look forward to receiving a full report. Latest; David has landed in Rodney Bay, St Lucia and was looking for a hotel!
Jane Brantom ‘I had a tough last minute decision to make in November, a week crewing around Lanzarote or staying home for my Day Skipper class. It was tough call but Lanzarote won and I returned to the class with heaps of practice (and a good holiday!) under my belt. I joined friends of friends on ‘Brighton Belle’ and had a fabulous week discovering ‘accelerator’ winds, the glorious anchorage of Graciosa Island, not to mention the glories of the Oyster 55 and Lanzarote itself. Brighton Belle is a lovely yacht, jointly owned by a club of some 30 people, she is based in Brighton, open to new members and has occasional opportunities for crewing. Have a look at their web site to find out more’ Of course I didn’t begrudge Jane going out to enjoy an Oyster 55 – I just gave her extra homework to bring her back to our ordinary lives! Brighton Belle
Sam Robinson, a young man who left his life in England to seek work on a super yacht. It took him a while to get taken on but now reports; ‘I left my previous job on a 38m motor yacht called Sarita Si and now I have a job on a 44m motor yacht called Space but it’s just for the winter. Sam says; ‘loving it and haven’t looked back’. Space Yacht
David Rodgers has been sailing in and around the firth of Clyde ‘on Chyandra, pronounced Shy-an-dra, a beautiful Sparkman & Stephens SHE 32 I bought in Rhu. She was completely refitted by Derek Smith during the last 8 years and sails like a dream. I have had instruction from Derek [an 83 year young ex-naval man]’.
The boat has rather attractive lines and came complete with a 13 page document on how Derek came to buy her and refit, with his wife’s help. Included was teak from the stage floor of the Alhambra theatre in London.
David usually sails by himself (he smokes….) and was caught out in a 30knot wind. Why didn’t you put the engine on to get back to Rhu? I asked. No, he wanted to sail.
Eddie Redshaw had an argument with a ferry, and lost. He has/had a ‘ nice Hunter Legend 30 but had a bit of problem with a DFDS ferry. Bloody thing overtaking me too close got full wash on port side cut across my bow’.
Eddie has just given me an update; ‘Have not heard anything about the legal side .wysiwyg now renamed STAR. The rigging has arrived from America and has been attached to the yacht and coach roof has been completed as well. STAR Will be put on a pontoon at Lowestoft haven marina. Too frightened to sail it up to Amble by myself, long hours of dark this time year and first stage of passage to Scarborough up Norfolk coast is 16 to 20 hours at least. If anything goes wrong nowhere to go in until Scarborough (that mast nearly smashing my head in has taken its toll on confidence).
We hope a normally cheerful Eddie, a DS Practical victim, will be able to re-gain his confidence and be setting sail again, ferry or no ferry nearby. See him on FB.
Michael Green is one of my power victims and currently taking the RYA Day Skipper theory course. He’s one of my older victims, but with served in the Navy and, last May, bought a Corvette 32 motor cruiser Daisy Rose now based in Royal Quays. He’s organised and determined to make his mark.
2016 has seen a varied year of victims to whom English is not their first language. I congratulate them all on performing so well, whether they were Polish, German, Chinese, French, Irish or Yorkshire. Below you see a report in Polish, with a link to the English translation – if you need It!
Ahoj Żeglarze
Moja przygoda z żeglarstwem zaczęła się dawno temu w Polsce na Mazurach. Niestety z rożnych przyczyn życiowych nie było mi dane rozwijać tej pasji. Wiele lat temu los przytargał mnie do Anglii do Newcastle. Trochę zbieg okoliczności, troche przypadek. Tak czy inaczej nigdy bym nie podejrzewał że kolejne zbiegi okoliczności kilka lat później skrzyżują moje drogi z Northumbria Sailing i jego założycielem Melvinem.
Zaczęło się niewinnie podczas jednych z rodzinnych wakacji w Hiszpani. Pięknie położony hotel nad morzem a u jego podnóża marina z pięknymi jachtami. Codzienne spacery w takim sąsiedztwie wczesniej czy pozniej musiały skończyć sie natchnieniem do działania. Jeszcze będąc tam zacząłem szukac w internecie jak i gdzie po powrocie do Newcastle mógłbym uzyskać kwalifikacje żeglarskie.
Wtedy znalazłem Northubria Sailing. Po wymianie kilku maili umówiłem sie na spotkanie w celu wyjaśnienia szczegółów procedury szkolenia i uzyskania kwalifikacji. Tak też osobiście poznałem Melvina.
Wyzwanie podjąłem odważnie i zdecydowanie. Nie było łatwo, ale i nikt nie obiecywał że będzie łatwo.
Doświadczenie wymagające determinacji i pracy. Wiele godzin spędzonych na nauce nawigacji, meteorologii oraz wiedzy ogólno żeglarskiej. Wszystko to w języku ojczystym byłoby wyzwaniem ze względu na wyspecjalizowaną terminologię nie wspominając o tym, że musiałem to wszystko ogarnąć w j.angielskim.
Ostatecznie trzy miesiące teorii i tygodniowy rejs uwieńczone zostały sukcesem. Egzaminy zaliczone z wyróżnieniem zaowocowały uzyskaniem tytułu Day Skipper.
Wszystkim miłośnikom żeglarstwa i potencjalnym kandydatom do zdobywania kwalifikacji i doświadczenia polecam Northumbria Sailing i jej instruktora, kapitana żeglugi wielkiej Melvina Wallhead.
Pozdrawiam
Mario
“Ahoj” is more nautical term that I remember being used as a greeting between sailors on the sea.
“Żeglarze” – sailors
Mario’s Adventure – English Version
As you can see, Mario is sailing mad, keen to do courses inside, and outside, his price bracket. He’s determined to take his wife and family on the water in Poland next year. With adventures already he crewed for a tricky delivery from Seahouses in lumpy conditions. He forgot his anti-seasickness tablets of all things! He wasn’t seasick though, despite a couple of very close shaves.
Boat Delivery
Just bought a boat and wondering whether to have it delivered or trucked? You can contact us for a feasibility assessment and quotation for cost.
Yacht Skippering
There are times when you might feel that your ‘ticket’ and/or experience will not be adequate for a safe holiday. Last summer I had such a commission enabling a larger yacht to be chartered and to sail to more adventurous places. It worked and we all had a great time and look forward to repeating the experience exploring a more challenging area in 2017.
For more information contact me via my web page
Sail Safely the RYA Way