October 2015 – Northumbria Sailing

Northumbria Sailing

October Newsletter

A knot is never ‘nearly right’: it is either exactly right or it is hopelessly wrong, one or the other; there is nothing in between. Clifford Ashley – Ashley’s Book of Knots

Ladies Day

‘Could I do a Ladies Day’ said victim Mandy (left on image). Far be it for me to refuse an order from a woman so a Sunday was arranged and Malcolm volunteered as skipper. Four ladies plus a courtesy man (the operation had been a success) were treated to a hot day late September, accompanied by some wind.

Their shouts of delight were heard by victim Roger who I was ICC examining two days afterwards. Malcolm did query the strange noise at Souter point (the horn still operates from the decommissioned lighthouse) but it was a great time on the water and all were converted.

Day Skippers Three

Also enjoying the late September sun were Gary, Steve & Mark after their tickets. All passed the practical, two will need to await their theory. We were blessed with the weather and had a good sailing wind too.

Now Gary and Mark need to get to grips with their new boats, see ‘Victims at Sea’ below.

East Coast Sail to London – Did we do Well?

Skipper Melvyn reports; A successful and enjoyable trip leaving Royal Quays for Whitby on the first night. Then to Grimsby topping up fuel at an incredibly low price. Next stop Wells on the Sea, arriving after dusk and escorted in. A shallow channel – see image, and we did touch bottom on the way out. A long trip to Harwich, a mooring at Queenborough and up the Thames arriving amid a melee of boats at Tower Bridge. Snug for two nights at St Katharine’s Dock. Four onboard and every day we had a F6 at some stage.

Report from Skipper Malcolm; ‘Following Melvyn’s eventful but comfortable, multi-stop trip South, a group of 4 intrepid mariners set off from St Katharine’s to bring Lian back to Royal Quays. The trip was intended to be non-stop back to the frozen North, partly for mile-building, partly for nautical bravado, and partly to avoid the tedium of worrying too much about shallow and muddy East Coast harbours – but the theory was that if the weather blew up or we fancied a drink en route, we’d turn left.

Departure was brisk, to catch the 0645 lock-out from St Katharine’s, about an hour before high water at Tower Bridge. Passing the lock was uneventful :), and fantastic views started straight away, in a beautiful blue sky devoid of any central London smog.

The section along and out of the Thames was a photo-safari, with amazing views of the temples of Mammon, the Cutty Sark , the Emirates Air Line and the Dome. Negotiating the Thames Barrier involved taking to London VTS – a bit of a shocker that they don’t speak with a Geordie accent!

Dolphins off Southend pier, which was a bit of a surprise, but the main sightseeing highlight of the trip out of the Thames was a visit to the Estuary Forst, built as anti-aircraft platforms during the war, by my grandfather’s engineering company. The two ‘Army’ style forts are at Red Sands and Shivering Sands (sand is a very notable and unhelpful feature of the Thames Estuary). It must have been a fairly anxiety provoking experience being out there as the might of the Luftwaffe passed directly overhead night after night. However, the Germans missed their estuarine tormentors! Even after 70 years, most of the structures are still there, huge, desolate and deserted, apart from the odd historically minded visitor.

As we continued out along the Knock John channel under a Mediterranean sky, unwelcome weather news started to come in. Talk of Storm 10 in German Bight, and strong Easterlies. This caused a rethink about our intended well offshore course, and we turned closer to East Anglia when the swell got big enough to interfere with our culinary plans, and so that we could duck in somewhere if we needed to.

Unfortunately the good weather left us in the night, and from about Lowestoft the going was grisly and wet. The weather continued to build the sea and by the time we reached Hartlepool there was a 3 metre easterly swell, which was regularly breaking and blowing. But we had a good sailing wind, averaging around 20 knots pretty much the whole way, and made the 353 miles in 53 hours, ten less than we had budgeted for assuming and average boat speed of 5 knots. Lian can certainly cut it in a biggish sea, and she brought us safely and gratefully back to Royal Quays by mid-afternoon of day three’.

Boat Delivery

I am pleased to announce a Boat Delivery service is now available using a qualified and experienced Yachtmaster™. Ask for a quotation. Use this link to learn the ins and outs of Boat Delivery Boat Delivery

2016 in Scotland or Orkneys & Shetlands

I am preparing the sea for a sail in 2016 and ideas have included the Orkneys & Shetlands. Anyone interested or with other ideas is welcome to make contact.

