August Newsletter
Northumbria Sailing is back on the water!
‘A sailor’s wonderfully handy about the house.‘ -Dorothy Sayers, mystery author
What a delightful change when compiling this Newsletter as there are several new items as we return to the water. Off the water I am pleased to welcome a new First Aid Instructor, Lynne Jameson, and our first session was successfully delivered at the end of last month.
Spaces on Courses are still available to those able to comply with the safety precautions and restrictions.
New Day Skippers
Finally an RYA Course at the end of last month, twice postponed too. Not as we used to know it though, as it was day sailed out of Royal Quays, without victims staying onboard overnight and all went home each evening, sometimes wet, and one to his campervan after the late night sail. A good standard from victims, all receiving their RYA certificates and shown here in the lock, L to R, Graeme, Glen, Donna & Donal. It’s advisable to check out my Covid-19 precautions here Terms & Conditions. Additional Courses have been put on to deal with the backlog, but not sacrificing safety.
Laury Gratiet 1999 – 2020
It is with much sadness that I report the passing of Laury at only 21 years of age. Laury was seeking RYA qualifications for a career in sailing and I had the privilege of instructing him, in english though not his natural french language. An enthusiastic and personable sailor taken away at such an early age.
John & Helen Taylor were the very first paying practical victims of 2020. Father and daughter. Dad has sailed several times with Northumbria Sailing and is now preparing for his Yachtmaster. John sails out of challenging Alnmouth on Piepowder and Helen has subsequently successfully completed her Day Skipper Practical in the Solent
First Day Trip
Of 2020 and here Donna holds the wheel as a-sailing we go, also with Sarah & Mark. Donna was also in the first batch of Day Skippers as a last minute replacement as Tony Scorer was battling through head seas to bring his new boat back to Royal Quays. Tony actually returned only a couple of hours before the five day course started, but was in no fit state – for anything never mind a five day course!
3 Generations Onboard
For the first time, I think, in the case of Northumbria Sailing. All Smiths here from L to R; James, Rodney, Jo & Adrian, enjoying a private Day Trip last month. Jo & Adrian successfully completed their RYA Day Skipper Theory just before lockdown and seek to finish it off with their RYA Day Skipper Practical in September. Last month they completed their VHF onboard Lian.
Kielder Action
Family sailing action at Kielder on a trimaran with ospreys flying overhead (a record number this year). We stay regularly at Calvert Trust and this was our first time away since February. A great sail with all three of us in the dinghy and no wind instruments too! Calvert Trust do Water Activity Packages to non residents
Sailing Masterclass 2021
July 11 – 13th. A new Course for those who wish the nautical equivalent of a re-tune. Starting from 8pm on 11th July at Royal Quays you will spend two nights onboard Lian under the instruction and close supervision of an experienced Yachtmaster Instructor, Stephen Scott. The Course will end on 13th and during this time you can expect to visit a tidal port and sail just a bit harder than you would expect on a typical RYA Course. Sail trim will also be a feature. Cost £275. Preference will be given to RYA Yachtmasters and Coastal Skippers.
Northumbria Sailing Adventures
For these adventures 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, Amsterdam, Skye circumnavigation and traditional sailing on the IJsselmeer. 2020 Adventures have, sadly, been postponed until 2021.
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.
Mull Adventure 2021
June 9 – 16th 2021 a superb yacht has been reserved for our latest Adventure, a 2008 commissioned 13 metre yacht, Pollyanna, a Dufour 425, sailing out of Dunstaffnage, Oban, a marina with easy access and excellent facilities. There will be a maximum of 6 persons onboard. A larger yacht might be more glamorous and cheaper per head, but is less participatory. We aim to circumnavigate Mull, taking in; sheltered Loch Aline – 
picturesque Tobermory – Staffa & Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave – Tinker’s Hole anchorage opposite Iona – lovely Colonsay Island – Corryvrechan (outside whirlpool time) & then finally Dunstaffnage.
Berth pricing ranges from £675 to £775, excluding a catering ‘kitty’
Meet the Team
I do consider myself fortunate to have such a large bank of experience to call upon
Melvyn Wallhead, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor. I started this business in 2009 partly to justify keeping our rather nice Hallberg Rassy yacht, never expecting the school would grow to the present level. The North East has a long maritime tradition but potential mariners have had to go outside the area or deal with local colleges offering an inflexible ‘service’. I have sailed all over; UK, Med, Europe, Caribbean, Thailand, four continents in all and hope I can encourage others to do the same, without the ‘incidents’.
Trevor Jefferson, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has a long pedigree in teaching with dinghy sailing going back some 40 years and is an RYA Race Trainer. Sail Cruising has been his recent activity with instruction time in Gibraltar and the West Coast of Scotland where he owned a watersports centre.
