The Leading Provider of Sail Cruising Courses in North East England
December Newsletter
‘In little vessels there is joy, in large vessels there is travail and perplexity.’ – Ernest K Gann – Pilot, Sailor & Author
Pontoon F, Royal Quays Marina
I seem to have a fine collection of victim’s boats with me on Pontoon F. Starting from the gangway first there’s my Lian, a Hallberg Rassy 36 used for Northumbria Sailing’s training. Now being stripped for winter and ready to move into the boatyard for annual maintenance.
Next in line is Oran Salehy’s Hallberg Rassy 31 Sand Dancer expertly restored since he bought her earlier this year. Indeed it has already set a standard for the pontoon and ‘encouraged’ the rest of us to get out polishing.
Just arrived is Mark Batey with his newly acquired Jessie, brought from the Crinan canal in Scotland. Little does he know that he will have an appointment with the F Pontoon Interview Panel shortly! (we like to maintain our standards here). The new love in Mark’s life is a Moody 336 and she looks good and roomy.
Then, of course, there’s Emre Yilmaz with his Bavaria 36, easily recognisable by the passarelle (boarding ladder) unique in the marina. Emre’s exploits on Wishful are well known to readers of this Newsletter. He’s adventurous and likes to emerge in winter, often sailing single handed to Amble.
There are now about 11 boats berthed at Royal Quays marina owned by victims who have successfully taken an RYA Theory or Practical Course with Northumbria Sailing. This doesn’t take into account the VHF, ICC and other one day course berth holders also there.
Learning in LuxuryHere’s Rodney clearly enjoying his tuition in excellent surroundings. Where? – The Lock café at Royal Quays, where he can have his capuccino and snack lunch whilst taking his RYA Day Skipper Theory with myself. He’s just the first of a number waiting for similar treatment, a real luxury during inclement winter months. Next in line are Craig and Diamuid (Dermot)
Britain by BoatA MUST WATCH documentary on Friday evenings, Channel 5. The first episode was 23rd November.
Michael Buerk, Newsreader, and John Sargeant, famous for his appearance in Strictly Come Dancing, team up to sail round Britain. Starting from Lowestoft, a port I know well, in a large restored 50 foot sailing yacht they had their adventures, unbelievably, just outside the port’s pier ends when the engine failed! A series I am much looking forward to.
Miriam and Phil live onboard their boat in St Peter’s marina and successfully carried out their training course with me. They had some credit left over and seeing as they hadn’t taken their boat out of the marina in the two years since they bought it, I thought I would have a go and help them.
Now their boat, Someday, is a large old yacht, roomy to live in but not the easiest to manoeuvre! With pressed crew Nigel I took extra warps and fenders, but omitting what would have been the most useful, a lead line to check the depth. It was High Water, but neaps, and we grounded just outside the berth. There’s no depth sounder onboard and the draught was uncertain anyway. Don, from the marina, towed us back in. No images here of an RYA Instructor being grounded…
Not to be thwarted we waited a couple of weeks for a springs high water at a civilised time. Nigel hadn’t been put off by the previous antics and he was delegated to check depths using the lead line. This time we were indeed successful and Miriam took the helm and away we went out into the river, up to the Millennium Bridge and back into berth again before the tide sank to perilous levels. Happy days! Liz King in Storms
Liz has just completed her Ocean Qualifying passage prior to her Oral Examination in a week’s time, with the same Examiner as Rob and hopes to follow him as Ocean Yachtmaster. Liz is a very experienced ocean sailor but this passage took her by surprise. From North West Spain to Madeira she reports;
‘Whoa!!! Back in “civilization” if you can count a volcano in eastern Atlantic as civilization. Currently moored in Porto Santo near Madeira after a rough, 700no crossing. 5m swell and F7 – phew… Amazing sleigh ride. We spent my birthday racing south to escape the “rough/very rough” sea states. All pales into insignificance after the first beer…
After a horrible, uncomfortable and frankly dangerous night, at 03.00hrs we decided to leave our alongside berth in Porto Santo harbour and go and anchor in the middle of the basin. A manoeuvre made even more exciting by the gearbox deciding to jam in reverse…!!!!’ Mine in 2012 from Spain to the Canaries was a lot easier. 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.
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.
Farnes and Forth in June 2019
Spurred by my attempts last year to see the Farnes, for which I bought a new outboard engine, and John Taylor’s exploits, see below, I am looking to take Lian up that way next summer. If the weather is right, then this could be a great Adventure as the tides will be favourable then. Using the school boat has the advantage of keeping the costs down and enjoying the stability and luxury of a Hallberg Rassy. Cost £425 Provisional dates; June 1st – 8th or 15 – 22nd Kintyre & Crinan Adventure in May 2019
A stunning Adventure round the Mull, going through the notorious Corryvrechan and relaxing in the Crinan canal. This will be one you will remember for a very long time.
