October 2023

Northumbria Sailing

      Sail Cruising Courses & Trips in North East England

    Shore to Sail News

       October’s News On and Off the Water

Sailing Skills Success!

September saw the start of this Course aimed at improvement of existing skills and introduction to new. In this case it was mast climbing with Lisa featured here. John took his first ever selfie – from the top of the mast 🙂 This first Course was full and good weather ordered especially for the occasion. A successful Course to be on the calendar for 2024. Seen here with myself are Lisa, John & Dave (who demonstrated his mimicry skills!)

A Lively Course

An action packed three day Practical Crewing Stayover Course. Long distance travellers too attended, from Leamington Spa and, almost, Scotland. Here we see Mitch, myself, Karen & Scott at Blyth enjoying a bit of sunshine. Lucky too was Peter who emailed me first thing in a morning to cancel his booking and Mitch phoned later in the very same morning to fill the space less than one week away from the start.

Safe Port in the Storm

Congratulations to Dave, Louise & David on completing the final RYA Competent Crew of the season. Storm Agnes was experienced from the safety of our bunks at Royal Quays where the washrooms are second to none.

High Noon Sextant

Ever wanted to handle a real sextant and take sights without doing the full RYA Ocean course or going out to sea only to find the sun doesn’t make an appearance or you are too queasy to focus? This latest Skills Course will enable you to do just that on November 11th. Not only will you be able to handle a sextant there will also be a Star Globe, and the opportunity to meet Jonathan Kemp who used the Star Globe for real after the GPS failed on a trip to the Falklands during his time in the Royal Navy. The session will be in support of Tynemouth RNLI and there will be an opportunity for buying and selling nautical magazines and books. Cost £45 + 10 voluntary RNLI contribution.

‘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

Classroom

Onboard Pure Gallus there’s a classroom suitable for a small class but, mostly, the modern Life Centre in Heaton is used.

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 £595 or £925 on tailored tuition. ‘I have to say it was tough, and tested the brain calls somewhat. However – it was great challenge and good company – Debra’.  The US Navy are teaching sailors Celestial Navigation again as a precaution against cyber attack. An evening class is planned to commence October/November. US Navy.

Navigating by the Stars

Fewer mariners with experience of ocean sailing before GPS are still with us and Jonathan Kemp is one of them. With his guidance I have acquired a Star Globe of the type he used down in the Falklands and will be using this in sessions, ashore I hasten to add. He has described his experiences for posterity. Jonathan.

RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £575 for class & £850 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Provisional dates for the next class, Thursday evenings & two Saturdays; January 11, 18, 20 & 25^th, February 1, 8, 22 & 29^th March 7, 9, 14, 21, 25 & 28^th. An extra victim is sought to share costs for One2One. Phil from 2018 says; ‘Although I knew the YM Theory would be a step up and a challenge the hard work and effort was worth it once I got out there on the boat. That extra depth of knowledge really helped me understand the dynamics of sailing, sea conditions, anticipated weather looming on the horizon and, of course, it’s likely impact on boat handling and the crew’.

RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. This is a Course where early booking is essential. Classes take place in a modern building in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £550. Autumn 2023 dates; October 2, 9, 10, 16 & 30th, November 6, 7, 13, 20 & 27th, December 4, 11 & 12th all from 1800 – 2100hrs (limited space available) Winter Daytime Course, 0930 – 1430hrs starts January, provisional dates; January 16, 23 & 30th, February 6, 20 & 27th, March 5 & 12th.  Day Skipper Theory.