Steve Lovett, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has a wealth of experience, including sailing with us up to the Shetlands in 2016. Steve lives in Durham and has some 50 years experience on the water ranging from dinghies to cruising yachts in the UK and abroad, including the UK to Rio leg of the Clipper Race in 2013.
Don Gunton, Yachtmaster has extensive sailing experience primarily on the west coast of Scotland. Other trips have included a scary one to Norway with myself onboard. Note ‘scary’ due to the weather. This image is a little old, as is Don, but he’s still willing and able to pass on his knowledge – if I ask nicely!
Stephen Scott, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor now the latest recruit to the Northumbria Sailing team. Stephen has been sailing since childhood and has over 25,000 miles on the water to his name. His likes include; ‘snug remote anchorages and helping sailors improve their skills and increase their confidence.
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
Northumbria Sailing on Zoom
Following my demonstration to the RYA I am pleased to be able to launch Online Courses via Zoom. Two months ago I received authorisation and only a few days later two wanted to go ahead and had completed their FREE trial. In order that anyone thinking of this form of Course can see what it involves I will offer the first hour FREE so a decision can be made whether the format is appropriate. Thus I won’t take any money until after this FREE hour has been completed. At present I will be doing only One2ones in order that I can hone my skills and upgrade my equipment. The Course cannot be as good as with human contact but, in my opinion, this is better than an online course where little or no direct contact is made with the instructor. Online information
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 £495 or £750 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only. The US Navy are teaching sailors Celestial Navigation again as a precaution against cyber attack. US Navy.
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £475 for class & £675 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Since the Course was re-written by Chris Slade, one of my RYA Inspectors, it’s a lot more challenging, but relevant. 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 £425. Autumn class dates for Monday evenings & some Saturdays; October 5, 12, 17 & 19th November 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30th December 5, 7 & 14th. I am collecting names for anyone wishing to take this course in the autumn online via Zoom. The cost would be £325 and probably be delivered in the evenings.
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 £650 (Zoom £525) for Day Skipper, £675 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ (Zoom £575) and £750 (Zoom £650) 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
TIDES In response to demand I’m offering this Course on tides, not RYA Tides, but real UK tides, especially on our North East Coast. Learn how to calculate tidal heights and streams. You will be using Reed’s Almanac and the first session will be for assumed beginners leading to more advanced stuff on the second. Joining is possible for both sessions or just the first and will be at Heaton or The Lock café at Royal Quays, depending on numbers. 0930 – 1400hrs, cost £45 for the first session only or £85 for both.
PRACTICAL COURSES
All local courses take place on the school boat, a quality 36 foot (11.1 metre) Hallberg Rassy, well known for its comfort and steadiness afloat. Properly equipped with modern electronics, the preferred wheel steering and comfortable, recently replaced, bunk cushions you will be well set up to handle whatever may come your way. Courses are fully inclusive, except for a kitty contribution towards drinks onshore. (for 2020 temporary adjustments are necessary)
PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for up to four. 4:1 private tuition and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary and no need to stay onboard overnight. Cost £295, weekday only. Next availability; August 13, 15 & 17th. Also September 21 – 23rd
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 £60 weekday & £75 weekend. Next availability September 29th. 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
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 £595, subject to £50 discount as they are day sails and not catered. Course dates; August 8 – 12th (FULL), 20 – 24th (1 place left), September 14 – 18th (1 place left), October 12 – 16th & April 25 – 30th 2021. 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. Cost £625. 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. An example from one web page; ‘RYA Coastal Skipper Tidal Practical course completion certificate must show the course was conducted in UK tidal waters. For example courses conducted in the Gibraltar & the Mediterranean are not accepted as tidal courses. The ICC qualification alone is not an acceptable qualification. Cost £625 subject to £50 discount as they are day sails and not catered. Course dates; August 8 – 12th (FULL), 20 – 24th (1 place left), September 14 – 18th (1 place left), & October 12 – 16th & April 25 – 30th 2021 (full rate, hopefully). ‘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 COASTAL SKIPPER PRACTICAL The ‘top of the range’ RYA practical course providing greater challenges to get you up to the standard to skipper a cruising yacht safely by day and night. A sample requirement for chartering a yacht on the Clyde; ‘Skippers must hold/be experienced RYA Coastal practical or Yachtmaster practical when sailing within the Clyde. Outwith the Clyde – Yachtmaster practical’. Next Course; April 11 – 16th 2021 (1 place left). Cost £650 Jonny Colwell gives a detailed review of his YM Examination
RYA START YACHTING A two day course for beginner groups, which can be the ‘start’ of greater things. You live onboard for two days and visit another marina, away from Royal Quays. Cost £230.
