Northumbria Sailing
June Newsletter
Now there are Four
My new Chief Instructor, Trevor, suggested we have an Instructor’s sail. This was quite new to me as there had only ever been two of us! Now that there are four which gives a lot more flexibility on timings and types of sail offered, although if and when victim selection of Instructor happens I might think again…. So, for the first time I offer profiles, but not a beauty contest:
Melvyn Wallhead, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor. I started this business in 2010 partly to justify keeping our rather nice Hallberg Rassy yacht, never expecting it would grow to it’s 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. Newly appointed as my Chief Instructor he will ‘raise the bar’ for Northumbria Sailing instruction standards.
Don Gunton, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has extensive sailing experience primarily on the west coast of Scotland. Other trips have included a scary one to Norway with me onboard. Note ‘scary’ due to the weather. He would probably list sailing to St Kilda as one of his great achievements. Don has been instructing with Northumbria Sailing for a few years and can also do a useful turn in nautical slang due to his previous experience in the Merchant navy.
Malcolm Young, Yachtmaster helps keep our average age down and has come through the ranks with Northumbria Sailing. Malcolm has sailed in the west coast of Scotland, the Caribbean, Med, Norway as well as the North East. Sailing ambitions have to dovetail with running a company but he has already shown his capability of coping with the high winds we have experienced so far this season.
Happy Birthday!
Pam and three friends took a 250 mile round trip from Huddersfield to North Shields for a birthday celebration.
They got it too with a windy return trip to Blyth, during which the wind indicator touched 40 knots.
Skippered by Malcolm they received a real dose of sailing in the wind and are shown here on ‘Lian’s’ foredeck all smiles (of relief perhaps?)
Lifeboat Rescue
Don Gunton was taking an RYA Day Skipper Course in rather windy conditions. Worried as I was about their safety (boat as well of course) a 6pm call from Don said they were safe and secure in Little Haven, off South Shields beach.
For a moment I was re-assured until he revealed they were only too secure i.e. stuck at anchor! The strong wind had dragged the anchor which was now fouled and lots of heaving grunting, and probably swearing, didn’t shift it.
First to the rescue was the Tyne Pilot, with no luck. Next the RNLI RIB and, again, no success. Then the ‘big boy’ arrived as shown and the anchor had no choice then but to oblige and re-surface.
Yacht Orca Collision – One Death
Last year Orca, a Moody S31 yacht, same type as our previous boat, was sailing home towards Harwich, outside the deep water channel. The skipper identified a large dredger 1.6 miles away, which was not on a collision course, and took a toilet break down below. His wife stayed down below and no-one was on watch. The dredger took an unexpected turn out of the deep channel towards Orca, colliding resulting in the wife losing her life. The MAIB Report highlighted that neither vessels were maintaining a proper lookout in what was good visibility.
SPECIAL POINT OF INTEREST The dredger’s Watch Officer thought there was no need to consult his radar as the visibility was good. Orca was clearly visible on his radar had he looked. The Officer was unaware of a blind spot on his ship. Also highlighted was the closing speed and 1.6 miles was too close for a call of nature sacrificing a proper lookout. More information is available on the link Orca
Cheeki Rafiki – Loss of Yacht & 4 lives
On 16 May last year this serious incident resulted in the loss of four yachtsmen and the vessel, a Beneteau First 40.7. Rescue attempts were well publicised and the resulting Report from the Marine Accident & Investigation Branch (MAIB) has just been published and linked below.
I offer my own précis of this Report, the aim of MAIB is to identify and learn lessons, not to apportion blame.
Initially the yacht had crossed the Atlantic to race in Antigua Sailing Week during the winter and was on the return journey to the UK when the disaster happened and was photographed as above, inverted and minus it’s keel.
Groundings; Despite speculation to the contrary the yacht had not grounded in the Caribbean. However the yacht had suffered at least four groundings, two in 2007. (RYA Instructors have been advised not to intentionally ground vessels, as had been the practice to give recovery instruction)
Commercial Coding Certificate; Cheeki Rafiki was Small Commercial Vessel (SCV) coded Category 2 (same as mine) for commercial operations up to 60 miles from a safe haven. It’s use in crossing the Atlantic was due to the unclear maritime rules concerning a vessel’s approach to a race start line. ‘If the voyage is a relocation voyage for commercial purposes, the vessel is almost certainly not being used as a pleasure vessel’, meaning to the start line and not crossing the Atlantic. The return trip, where the incident occurred, had nothing to do with the race and therefore should have been coded accordingly i.e. Category 0. Was this a commercial or pleasure vessel for the voyage? Does ‘directly to or from a race’ mean last port of departure to start line, or any passage to attend the race. The latter would mean Cheeki Rafiki was permissibly out of code.
Code 0 requirements; An annual survey plus another Yachtmaster, Offshore or Ocean, to be onboard.