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 £795 for Day Skipper, £850 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ and £925 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

Skills Centre

It’s now some 13 years since I started delivering RYA Courses, their format and their questions to be answered. Yet important messages are not always given their due weight and there’s no scope for further investigation. Skills Centre sessions and courses will have this in mind and offer the opportunity to seek further knowledge as well as refreshing existing. I see subjects being mainly theory with some practical, but am open to suggestions

TIDES In this subject we look at real tides and apply this to examples in waters of the UK and Europe, with particular emphasis on our very tidal North East Coast. Learn how to calculate tidal heights and streams at main and secondary ports. You will be using Reed’s Almanac and the first session will be for assumed beginners leading to more advanced stuff later on. This Course will be run across three sessions 1800 – 2100hrs at Heaton. Cost £95 for three sessions, less for fewer. ‘Being new to sailing and having seen numerous yacht go aground in Amble harbour entrance, the tides we have on the NE coast frightened me a little. I looked into the online courses but decided to go with you and the classroom instead and I’m glad I did. Learning in a group with instant help and feedback from you made understanding the lessons so much easier.’ – Thornley 

FOG ALL OVER You have a chart plotter, AIS and Radar showing there’s another vessel out there. Plenty of electronic information but, you then realise, none tell you which way to turn. In the collision between Whispa and Gas Monarch the former was not on a collision course but the skipper misconstrued notorious Rule 19d and actually turned towards Gas Monarch and collided. This short course, I’m not sure yet how many sessions, will attempt to throw some light on this important subject.

SKIPPER SKILLS Another new course aimed at improving skills of either an existing skipper or a very competent crew about to take their RYA Day Skipper Practical. This Course will include exercises such as berthing, which are not normally available outside an RYA Course and others according to demand. For example; use of up to date Raymarine electronics, night sail or just confidence building. 

Northumbria Sailing  Adventures

These adventures are when we either charter a sailing yacht or take Pure Gallus 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 Skye, 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.

Kintyre & Crinan in 2024

May 11 – 18th 

In 2024 we are looking towards a stunning Adventure around the Mull of Kintyre, visiting ‘whisky’ Islay and relaxing in the Crinan canal. This will be one you will remember for a very long time.

A reservation has been placed on a 2011 commissioned 12.1 metre yacht, Tramontane, a Hanse 400, sailing out of Largs, a marina with easy access and excellent facilities. There will be a maximum of 5 persons onboard. A larger yacht might be more glamorous and cheaper per head, but is less participatory.

Costings. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the skipper, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £895 for one person alone. Saloon; £795. Forecabin with ensuite; £750 each for two sharing. Extra is a ‘kitty’ share. Only the saloon berth is still available. 

 

New – Mini Sailing Adventures

In response to demand, Sailing Adventures on Pure Gallus will take the form of Mini versions as well as Maxi, tailored for holders of their RYA Day Skipper Practical tickets, but also welcomed are other seafarers keen to experience sailing on this 2016 built yacht fitted to high standards. Electronics include Raymarine kit including a Plotter, Radar and AIS. Pure Gallus, a Sun Odyssey 419, is the type of boat, with twin wheel helms, you might charter on your holiday in the Med.

Guidance will be available but you will be fully involved in the Adventure and may even care to select your own crew. Maximum number will be four plus the Skipper and sharing the ensuite forecabin will give berths at the most economical rate.

Anyone already familiar with Pure Gallus or the predecessor Lian by means of a 3 or 5 day Course qualifies for discounted prices from £75 discounted and £125 non discount.  

PRACTICAL COURSES

All local courses take place on the school boat, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 12 metre built less than 6 years ago and the type of boat you may aspire to when going out on your own adventures. For full information on what to expect from an RYA Course with Northumbria Sailing you are recommended to click

From Alan following a 5 day course; ‘Food was really good btw which I wasn’t expecting![space_20]

Where Do I Sleep?

On Pure Gallus you will have the opportunity to select your berth and pay accordingly. Singles go in the saloon or an aft cabin with doubles in the forecabin which has private ensuite facilities. Doubling up in the forecabin provides the cheapest deal.

PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for up to four ideally, sometimes five, and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary and no need to stay onboard overnight. This was very popular in 2022 and here we see Lorna, Mel, Sean, Emma & Jo, one being pregnant too.  Cost £350, weekday only.