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Cost £625 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 ICC Guidance
Northumbria Sailing on Video
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
Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed
A Tidal Gauge – but not as we know it
Look at this remarkable tidal gauge which we saw in the Friesians Islands during our sailing of a traditional Dutch flat bottomed boat way back in the happy days of 2019. The problem sailing there are the shallow waters, even for a flat bottomed boat drawing one metre (I still managed to ground it in the IJsselmeer!). Study this cunning design where the arm is at high water. Above the arm are signposts indicating several local marinas and shallow channels. The arm needs to be below the sign for accessibility, as they all are now, but when the water level falls they are eliminated from access starting with the lowest.
Specialist Courses
RYA VHF This important Course is available in class, 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 £115 plus £60 for the RYA. Also available One to One at £180 and online at £95 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Next Class Sessions; October 22nd & November 12th Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
The RYA require you to book your practical examination at the time of enrolling on a Course. Beware of anyone offering this Course without this. RYA Practical 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 £120, plus 10.50 to RYA. ‘Thank you very much for yesterday’s course’ – Stephen
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £30
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 are 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 £120 plus £10 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 £29 (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 £7.50 Pack. Next session November 4th (FULL, but another later in the month). To check which certificates are acceptable to the RYA e.g. for examinations. First Aid Certificates
Victims (all) at Sea
Tony Scorer, ‘We originally left the River Hamble on the 09th July for the trip, but after getting 20 Nm past Portsmouth the engine failed due to contaminated fuel. Once the fuel was polished to remove the diesel bug and water we left Haslar Marina in Gosport on Thursday 16th July at 15:30 and after a 4 day non stop sail we arrived in Royal Quays on Monday 20th July at around 07:00. The trip had a mixture of clear fine weather with rain on the Saturday night and a very lumpy sea. Future took this in her stride and handled the seas very well. Future is a Dehler 36 CWS designed to be sailed short-handed with the powerful electric central winch system and self -tacking Jib.
All was going to plan until we were 7Nm from Tynemouth where we lost all electric instruments including navigation aids. Gladly we could see the Tynemouth light flashing in the darkness so could safely bring her home. She is now moored in her new home at the Royal Quays on the very exclusive F pontoon’. Ths pic was taken just after Tony landed and had to be substituted on the five day Course he was due to take. Berthed just a couple of places next to myself and, sadly, I found his mast just a little bit taller than mine when I climbed my own!
The Butlers. Phil keeps his boat on the Clyde, the World’s best sailing area in my opinion and also Robin Knox-Johnson’s, but has been banned from going there until last month; “My boat ‘Freeway’ was finally launched last Friday 24 July and I took up my two children Patrick and Daisy for a shake down sail. It was Daisy’s first ever sail. I also took along their Grandpa Doug. Just as well as we had rather an eventful weekend! On the Saturday we ventured a tad to close on Loch Long to RN Coulport and RN Faslane and were at first gently ushered away by a police launch and then rather swiftly by the Royal Marines who came dashing out in their rib to warn us off! We had been blindly following and chasing the wind but obviously were too close for comfort!
If you’re ever sailing down Loch Long stick to the NW side and you shouldn’t have any problems. On our way back and about 4 mile from our Marina on Holy Loch our engine refused to start and the wind dropped to about 8/9knots. I remembered instantly what Don and Melvyn had previously told me that a yacht is after all a sailing boat (I think of it as a big dinghy) so we tacked and sailed her towards the marina, dropped the mainsail just outside the entrance, hung a left into the main channel and sailed onto the pontoon just on the jib and without any fuss or drama. Phew! We had made it and once we tied up I tried the engine and of course it started first time! Some nugget had forgotten to push the engine stop all the way down!”
Martin Ritchie sailed in the South Atlantic Clipper Race in 2019
Own Boat Tuition & Courses
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 of course and a daily rate for an instructor would be quoted.
Sailing Today Podcasts
Try these Podcasts Sailing Today Podcasts.
Yacht For Sale
My Chief Instructor, Trevor Jefferson, is on the move and selling his Dorothy Mitchel, asking only £70,000. I expect Trevor will have carefully maintained his onboard living in boat, and himself a reputable and very experienced Yachtmaster Instructor. Try this link to the broker Network Yacht Brokers
Yacht Skippering
There are times when you might feel that your ‘ticket’ and/or experience will not be adequate for a safe holiday. For the last few years I have enjoyed a commission enabling a larger yacht to be chartered and to sail to more adventurous places.
Reader’s Links
A section featuring links of a maritime interest sent to me.
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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