May 2022

May’s News On and Off the Water

Paul Shill reports; ‘As I hold on tightly to the helm of Aslan, the 34ft yacht I’ve chartered out of Dubrovnik, crashing through 2m+ swells on the way back to the mainland, having never sailed before 12 months ago, I’m thinking how did this happen. Well let’s rewind a bit and I’ll tell you the story.

I’ve always loved boats. I’ve travelled a lot and always enjoyed being on them, in addition I’ve done thousands of scuba dives, so have been around boats of all different sizes on many, many occasions, however this time last year I’d never steered a boat, never tied a bowline, or trimmed a sail.

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

Classroom

Onboard Pure Gallus there’s a classroom suitable for a small class.

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 £575 or £750 on tailored tuition. ‘I have to say it was tough, and tested the brain calls somewhat. However – it was great challenge and good company – Debra’.  The US Navy are teaching sailors Celestial Navigation again as a precaution against cyber attack. US Navy.

RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £525 for class & £695 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Zoom classes are arranged according to demand and availability. 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 £525 or £450 Zoom. Next face-to-face classes in the autumn, provisional dates; September 26, 28th, October 3, 10, 17, 31st, November 7, 14, 21, 28th, December 5, 12, 14th with an optional boat visit October 8th.  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 (Zoom £695) for Day Skipper, £795 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ (Zoom £695) and £850 (Zoom £750) 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 12 metre built less than 5 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[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.

Sail Adventure June 13 – 15th

On this short Adventure we aim to explore the delights of the North East coast and ports. (even the pubs!)

Departure is from Royal Quays, onboard comfortable Pure Gallus, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 built in 2016 to a 2017 model. Twin wheels, space and comfort on deck as well as down below.

Probably the weather will dictate whether we sail north or south and enjoy life onboard overnight in a different port. This adventure is likely to appeal to inexperienced seafarers. Costings. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the skipper, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £550 for one person alone. Saloon, limited stowage; £395. Forecabin with ensuite; £350 each for two sharing or £595 alone, when available. Two places left

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 2021 and here we see John, Jill, Barry & Derek. Cost £325, weekday only. The RYA Sailing Skills – Level 1 is incorporated into this Course and this RYA certificate will be issued with the logbook marked accordingly. Next availability; May 3 – 5th (1 place) & June 9 – 11th 

This popular Course is now available stayover where you will spend two nights onboard away from Royal Quays and included will be the RYA Start Yachting certificate. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the instructor, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £450 for one person alone. Saloon; with limited stowage, £360. Forecabin with ensuite; £325 each for two sharing or £550 alone, when available. 

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 £70 weekday & £85 weekend. Next availability; June 17th 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. No experience needed. Cost, according to berth, from £550 (cabin sharing, £625 alone). Next availability; September 5 – 9th (1 place left), 11 – 16th, October 10 – 14th daysailing cost £575. Or see Practical Crewing above. ‘You were a pleasure to have as a guest, instructor and examiner. Your wisdom, advice and encouragement was much appreciated’ – Rachel  

RYA DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL  The key to bareboat charter, this course aims to get you to the ability ‘ to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar’. Then you can be let loose to find your own adventures and provide endless anecdotes for you to enjoy telling. For Bareboat charter this is the first qualification to be obtained. Nevertheless in some areas, the Solent for example, a higher qualification is needed and UK tidal requested. 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, according to berth, from £595 (cabin sharing, £675 alone) and you will need RYA Day Skipper Theory and Competent Crew  practical on a yacht at the time of booking. Next availability; September 5 – 9th (1 place left), 11 – 16th, October 10 – 14th daysailing cost £650 ‘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. In 2021 we sailed as far as Eyemouth and anchored in various places including the Farnes and Beadnell. 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’. Prices from £675 depending on your berth. Jonny Colwell gives a detailed review of his YM Examination Next availability; September 11 – 16th

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, when Covid permits. This is a Weekday Course for which a minimum booking of two is needed. Cost from £225 sharing & from £260 single.

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC)  This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Costs as per Day Skipper 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

Phil Butler caught Pure Gallus on a windy afternoon.

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

Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, now replaced by a Sun Odyssey 419, by courtesy of Mark Batey and the kind co-operation of victims Andrew and Clive. See me giving berthing advice in trying to avoid the electric supply post Mark Batey Day Training 

RYA Competent Crew in the sun, by courtesy of Mark again Mark Batey Competent Crew

Specialist Courses   

RYA VHF This important Course is available in class, onboard, online or private tuition. Don’t be caught without a proper licence as you could be fined up to £5,000, plus 6 months inside, plus equipment confiscation – yes it’s very severe! At Northumbria Sailing  you will receive tuition one per training set. As you will be assessed for practical skills as well as theoretical I think it’s advisable that you have every opportunity to familiarise yourself with the equipment.  Cost £115 plus £60 for the RYA. Also available One to One at £180 and online at £95 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Next availability May 18+19th evenings 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 £130, 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 £130 plus £10.50 for the RYA Pack. Maximum 6 persons. Next session; May 17th  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. To check which certificates are acceptable to the RYA e.g. for examinations. Next session September 27th First Aid Certificates   

Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed

What Happened Next?

Look at this video to find out, for which I’m grateful to Tish Dixon for finding such a gem.