If all goes to plan, and understandably it’s an ‘if’, we are aiming to set off from Largs on 11th May on passage for; picturesque Lochranza – sheltered Campbeltown – the notorious Mull of Kintyre – whisky Islay – Colonsay Island – Corryvrechan (outside whirlpool time) – the idyllic Crinan Canal – the narrow Kyles of Bute & then finally Largs.
The chartered yacht is 13 metres in length, commissioned in 2010
May 11 – 18th with costings depending upon the berth and from £625. (FULL)
I hope you enjoy this Newsletter and you can ask me to e-mail it to you monthly
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
In my day there was a choice between an evening class or correspondence and I actually did my Day Skipper Theory twice. First by correspondence and later by evening class as I wasn’t convinced that I knew the subject as well as I wanted, even though I had passed.
The Local Authority Evening Class had a cost subsidy so was cheap, but a large class, perhaps 20+, and set in school. The large number prevented the instructor from giving personal attention and proceeded at a set pace and it was up to you to keep abreast, or fall away. Over two terms as well, the class seemed to go on forever and was a real struggle to go out on a November evening into a basic, school, setting.
The Local Authority classes seem to have expired leaving, realistically, class, private or online. The RYA is developing a part online Course as an option and some schools provide their own version.
You can now choose which suits you best and factors you may wish to consider are:
If you live so far away you will probably only have the online option or a residential Fastrack
There are some subjects which, in my opinion, are difficult to learn online. Chartwork principally, but also tides and time zones. I have seen many instances of the correct answer being produced with chartwork, but quite the wrong drawing.
Online multi choice, as one victim put it ‘I could see that by clicking an option I would be allowed through, but couldn’t understand why’.
Most of my victims haven’t done anything like this for many years and need time to assimilate together with explanation, not just given another paper to try.
Learning in company creates friendships, crewing opportunities, and a bit of laughter
I have a warm and comfortable room in a modern building in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne with unrestricted street car parking at hand
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 £475 or £725 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. Next class starts January
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £450 for class & £650 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Winter Class; Wednesday evenings & two Saturdays; January 9, 16, & 30th February 6, 9, 13 & 27th March 6, 13, 16, 20, 27 & 28th
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. Winter Evening/Saturday Class; January 14, 19, 21 & 28th February 4, 11 & 25th March 4, 9, 11, 18 & 25th
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 £625 (£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
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. Join any of the four at £25 each or £90 for all four. Each session takes place 6 – 9pm at Heaton; Session 1 will be Day Skipper level with tides at standard ports. Session 2 will be advanced with secondary ports, Session 3 Tidal streams. Session 4 will go through examples and homework set from previous sessions. Also to be explored are the less common e.g tidal coefficients 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, 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.
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. Cost £275, weekday only. Next Courses; April 24-26th (FULL), May 7 – 9th
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 & £70 weekend. 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. 31st March – 5th April and 28th April – 3rd May. June – September dates under preparation. Course ReviewRYA 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 £625. Next Courses; 31st March – 5th April and 28th April – 3rd May. June – September dates under preparation. ‘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’. Cost £625 Jonny Colwell gives a detailed review of his YM ExaminationRYA 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 View from the Monkey Deck
Do you know that passages can booked on large, ocean going, ships? If you are lucky you may get a large cabin all to yourself and a view not obscured by 1,000’s of containers!
This is what Clive Wilkinson, who lives in Northumberland, did and even wrote a book about it; ‘Reflections from the Monkey Deck – Cruising the World by Freighters’. It’s an excellent read and more information can be obtained by checking him out on Facebook Clive has used CruisePeople and found them ‘friendly and efficient’, but early booking is important e.g. 18 months to 2 years ahead to get a higher up cabin without a blocked view. 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
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
Royal Quays Friday & Gosport One Day Later!
Bet you didn’t know how fast the school boat Lian is??
Have a look at this screenshot of the AIS taken one day after I had left the boat in Royal Quays, North Shields.
An important reminder as to the accuracy of AIS. One of two things could have happened as the Gosport position was clearly wrong. Either the signal had been ‘spoofed’ or misreported.
In the case of the latter some explanation of how AIS operates is needed. The AIS signal is picked up by the operator allocated a sector and this is relayed to the central computer. There are several web sites but Marine Traffic, based in Athens, is the leader. Click for more information. Marine Traffic GQ
It would seem this has been misreported somehow and was corrected when next turned on. The misreport was probably the Gosport sector as I know the local guy, a victim, and it wasn’t him. Or perhaps I was just trying to mislead wife as to my whereabouts 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. Next Courses; Daytime; 12th December. Evenings; January 11+18th. Also available One to One at £180 and online at £85 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £25
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. Cost £120 plus £10 for the RYA Pack. Maximum 6 persons. Next Session; 22nd March 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 £95 plus £28.50 (includes instruments) for the RYA Pack. Online Navigation
A section to draw attention to accidents and what we can learn from them
Cloudesley Shovell (1650-1707)
*oil on canvas
*127 x 101.5 cm
*March 1702 – January 1705
Britain’s Biggest Naval disaster
1707 saw a legendary tragedy where over 1500 seamen lost their lives.
