December 2024

December’s News On and Off the Water 

2 RYA Inspectors

My Chief Instructor John Parlane was unable to carry out my annual RYA Inspection this time as he’s now ‘gamekeeper turned poacher’. This is how I met John originally and, to put it delicately, we didn’t quite ‘hit it off together’. Now all has changed, very much for the better, but a problem was created even more when the RYA appointed inspector had a bereavement and was unavailable. At short notice Rob Mutlow stepped in and both of them virtually took over the show and I was largely redundant. Here they are on the school boat the 12.3m Sun Odyssey 419 Pure Gallus, except at the end when an unforeseen inspection of my VHF training room in Heaton was needed. I could then get rid of 5 years of SRC Assessment paperwork in the re-cycler. I’m pleased to say I was passed without stipulations for my Training Centre as well as the VHF.

Meet the Team

Melvyn Wallhead, Yachtmaster & RYA Shorebased Instructor. I started this business in 2009, 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. 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’.

John Parlane, RYA Yachtmaster Instructor & Examiner. ‘I learnt to sail dinghies back in the ’80s in Morecambe Bay. My first trip on a cruising yacht was across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man – at night time! A few years later, I bought a small yacht and developed a lasting love of the Scottish West Coast. I became a sail cruising instructor in 2006, working for several companies in the Firth of Clyde and began teaching RYA theory courses at home in Morecambe. My list of instructor qualifications has grown each year, to include ‘Advanced Powerboat’ and ‘Senior Keelboat’ Instructor. I started Bay Sea School in Morecambe in 2012 to provide Keelboat courses for adult beginners’.

Steve Lovett, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has a wealth of experience, including sailing with Nothumbria Sailing 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.

Elaine Beauchamp Yachtmaster. ‘ I started sailing several years ago on flotilla holidays, as many of us do. When I moved north to Berwick-upon-Tweed, I decided to redo my Day Skipper, which is when I found Northumbria Sailing! Since then, I’ve progressed through to Yachtmaster Coastal, gaining experience sailing on the Scottish West Coast; South East coast and the Solent’.

Update on Courses & Trips

‘Educate rather than cram – a lesson; Most academic programmes focus on force-feeding knowledge rather than releasing curiosity. The result? We know some things – but we lose what’s most vital: the love of learning. In one study of a top university, the highest scoring graduates were given the same final exams one month after graduation. All of them failed – Cramming seldom gets past short term memory.’

Trying to decide between Face2Face and Online? Here are some considerations & comparisons;

Face2Face                                                   Online

Cost                                                                                             Cheaper initially, possible out of time increase   

Timetable absence updates                                         Do anywhere/anytime   

Face2Face help                                                                   Remote help                   

Mutual Help e.g. WhatsApp                                        Possible if ID’s known   

Option for Practicals                                                       None       

Marine Items Handling                                                   None       

Visit to Pure Gallus                                                            None       

Revision Screenshots                                                       None       

Experiences/other subjects exchange                  None       

Distance problem                                                              None, only WiFi availability        

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 a star globe, five sextants, one new lightweight metal, one plastic & two old brass, for you to handle. A practical session is included. Cost £625 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’.  Try this link from a former Royal Navy officer relating his experience navigating by the stars for real whilst sailing down to the Falklands 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. Prices at 2024 levels for early bookings;  Provisional dates for Spring 2025; January 13, 20, 22 & 27th, February 3, 10 & 17th, March 5, 10, 12, 17, 24 & 31st, April 7th + 2 reserve dates April 2nd & 9th (the Course takes a long time to do properly) Thornley has just successfully completed his back-to-back with his Day Skipper Theory; ‘I wanted to do this now otherwise it would have taken time to get back to speed again‘.

RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for so many over many years. Saturday classes, 0930 – 1430 (possible early finish match days). Nice and cosy in a spacious modern building in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Cost £575. Next Course;  January 18 & 25th, February 1, 8 & 15th, March 1, 8 & 15th.   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. Mario’s Journey

Skills Centre

It’s now some 15 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

Face2Face Theory

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 

Online

COLREGS EXPLAINED Feel safer at sea by knowing the Rules, especially in the River Tyne where we share the same water as the big ships. Via Zoom I will deliver the essentials across a two hour period on a weekday evening. There will be one for daytime scenarios and one for nights where correct interpretation of lights is essential. Failing to keep a proper lookout can be a criminal offence with up to two years inside. Each session will be backed up with screenshots and via Zoom you will have the opportunity to discuss. Sessions are 1915 – 2115hrs and cost £30 each, enabling one or both to be taken. 

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, delivered by Zoom across three evenings, will attempt to throw some light on this important subject. Three two hour evening Zoom sessions in March

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

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

Practical

YACHTMASTER SKILLS Are you a Yachtmaster already or an aspiring one and wish to hone your skills under the guidance of an RYA Examiner? This three day Course could put you to the test on a twin wheeled Sun Odyssey 419 sailing out of Royal Quays, an area often referred to; ‘if I can sail off the North East Coast of England I can sail anywhere’. You will already have a good RYA Day Skipper practical at least, meaning the certificate and varied, logged, sea miles.  Prices £550 & £650.

SKIPPER SKILLS Another short 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. Next dates; Provisionally April 11+12th.

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.

Yorkshire Adventure

June or July 

We sail south in 2025 and tackle two tidal ports, aiming for Whitby, this superb destination with loads of atmosphere, fish and chips, pubs, and more pubs, all within walking distance of the marina. Probably Hartlepool on the way with its tricky drying approach channel. This is the first announcement, dates haven’t been finalised yet so we could fit in with demand. There and back will be four days in total. Prices vary according to bunking, but from £250.

PRACTICAL COURSES

All local courses take place on the school boat, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 12 metre built less than 8 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, £450 across two weekends. Next Course; March 21 – 23rd 2025. ‘We would like to say a thank you to you and Steve. We’ve had a brilliant few days. Steve is a great teacher and was so lovely and patient.’ – Jill

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 five persons onboard plus the instructor, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £495 alone, £350 each sharing, weekday, £595 (£450 sharing) weekends, Saloon; with limited stowage, £395 (495). Forecabin with ensuite; £375 (475) each for two sharing or £650 (750) alone, when available. ‘Your course was exactly what I wanted and I certainly feel more confident about a number of things.  You explained things very clearly and all the repetition was helpful.’ – Gill .

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 £695 (cabin sharing, £650 each). Or see Practical Crewing above. Both April & May are full. ‘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. Where’s Your Ticket?

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 £750. Ask for more details if you possess the pre-quirements linked above. Both April & May are full. ‘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 If you are interested in this course and meet with the Pre-Quirements then email.

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.

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 2024 season. Cost £80 weekday & £95 weekend. ‘When you book a novice sailing course such as this online, without a personal recommendation, there’s a concern over what you’ve going to get and a resolve to walk away if it doesn’t look right. From the start everything was great, the yacht was clearly built for much greater challenges than we were going to face, and in excellent condition. Melvyn made us welcome and crewing for Elaine was a pleasure, delivering the right combination of tuition, discipline and fun. If you want an introduction to sailing, this is where to start. All overlooked by a statue of Admiral Collingwood, so there’s a reassuring reminder of a great seafaring history too.’ – Tod  

TASTER@SEA  The successor to the popular RYA Start Yachting Course, as above. Easier and more flexible to arrange dates and prices are similar to last year’s RYA Start Yachting. This Course will follow the RYA syllabus, but without the certificate. A two day course for beginners which can be the ‘start’ of greater things. You live onboard for two days and may 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 £300 sharing & from £295 single.   