This popular Course is now available stayover where you will spend two nights onboard away, if possible,  from Royal Quays. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the instructor, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £495 for one person alone. Saloon; with limited stowage, £395. Forecabin with ensuite; £375 each for two sharing or £650 alone, when available. Next Course, day or stayover according to demand, is across Easter; March 29 – 31st 2024 

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. No experience needed. Cost, according to berth, from £650 (cabin sharing, £695 alone). Or see Practical Crewing above. ‘You were a pleasure to have as a guest, instructor and examiner. Your wisdom, advice and encouragement was much appreciated’ – Rachel  

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. For Bareboat charter this is the first qualification to be obtained. Nevertheless in some areas, the Solent for example, a higher qualification is needed and UK tidal requested.

It is important that you are ready to take this important Course and, for minimum standards, check out on the web page Day Skipper Pre-Quirements. These standards and experience are expected at the time of booking. Cost, according to berth, from £695 (cabin sharing, £750 alone). Ask for more details if you possess the pre-quirements linked above.  ‘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 For a murky glimpse of a night sail try Night Sail 

RYA START YACHTING  A two day course for beginners which can be the ‘start’ of greater things. You live onboard for two days and visit another marina, away from Royal Quays. This is a Weekday Course for which a minimum booking of two is needed (singles also welcome). Cost from £275 sharing & from £295 single. Next availability; October 13+14th (FULL).

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. In 2023 there will be a new ICC Course, shorter and cheaper than the full 5 day Day Skipper Practical. Some countries will not accept RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate and request the ICC; ‘To sail a yacht bareboat in Greece the Greek authorities require the skipper to be over 18 and have a sailing licence issued by a statutory authority. Currently the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) for sail is most widely accepted, an RYA Coastal Skipper practical certificate or higher (new certificate version to include photo ID’. Cost £495. Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations are given for this which will be from £275 for one day, own boat ICC Guidance

Taster Days & Trips

These are an introduction to sailing and meant to be a nice experience, so conditions have to be right even though it means being more sensitive to the weather. No-one wants a macho adventure, but this still won’t stop us from going out to sea briefly in a high wind.

END OF SEASON STAYOVER at off season prices before the long lie in. A Friday late afternoon sail to Blyth with stayover at the Yacht Club and a visit to the historic bar in the Club’s former light ship. We return to Royal Quays Saturday morning, each sail taking about three hours. Costs; berth in the roomy aft cabin the most popular spot, £175, Double Forecabin with ensuite £80 each; Budget Saloon £125. Dinner included, everything except the bar bill! October 20+21st 

DAY TRIPS. 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 and have been very popular during the 2023 season. Cost £85 weekday & £105 weekend. Next availability; October 7th (FULL) Yes, describing it as a “taster” is an understatement. It was a practical and thoroughly excellent training day. It’s a credit to your skill and confidence to take two complete novices to sailing at sea out into force 7+ and make it feel so easy. Your training plan and instruction was just right and delivered with clarity and a sense of humour which quickly removed any tension. I know Peter had as much fun as I did and we both came away with a heightened enthusiasm. – David  

Royal Quays Lock

Not for the faint hearted at times, but if you have a character forming moment there, like so many before you, just bow to your audience to whom you have just given free entertainment!

Enter into Hartlepool and you must face the tricky approach channel which will dry 0.6m at Chart Datum. The directional light on the office tower is difficult to spot and shown here is this channel at low water. 😏

Whitehaven to Clyde Delivery

Northumbria Sailing  on Video

Alan Robson produced this video of his sailing experience during his five days and gaining his International Certificate of Competence. Day Skipper.mov – Google Drive

Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training

Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, now replaced by a Sun Odyssey 419, 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

Specialist Courses   

RYA VHF This important Course is available in class, onboard, online 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.  Cost £120 plus £70 for the RYA. Also available One to One at £190 and online at £95 to include manual. Assessment £70 extra. Next session; October 19th Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio  and RYA Online VHF video

The RYA require you to book your face to face assessment at the time of enrolling on a Course. Beware of anyone offering this Course without this.  RYA VHF 

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. Candidates for RYA Yachtmaster examinations are expected to be conversant with radar. Day Course: Cost £130, plus 10.50 to RYA. Next session; October 17th ‘Thank you very much for yesterday’s course’ – Stephen

CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £35

RYA DIESEL ENGINE

A Volvo Penta 2003 marine diesel engine will be used for demonstrations and you will get several chances to try your hand at changing filters etc.