Firefighter Scott Hardy needed no persuasion to climb the mast and re-fit my wind anemometer, 21 metres above the waterline. Last autumn I did the same but was hanging on so much I was unable to take a photo. No problem here and what a view, including the one of myself safely on deck.

Spot Who’s Pregnant

Imagine my alarm when a victim already enrolled on my first three day practical of the 2022 season, Practical Crewing, declared herself to be pregnant. I had to be nice to her all the time! Shown here before undertaking breezy sailing exercises are, L to R; Lorna, Mel (confusion here, but not my preferred form of address), Sean, Emma & Jo.

Man Overboard!

Jonathan Hetherington reports; ‘Thought it was worth sharing a Man Overboard incident I was involved in at end February.  Thankfully all went well and the casualty recovered quickly with no ill effects, but there are some good points of learning and reflection at least for me, and they may help others. We race a Hunter Sonata 23 in the Windermere IRC winter series. There are 18 yachts registered from 7 different classes which makes for competitive but fun sailing in a handicapped fleet.  We were racing 4 up in bright cold, good, but occasionally gusty conditions which is fairly standard for lake sailing (although it is normally raining)! The wind shifts around, and you can go from being dead calm to fighting to avoid a broach within 50 metres.

We had just finished the 3rd race of the day having come through the line with spinnaker up on a port tack beam reach, and were then bearing away to get the spinnaker down and reset for the last race of the day.  We were feeling pretty pleased with ourselves; the sun was shining, things had gone well, and we’d had our best finish of the day.  The foredeck crewman was unhooking the spinnaker guy line from the pole when one of those aforementioned gusts filled the spinnaker, yanked the pole forward and heeled the boat.  The foredeck man, who was holding the pole, overbalanced and fell back over the port guardrail – straight into the water.  Disaster!

We clicked into action pretty quickly with shouts of man overboard and stop the boat – which wasn’t easy as the spinnaker was still up.  First job – drop the spinnaker, which 2 of us did very hastily while the helmsman kept an eye on the MOB whose life jacket, thankfully, inflated straight away.  Then a quick turn to get back to the MOB under mainsail alone.  As we turned I remembered that these boats have a closed high transom, and no fixed ladder.  How would we get him out?   It was then I remembered the race briefings from the start of the season – all boats must stow recovery ladders.  I quickly went down below and recovered the hook on ladders, slung them over the transom just in time for the MOB to climb up himself with a little assistance from the rest of the crew.  By this time the safety boat had arrived together with another race boat to offer assistance.  This was great reassurance even though we had managed to recover him ourselves.  I  checked the recovered MOB over for early signs of cold water shock and we headed back to the marina and dry land 20 minutes later.

There’s a few points of learning and reflection from this incident.  Firstly a MOB can come out of nowhere.  It was a nice day, we’d finished a race and were not rushing or cutting corners, but it still happened.

Wear a life jacket and make sure it is in good condition.  We have to, as required by race rules, but it would have been much more serious if he wasn’t wearing one, or it hadn’t activated.  They really do keep your head high up out of the water and minimise the amount of water ingested or breathed in.

The water was cold (5 degC).  This was colder than at Tynemouth on the same day (I’ve just checked – 6.6degC) so having multiple layers of microfleece clothing and salopettes really minimised the cold water shock.  Nevertheless the wet clothes weighed a lot and held a lot of water, and had we been further from dry land he would have got very cold, so a spare set of clothes is invaluable.

Safety briefings.  They are important and can make all the difference.  This year the race rules required us to carry recovery ladders.  It was mentioned in the start of season safety briefing, and we had them stowed on the boat.   Because of that briefing I remembered we had them, and it meant we recovered the MOB much more quickly than if I wasn’t aware.

Coastguard.  The safety boat contacted the coastguard who offered recovery assistance, advice, and took a lot of details as to the condition of the MOB to check he was ok.  Although the whole recovery took less than 5 minutes, it might not have, or the MOB could have been in a worse condition.  So – always call the coastguard. However confident you are of sorting the problem out yourself you may not remember to run through all of the checks while you are in the thick of it.

Lastly – do you have a plan of how to get a MOB back on the boat?  We have all done MOB drills before, but getting a cold wet real person back on board is different to hooking an orange MOB buoy.  Work out how you are going to do it, and have the equipment ready and crew briefed on how to use it.’

Victims (All) at Sea

Emre has set off on his epic voyage to Turkey and you can follow his boat Wishful on AIS. Currently off the difficult north Norfolk Coast; ‘It’s been tough last night beating into the wind against current as well at 20-22 knots. It was really annoying motoring and making one mile an hour’. Emre’s now heading for Biscay. 

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.

This is why I’m in the Sailing Business

From Ian;

‘It is difficult to put into words how brilliant a day Elaine and I had with you yesterday. From start to finish you displayed knowledge, professionalism, and patience with a pair of eager novices . In short it was a brilliant day which far exceeded our expectations

Thank you so much for showing us so many different facets of the rudamentaries of sailing and we will contact you shortly to arrange more training. I hope you will be able to join us on the start of our journey from extreme incompetence to one day, with your continued guidance, the dream of being able to class ourselves as competent crews.’

Sailing Today Podcasts

Try these Podcasts Sailing Today Podcasts.

Yacht Delivery

Try Simon and crew who successfully delivered Pure Gallus from Brighton. Anyone wishing this service can obtain an online quote :Wright Marine  

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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