Liam; ‘The group have enjoyed an excellent day of learning and development. The course was expertly delivered by you and we take value from the experiences you shared. How to sail and to eventually progress to RYA Day Skipper’ 

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 

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. 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.  Cost £125 plus £76 for the RYA. Also available One to One at £195 and online at £95 to include manual. Assessment £76 extra. Certificate Fastrack available.  Next sessions; December 14th, 18th & March 4th. Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio  and RYA Online VHF video Sarah; ‘Many thanks Melvyn, great to meet you yesterday and a really good course’.  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 11 to RYA. Next Course; March 6th ‘Thank you very much for yesterday’s course’ – Stephen

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. Alternatively this can be done on your own engine on a One2One basis. (cost £350 to include reasonable travelling expenses)

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. Next session; March 27th.  RYA Diesel Engine

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 seafarer for, at sea, you may need to administer yourself. You will be actively involved in this Course, which is practically orientated. Cost £110 plus £8.50 for the Pack. Next session; March 25th First Aid Certificates   

PERSONAL SURVIVAL. A must for all fit and healthy seafarers over the age of 16. The RYA Basic Sea Survival Course is unavailable in the North East, but this is the STCW equivalent and an accepted substitute by the RYA. The Course is delivered by Tyne Coast Maritime College in their Pool at South Shields on the banks of the River Tyne to educate in the ability to survive at sea after vessel abandonment. Cost £250. Next Session; February 19th. Wet in the Pool ‘I found the personal sea survival course very useful.  Hopefully I will never need to use this knowledge but it helps to know how to launch, handle and manage the life raft should it ever be required. The course was very professionally delivered and the practical in the pool was very well organised and the instructors very attentive. With 3 experienced instructors (2 in the pool) it felt safe, despite the final test being in the dark, with water sprays and simulated waves. The morning session was obviously tilted towards larger vessels but there was useful information about flares, electronic alert systems and cold water shock also applicable to users of small boats. It was challenging and quite exhausting but definitely worthwhile. The facilities were good, the classroom was a little cold but otherwise fully recommended’. David

Life on the Mud

Rod Elwood is currently studying his RYA Day Skipper Theory with my evening class, and he produced this book written by his mother, Rosalind Elwood. He lent it to me and I read through eagerly, it’s a fascinating book, well written complete with humour. Mum tells of a mud berth life onboard a converted Dutch fishing botter in Essex (an area I know having spent over three hours grounded at Brightlingsea, life onboard at a 30 degree tilt). I sometimes had to resort to the Internet for explanations e.g. ‘tricing line’. It’s a fascinating read, can you imagine bringing up two small children onboard a boat. I hope to meet Dad, still around at 99, sometime for a sequel. Botter Living

Update; Dad, Roy, has been met and he deserves a write up for himself

Vouchers Accepted

I received a request; ‘do you accept vouchers?’ – yes I do and this, for £100, was used to pay towards a VHF Course and I claim the money back from the RYA.

Victims (All) at Sea

Mike Pearson has finally taken the plunge and bought a rather nice looking Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, only 2 years old

The Dollerys, Rachel & Paul  have been sailing a Hanse 460 out of Split. Over to Rachel herself; ‘You will be proud of me. I was at the helm when it was tippy tippy’. A lot of water has gone under the keel since they sailed out of Seahouses.

I bumped into Iain Mumford in Royal Quays just as he was about to set off to Sunderland marina where he’s keeping his newly acquired Sigma 362, Ceilidh of Oban. Being a helpful guy I offered assistance out of his finger berth. Iain hesitated and then refused, saying; ‘if I make a mess of it I don’t want to appear in your Newsletter!’ This is the affect I have on people!

Iain Macaulay had on his bucket list a visit to les Sables d’Olonne  in South Brittany, to see the start of the famous Vendee Globe, the one which Ellen MacArthur won in 2005. To check the current leaders. 

This is why I’m in the Sailing Business

Podcasts

Try these Podcasts Sailing Today Podcasts.

Robin Knox-Johnson on his Round the World in a 32 foot ketch well worth a 56 minute listen 

Reader’s Links

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

For vessel traffic on the Tyne try NormTyneShips on YouTube.

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    

Try me on Facebook for lots more images Facebook

Follow @northumbriasailing

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