The Course is for beginners and will show the simple maintenance tasks you can do yourself to help maintain your engine in working order. The RNLI has complained that most of call outs are from engine failure where simple tasks have  not been performed. Your rescuing lifeboat may make firm suggestions if this is found to be the case. RYA Examiners have requested greater knowledge from candidates. Cost £130 plus £11 for the RYA Pack. Maximum 6 persons.  RYA Diesel Engine

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 £79 plus £30 (includes instruments) for the RYA Pack. Online Navigation

RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Find out the latest recommendations on what to do at sea from an experienced sailor with over 50 years in nursing to include A & E. Cost £95 plus £8 Pack. First Aid Certificates   

Victims (All) at Sea

David Hamilton ‘our Lefkas flotilla was amazing – we had a fab time and my crew did a great job. The Sunsail lead crew also took a lot of the stress out of it with a bit of a helping hand here and there. Will definitely be going again, but maybe choosing something with a bit more space than the 38!. I also bumped into a former pupil of yours in Fiskardo – we ended up moored next to him and his family on the quay. I forgot to ask his name though so can’t tell you who he was, sorry!!

Definitely more pressure – very conscious that I might have to do any of the jobs if the crew weren’t sure – or strong enough as with some of the winching. Autohelm definitely a huge help! It concentrated the mind though and I’m definitely a better skipper for it – I do suspect they all had a more relaxing holiday than me though! The boys one is definitely a different vibe – any job on the boat is fair game for any of us so it does allow for more downtime’. – I rate taking the family on holiday higher than the ‘all mates’ sails and David will be a better skipper now, even though at the price of extra grey hairs! – Ed  

Jeremy Troughear reports; ‘We were in Croatia, There was a heat wave so we motored most day’s. Only sailed 2 days but had a great holiday.’

Gill & Owen Sawyer – ‘Sorry it’s taken so long to contact you but just to let you know your expert training worked and we had an amazing holiday in Croatia! We managed some good sailing with decent wind at the end of the holiday and motor sailed as well. I’ve enclosed some photos as proof. Thank you again for all your help!’ [space_20]

John Williams reports; ‘Just come back from a rather brutal Fastnet race. At least we finished in good order which is more than happened last time when we lost the mast and had to ditch the rig north of the Scillies.
For a feel of the washing machine conditions at the Needles, search on YouTube for ‘Fastnet 23 Hurst’. Average windspeed 30 kts+, wind against tide, raining and standing waves. One of the toughest races even with a solid 48′ boat and a dry suit!
There were 86 retirements in the first 12 hours and a lot more than that before the end. One boat sank, 3 lost their rigs and a lot of crew injuries. And we do this for fun?’ (shown here with his son, checking out his inheritance!)

Nick Berry, brother to Craig, also reports from the Ionian islands; ‘We’ve had a wonderful week and we’ve made it back in one piece, unscathed! The first couple of days were challenging with high winds and getting to grips with the boat but we all improved as the week went on which was very satisfying! We’re already talking about when we can do it again so that must be a good sign. Thanks for your time and help introducing us to sailing.’ (Nick must be conscious of brother Craig’s ‘poster boy’ image from earlier this year)

Justin Hoskins continues; ‘Day one of our passage took us north west from Whitehaven up to East Tarbet Bay, a sheltered and isolated anchorage in Luce Bay just east of the Mull of Galloway. Leaving Whitehaven at the first HW on 9 August meant that we arrived by mid-afternoon, having motored through light airs for most of this leg. Anchoring was straightforward and we enjoyed good shelter, affording us plenty of opportunity for a good meal and a decent night of sleep.

Day two necessitated slipping anchor shortly after 6am in order to get to the tip of the Mull of Galloway at HW when the tidal streams are at their most benign. The day did not start well!!