Sir Cloudesley Shovell, the Admiral of the Fleet, was returning to England from action against the French in the siege of Toulon. Approaching home waters a meeting was called onboard his flagship, HMS Association, to consider exactly where they were. The majority opted for just off Ushant, but a lone voice claimed they were three hours sailing off the Isles of Scilly. The majority view was accepted and the fleet of about seven ships sailed straight into the Scillies, a notoriously difficult area. Many ships were lost, together with over 1500 seamen. HMS Association reportedly went down in four minutes, with all 800 hands and Sir Cloudesley.
In those days, of course, there was no GPS and ships had to rely on Deduced Reckoning and it was also suggested they had forgotten about compass variation (These were the days well before Northumbria Sailing!).
A full report can be checked out here. Scillies Shipwreck.
Victims (all) at Sea
Peter Fall looks like making a remarkable change of direction with acquiring Onyva, a Linnsen Dutch Sturdy 380 currently on the Canal du Midi; ‘This is our new holiday home in the South of France. Two double cabins, two en-suite heads (with electric flushing loos!) dining area, galley, saloon, in and outside steering positions, teak decks including a sizable aft sitting area. On the technical size she has twin Volvo 129bhp engines, heating, air-con, radar and chart plotter and on the ‘facilities side’ 2 bikes, portable elec. generator, jet wash, etc etc. Well kitted out. A whole different world to Arabesque and the North Sea.
Our plan is to sail her up through the French canals to the English Channel over the next 3 years. After that, who knows but there’s a lot of European inland waterways from the channel to the Black Sea.’
Peter plans to keep Arabesque for a while.
Richard and Angus had a lot of prep before taking their wives off on a holiday with them. Sounds like it was worth it though; ‘Just to say thanks from Richard and I, for our couple of days on the Tyne.
It set us up well for our Greek Flotilla holiday. We survived the Kefalonia earthquake and 24 knot winds.’
Colin Graham seems to have deserted the yachtie world and gone over completely to fishing, and in a big way.He and his family are well remembered for the frantic time we had together on a 5 day RYA Course. One of his boats is Blueye and I can follow his posts on Facebook, for example; ‘Fishing gear tagged – hopefully the Navy leave moi alone down time only cost ya – new fishing regs for 2019 all undersize fish except codlings & few others I think – has to be landed dead or alive fecken disgrace expect us to front it out our quota it’s like saying to taxi driver you have to give 20 fares free charge every day or u get fined or jailed – one for anglers to think about sitting there all day 2020 catching cold 😠 well rant owa piers ooooot ⚓️⚓️’ !!
John Williams, who must be one of the most experienced and adventurous sailors residing (sometimes) in the North East, taking over from Scott Cowper, gives his latest report; ‘I’ve just come back from the Middle Sea Race which starts and finishes in Valletta, Malta and takes in the Straits of Messina, an anticlockwise circuit of Sicily and a number of other islands giving a course of a nominal 603 nm length.This year part of the fleet including us, when near the island of Stromboli, were hit at night by squalls involving severe electrical storms. As is usually the case with these things the wind increases very rapidly and also changes direction. Visibility in the violent rain is almost zero, the closeness of the lightning is disorienting and keeping the boat under the mast without involuntary gybing is difficult. Even with the best of intentions and an experienced crew we still lost the A3 (Medium size asymmetric spinnaker). Personally I was glad not to lose the rig. Anyway the reason I mention this is that I see from a recent news item https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-46099803/yacht-fire-rescue-after-thailand-lightning-strike there was a charter yacht in Thailand that was completely destroyed by a fire started by a lightning strike.
I don’t know if any of your readers have been involved in one of these squalls as they are often seen in warm water areas but apart from the obvious of getting the sails down early (our excuse was we were racing and consequently hung onto the big sails far too long) the following US boating site has some useful advice on what precautions the prudent cruiser might take to avoid damage from such strikes https://www.sail-worldcruising.com/n/Ten-Tips-to-prepare-for-a-lightning-strike-on-a-sailing-boat/84108’ Rob and Faye report; ‘Faye and I recently got back from our first flotilla in Greece, it was brilliant! So happy that I’d spent the time with you on the crew course as it meant that there was plenty to put into practise! Light winds made the sailing experience intermittent, but the great weather and a good book meant that Faye could enjoy the bits when we could sail, but the great weather and a good book meant that Faye could enjoy the bits when we could sail, but relax in the sun when it was calmer and I’m staring endlessly at my sail trim. Given that the question of whether we can go and do it again next Easter has already been raised, and not by me, I’d say it’s been a resounding success. Thanks for your guiding hand so far and look forward to extending it in the New Year!’