Why an Evening Class?

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 correspondence. 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 correspondence.

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.

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 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

Update on Courses & Trips;

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. A practical session is included. Next class daytime Fridays 0930-1430 October 16, 23rd, November 6, 13, 20, 27th December 4, 11, & 18th. Cost £450 or £725 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only.

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.Daytime class on Thursdays 0930-1430 October 22nd, November 5, 12, 19, 26th, December 3, 10 & 17th 2016 Class; January 13, 16, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 24, March 2, 9, 12 & 16th

2016 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 £275

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).

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 £575. April full May 15 – 20th 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 £595. April 17-22nd may have one space available, May 15 – 20th

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 during Three days preparation followed by examination by an RYA Examiner for two days. Cost £595 excluding exam fees (2015 rate for YM Coastal £181).

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

Sour Future for Arctic Shelf Seas

This month I am taking the opportunity to be a proud father and to show a paper produced by my No 3 son, Phil, shown in the image with his partner Bibiana Gomez Crespo in Billefjord, Svalbard with the Nordenskjold glacier in the background. Svalbard is a place I would love to visit, a long way north with over 78° latitude. He’s there for a work visit – but then I am reminded of my good fortune in having a hobby as a successful business!

Phil writes;

‘The Arctic shelf seas could be among the worst affected by CO₂ emissions from human activities. Not only is global warming causing the ice to melt and water temperatures to rise, but the absorption of CO₂from the atmosphere is also causing the pH of seawater to drop. This ‘acidification’ is not going to produce literally sour-tasting seas, but may nevertheless be large enough to have wide-ranging impacts on the health of marine organisms and the delicate competitive balance between species. In particular, calcifying organisms such as mussels and corals have difficulty building healthy shells and skeletons in acidified seawater.

Arctic shelf seas are especially vulnerable to acidification because of cold temperatures, shrinking ice cover and increasing inputs of fresh water from ice melt and river discharge.

As part of the EØS-funded project ‘POLNOR’, climate scientists Phil Wallhead and Richard Bellerby from the Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA) are analysing model projections for the Arctic ocean and Nordic seas, focusing on the sea floor where many important calcifiers reside. POLNOR will combine these model projections with new data from laboratory experiments and field sampling campaigns to assess the possible consequences of acidification for bottom-dwelling organisms in the Arctic shelf seas and the ecosystems and economic activities that they support. To find out more: POLNOR

Victims (all) at Sea

Frazer Venters had adventures on his way back in his Sun Odyssey 34 Coquet Connection, trying to round Rattray Head against the tide and Force 10 winds, resulting in being blown 50 miles offshore (and I taught him tides too!). He’s now looking for a new boat with a racing pedigree for more racing in 2016 on the west coast and aiming for a Fastnet qualification.

Mike & Karen Hartley, have been enjoying their new boat, a Sigma 362 SigiMae, by sailing up and down the North East coast

Mark Batey, shown in image, has a new boat Amphora a Holman 26, timber built in 1963, and will be sailing out of Royal Quays after it makes the journey northwards. Just passed his RYA Day Skipper Practical too!

Rob Forster has a 26 foot Westerly Centaur, Border Legend, and sails out of Kippford. Even with a bilge keel it takes some balls to sail out of there. Terrific tides and a channel very close to the shore, which alarmed guest crew Mark Batey.

Gary & Noreen Michaels have bought a boat, or, at least, Noreen has as Gary will see it for the first time on October 3rd! A Westerly General Konfusion to be based in Amble where they are keen to race.

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, daytime; October 15th. evenings; December 7 & 14th. 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.

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. Next Course, provisionally one Saturday in March or April

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.

Watch Out – Thieves About

On 1st October Storrar Marine was subjected to an ‘armed raid’ where two masked and helmeted thugs threatened Andy Burgess with a knife and baseball bat, A quantity of Henri Lloyd clothing was stolen as well as the contents of the till. Andy bravely tackled one of the raiders as they made their getaway and in the scuffle managed to wrench a helmet off one of the thugs who was then hit in the face by the cash drawer of the till! Andy suffered cuts but was promptly back to work. If you are offered a new Henri Lloyd jacket an attractive price please ring Clifford St police station Byker. Case ref 845.

For more information try my web page or mail me

Sail Safely the RYA Way 🙂