Trans Atlantic Route; Cheeki Rafiki was taking the fastest with a skipper only 6 months into his certificate and limited ocean experience. The alternative longer route, via Bermuda and the Azores, provides for contingencies.
Weather; the forecast was for high winds, F7, and rough seas, 4.7m wave height. Water ingress was not identified as being from the keel area. With the satellite telephone often switched off communication to the employers was mainly via emails, which didn’t always get through. Detachment of the keel would have resulted in rapid capsize and inversion. This was thought to be keel bolt failure and not a collision with a submerged object.
Safety Equipment; The EPIRB was not float free and did not transmit an emergency alert. The PLB’s needed to be manually operated, and were, but were less effective. The liferaft was not stowed on deck and float free. It was not deployed. All crew must have been fatigued in the conditions, thereby affecting their judgment.
Conclusions of MAIB Report; 1) the historic ‘light’ groundings had affected the keel’s structural stability 2) There was no accessible liferaft 3) No alternative route was planned 3) The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) guidance on certificate coding requires clarification 4) Cheeki Rafiki’s Category 2 coding had lapsed and there had been no survey since 2011 5) No suitably experienced person was onboard to back up the skipper 6) The manual operation of PLB’s, by holding in the required position, would have been difficult.
What do I think? I would not wish to see restrictions on individuals themselves crossing the Atlantic for pleasure, other than any imposed by organisations e.g. ARC. Placing the life or lives of others at risk is a different matter altogether. These serious questions need to be speedily addressed and not at the considered whim of a faceless organisation. The lives of Andrew Bridge aged 22 (skipper), James Male 22 (mate), Paul Goslin 56 & Stephen Warren 52 were lost because Cheeki Rafiki was not up to the job. Many of us will remember the Signature tragedy where two lives were lost, for different reasons, within the Tyne pier walls. Sailing gives a lot of pleasure, is a challenge, but can be a risky operation. Proper preparation of the sailor and a well found boat will help minimise this. Cheeki Rafiki
Update on Courses;
THEORY COURSES
RYA OCEAN YACHTMASTER Explore the wonders of a sextant with Celestial Navigation and Ocean Passage Planning. This ‘top of the range’ RYA theory course can lead to the coveted ‘Ocean Yachtmaster’ ticket. I have four sextants, one new lightweight metal, one plastic & two old brass, for you to handle. I will try and arrange a practical session. Cost £450 or £725 on tailored tuition.
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £395 for class & £595 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Autumn Class, evenings/Saturdays; September 30th, October 7, 14, 21st, November 4, 11, 18, 25th, December 2, 5, 9, 16 & 21st
FASTRACK RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER A new opportunity for those already experienced who wish to by-pass the Day Skipper Course. Basically, It’s the Coastal Yachtmaster Course with some Prep beforehand. More of an individual Course this will probably be one2one, although could be done in class form. Not the cheapest option and not for the beginner, it does have the advantage of flexibility in content and timings. For one2one it would be £575 plus the cost of the Prep.
RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. Maximum 8 to a class and located in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £375. Autumn Class, evenings/Saturdays; September 28th, October 5, 12, 17, 19th November 2, 9, 14, 16, 23 & 30th (Already half full!)
PRACTICAL COURSES
All local courses take place on the school boat, a quality 36 foot Hallberg Rassy, well known for its comfort and steadiness afloat. Properly equipped with modern electronics, the preferred wheel steering and comfortable bunk cushions you will be well set up to handle whatever may come your way. Courses are fully inclusive, except for a kitty contribution to drinks onshore.
PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for three persons. 3:1 private tuition and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary. Cost £265
DAY TRIPS. ‘Taster’ days run throughout the season with the aim of having a pleasant day out on the water. You can see whether yachting is for you at modest cost. Trips operate out of Royal Quays 0930 – 1700hrs. Cost £50 weekday & £65 weekend (maximum 5 customers onboard). Next availability; July 15th
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 £550. 18th July London trip with extra days for same cost, September 20 – 25th 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 £575. September 20 – 25th
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Cost £525 with dates as above. Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations are given for this which will be from £225 for one day, own boat.
YACHTMASTER PREPARATION Following on from the successful session last June, where three new YM’s were delivered, there is to be a repeat format from 11th September. Three days preparation followed by examination by an RYA Examiner for two days. Cost £595 excluding exam fees (2015 rate for YM Coastal £181).
Mileage to & from London
A Mile Building or gentle sail south from North Shields with the aim of arriving in London a week later. You will be sailing on ‘Lian’, enjoying comfort with a grand finale up the Thames past Greenwich and booked to stay the night in St Katharine’s Dock.