Rob was a capable and sensitive crew for the Ashes Scattering, appreciated by all.
Peter White sent this image; ‘ Should this considered a hazard to Mariners?
Thankfully we were sailing West and it was going East. We were about 3 miles off Turkey it was about 8 miles. Sharp increase in wind for an hour during a previously still day. Never seen one before, do not want to see one again. Tight sheets. ‘
Mario finally took the plunge taking his virgin skippering on the Clyde out of Largs. His Polish crew didn’t look too good at the end of it though! Mario had Storm Ali to contend with but still visited Port Bannatyne, Lochranza and Tarbert in great sailing conditions. As you can see, he has the hat now, but may need a larger size appropriate to a skipper! I had a good debrief with Mario and praised him for his good decisions and ability to rectify boat defects.
Rob Langley – Norway to Iceland – the hard way. Lots of people visit Iceland by Easy Jet nowadays for the stunning scenery, the northern lights, and the city life in Reykjavik – even the beer is surprisingly good. Not many do it by sea, but Rob Langley did, sailing on a 60 foot former Clipper yacht. After studying on the Ocean Theory course with us, Rob went on to pass his celestial navigation exam. This summer he sailed 700 miles from just south of Bodo in Arctic Norway to Seydisfjordur in eastern Iceland, keeping a dead reckoning, taking sun sights and meridian sights with his sextant every day, and plotting his position the old fashioned way. Now he has written up his “Qualifying Passage” and applied for the oral examination to qualify as an Ocean Yacht Master. We wish him success and good luck in the exam and with his future plans to sail across Biscay to the Canaries and the Mediterranean. Rob is now a proud Ocean Yachtmaster, the ultimate accolade
John Taylor sailing under the Forth Rail Bridge. Setting off from Alnmouth he’s had an interesting journey calling at Eyemouth, Dunbar and Granton to name but few. An idea for a Northumbria Sailing Adventure in 2019. ‘The River Aln Boat Club this year decided to cruise further afield than usual to visit Edinburgh. The task was allocated to John Taylor, a recent Coastal Skipper Victim. The aims were to develop sailing skills and to introduce new and recent Club recruits to cruising (sailing yachts you can sleep on). The passage plan allowed a week for the full trip but was designed to allow crew to join for just a day or so en route.
Seven boats took part over the August bank holiday week. The main convoy left Alnmouth in beautiful afternoon sunshine on Friday 24th and were joined by boats from Amble for the first short leg to Low Newton where they anchored in the bay for a rather rocky night in the waves. Day 2 saw them reach the shelter of Eyemouth harbour after rough weather off Holy Island. Another Victim, Bren Arrowsmith’s, roller reefing needed the attention of a couple of acrobats. The next stop was Dunbar harbour with its lovely setting and historic harbours and castle. Then a rough trip via Bass Rock for an evening arrival in Granton, near the centre of Edinburgh, just in time for a late fish and chip supper. The next day some boats explored the north of the Firth of Forth while the main convoy set off for a dramatic sail through the three bridges to the scenic setting of Blackness with its historic and much filmed castle. There they were welcomed by Blackness Boat Club who provided free facilities, a hot supper and a wee dram. The next morning one of the company set off in a dinghy to go further upriver to Stirling and the rest took advantage of the ebb tide to return through the bridges as the sun rose behind them. On return to Granton John’s boat was found to be damaged but was jury-rigged on the spot. That evening the Royal Forth Yacht Club provided a home made curry for a last convoy supper before leaving Edinburgh. Thursday was back to Dunbar for an evening barbecue and to pick up new crew. The plan for Friday was Holy Island but heavy weather meant another night in the safety of Eyemouth. The final run on the Saturday was into the cold wind and hence motoring rather than sailing. At a lunch stop in the Farnes the sun came out and good progress was made back for a punctual final sail into Alnmouth Bay or Amble respectively. Everyone got back safely, if a little bruised and tired, after a great experience. RABC hopes to organise a similar trip next year.” Good for them!
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.
Trevor Jefferson, my Chief Instructor, is very much into yacht delivery these days and has now completed his Med delivery to Corfu. 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. Reader’s Links
A new section featuring links of a maritime interest sent to me.
Peter Chater has found a remarkable way of plugging a failed seacock – with a carrot! Sea Cock Repair
Leah Pattison sent this pic of Scarborough during rough conditions. A great view from the top of the Big Wheel!
Peter Chater sent this one about a fisherman suing as a result of a collision Fisherman Sues
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
Try me on Facebook for lots more images Facebook
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