To start with, our anchor chain kept jumping out of the teeth on the electric windlass and slipping back into the water, a problem that was eventually solved by slowly bringing it up a meter at a time with one foot pressed firmly to the top of the chain and the helmsman keeping the boat in constant reverse at low revs. The second issue that we faced was that the newly installed chart plotter (with our Navionics route pre-installed) and electronic compass that had worked perfectly well the day before would not switch on. Fortunately, we had an iPad with the same route pre-installed and also some good old fashioned analogue paper charts as well, all of which was great but did not provide us with the real-time depth information that would have been so reassuring to have. The third challenge (which compounded the aforementioned problem with the electronics) was that visibility was very poor.

It was therefore with some trepidation that we set off round the Mull, our strategy being to follow the planned in-shore route but to head further out into the North Channel if the conditions we experienced did not seem conducive to a safe passage. That first hour going round the Mull certainly kept us all vigilant, and for a time we were concerned that the then prevailing wind direction and our close proximity to land might put us at risk of becoming too easily stranded on a lee shore should our engine fail. As a precaution, we therefore adjusted our course to move a little further out from land but as we rounded the Mull and started to head north visibility improved, a steady south easterly wind of 10-15 knots set in and we were able to get the sails up and make exceptionally good time (sometimes hitting nearly 9 knots boat speed) as we sailed up past Port Patrick and towards the entrance to Loch Ryan, no doubt helped by favourable tidal streams. Nothing was said on the boat about our experience earlier in the day but I suspect that Peter and Shaun shared my relief and increasing sense of excitement as we headed up the beautiful Scottish coastline. By the time we had got past Loch Ryan, visibility had greatly improved and we had a thoroughly enjoyable run round to Troon (our final destination for the day), comfortably arriving during daylight hours thus making the entrance into the marina a relatively straightforward affair.

Troon proved to be a useful stopping place for getting an engineer to fix our electronics and was also a convenient hop-off point for Shaun who needed to get back home to meet his wife for their planned wedding anniversary meal that evening.

Sailing with just Peter on day three was pleasant with favourable winds all the way. The biggest challenge of the day was deciding when and how much to reef in, especially as we took the course between Great and Little Cumbrae where the wind at times was gusting to around 25 knots (I think Peter liked the ease with which we were able to reef with my in-mast furling main). It was only when we passed Inverkip that we took our sails down, prepared our lines and fenders and started looking for the marked channel that would eventually lead us to James Watt Dock Marina, our final destination.

Reflecting on my experience, I am so glad that I spent the time I did on developing the passage plan. OK, it took me a long time but the planning paid off and hopefully with more time and experience I’ll get quicker at these things. Oh and I’m pleased that I had paper charts and almanacs on board too – electronics are great….. when they work!! And finally, thank you Melvyn, Peter and Shaun for a great experience.’ 

Own Boat Tuition & Courses

What happens when there are two Day Skippers onboard. Ask Jo & Adrian of Dawn Sky how they manage with one tiller between them. If you have your own boat and would prefer private tuition or an RYA course then these are possible. Your boat would need to be acceptable course and a daily rate for an instructor would be quoted.  

This is why I’m in the Sailing Business

Sailing Today Podcasts

Try these Podcasts Sailing Today Podcasts.

Reader’s Links

A section featuring links of a maritime interest sent to me.

Donna gives a clear picture of how she felt as an ordinary person coming to her RYA Day Skipper Practical Course; Donna Sail

Steve Austin has uploaded this video of our 2018 Adventure sailing a traditional Dutch flat bottomed boat

Phil Butler highlights the unexpected and rapid shift in Earth’s Magnetic Field.

Phil Butler again with very useful advice on mal de mer. Seasickness 

Peter MacLaren mentioned this article about a Yacht Delivery Skipper’s Life.

Peter Chater has found a remarkable way of plugging a failed seacock – with a carrot! Sea Cock Repair

Peter Chater sent this one about a fisherman suing as a result of a collision Fisherman Sues

Peter Chater again – ‘How about this for a large yacht collision’  Antigua 

Nigel Hierons saw this news item about a flare  Flare in recycling explodes

Franek Richardson sent this  Time Lapse

Phil Butler mentions the two women rescued after 5 months at sea in the Pacific.

Stuart Porter took and posted this great dolphin display, quite the best I have seen North Sea Dolphins 

And finally from myself, try this one for a Broach    

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Sail Safely the RYA Way 🙂