The return will be more of a speedy delivery trip ideal for those seeking mileage in the shortest possible time. July 18 – 24th towards London, with the return trip commencing following changeover day on 24th. South going trip cost £550, and return £475. One place left for southbound & still space northbound
Northumbria Sailing on YouTube
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
A new section to dispense sailing tips which you may find useful – not named ‘Tip of the Month’ as this belongs to Rob Storrar, still working long hours even at pension age (I can’t reveal too much as I was in the same year as Rob at school)
Wrong Hour?
Victims (students) often look up tides incorrectly due to selecting the wrong hour. Compare like with like. All the times you see in the Holy Island table and the River Tyne are in winter time.
Do all your calculations in winter time i.e. do not alter the almanac times, and then add one hour to get watch time in summer. If in BST then deduct one hour for winter, calculate, then add one to the answer.
Victims (all) at Sea
David Wylde: ‘Mysti Fly is now in A Coruna. A fairly uneventful 60 hour passage to Gosport (F3-5 North Easterlies, gennaker up passing Sunderland) but we discovered a fractured spreader upon arrival which required a new part to be ordered from France. I’ve yet to find a suitable explanation as to cause.
Whilst waiting for said part the mooring lines of the adjacent boat broke and consequently we suffered £2k of damage to the topsides ! Insurance claim pending. This led to a 2 week delay in departure from Gosport so we consequently omitted our planned stop over in Brest and went straight to A Corunna to get us back on our original programme. 650 mile, 96 hours with only 18 hours on the engine, including a leisurely 2 hour lunch on deck in the middle of Biscay before the wind came back. Biscay was pretty good – big swell but not much chop , generally F4-5 occasional F6, many dolphins and a couple of birds stopping for a rest. Anchor came loose from the bow roller when we were crossing the channel so a bit more damage to sort out but nothing too serious. Home again, next departure 20th June ‘
Andys, Daya, Nigel, Gerard et al on Carmen Maria trying out their new found Day Skipper skills. Newly acquired VHF abilities may also be tested too…….
Sam Nicholson, a new theory Day Skipper, shows what a young man can do by giving up his job and seeking work on a superyacht. He’s now in Antibes looking for work, and we wish him success even though we will be a little envious if he lands a job on a superyacht.
Jane & Ian Ainsworth continue their trip on the eastern waters of the USA. You can follow their blog here Tales of the American Waterways
Remember the two Russians, Konstantin and Alexander?, Following their Course here in rough weather, they set off for Croatia and this year plan to sail the Ionian Islands. You can watch a Russian video of an unfriendly North Sea North Sea
Specialist Courses include;
RYA VHF Still available in class or private tuition. Don’t be caught without a proper licence as you could be fined up to £5,000, plus 6 months inside, plus equipment confiscation – yes it’s very severe! At Northumbria Sailing you will receive tuition one per training set. As you will be assessed for practical skills as well as theoretical I think it’s advisable that you have every opportunity to familiarise yourself with the equipment. Next sessions, Evenings June 2 & 3rd. Cost £110 plus £60 to RYA Also available One to One at £160 and online at £85 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
RYA RADAR Are you safe using your set? Can you properly identify a collision situation? If you have radar you are required to know how to use it properly and could be held responsible if an incident was to occur. Day or two evening courses. Cost £120, plus £9.50 to RYA. Next session 16th June
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £25
RYA Essential Navigation Online. Do this starter course on your own laptop. A good introduction to the theory part of sailing, with yacht or power boat. Cost £95 plus £27 to the RYA
RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Be prepared for all day activity with lots of practical work. Cost £85, £100 with Cat C drug endorsement.
Defibrillator
Defibrillator points are settting up in several public places and you should have been on an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) Course to know how to use one safely. My First Aid Instructor can do this and it would last for half a day and include CPR. Cost £60. Apply for further details.
Arrangements can be made for individual dates for groups at special rates
Crew Wanted – a new section for crewing opportunities
The usual conditions apply, where the crew will pay expenses only and transport to and from the opportunity, unless offered.
JUNE 7/8th from Ardrossan heading up to Badachro in Wester Ross (as far north as Skye); it should arrive on the Thursday or Friday, on a Dufour Gibsea 43. Crew now found
NOTE: I have not inspected this boat nor do I know the owner. Anyone crewing a boat should understand that this is at their own risk. The boat may not meet with the safety standards obligatory on a commercial vessel and the skipper may not have the required experience and qualifications.
RNYC Sailing Directions For Sale
In April I paid £25 for this book at Royal Quays as I couldn’t find my own copy. This has now turned up so am willing to sell this hardly used copy for £15
Vote to help raise £10,000 to purchase an RS Venture keel Sailing Boat
The number of votes cast was 3,900 when I circulated details of the appeal, which has now produced 6,595 at closure. Thank you all who helped towards the extra 2,695 votes.
For more information try my web page or mail me
Sail Safely the RYA Way 🙂