The Cruising Section

		The club also has an active cruising section with most of the boats sailing out of Surfleet Seas End into the Wash Cruising photos
Four members of the club were recently invited to deliver a new 40 foot yacht (Dufour) from Malahide, Nr Dublin to Kinsale, Nr Cork, during the 1st week of May. More tales will be embellished at the bar no doubt but suffice to say that 2 days were spent in port following coastal weather reports of		Force 8 and 9 winds with over 4 metre waves in the Irish Sea. When F5/6 decreasing F2/3 was forecast thereafter the trip was undertaken in one leg (approx 200 miles) over 36 hours but the F6/7 came back again during the trip and livened things up a bit. However WYC members took most credit being first and the only boat, out of, four such deliveries to complete a delivery - other boats either set off too early and had to take refuge, leave their boat en route and not get under way again or did not leave Malahide.
Each year the Gooch Trophy is awarded to the person submitting the best log of a voyage undertaken during that year. There were two entrants In 2004; Richard Firman, won the trophy and Derek Nice.
2006 Log Winner Jane Thacker - Croatia click here to read   2005 Gooch Trophy Logs: D Nice - Scotland, Crinan to Mull and small Isles (Winner) Charlotte Prior - Ioinian Sea

David Cook - A voyage on SV TENACIOUS
Southampton — St MaIo — Alderney — Southampton

9—16 September 2005

The Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) is a UK based charity established in 1978. The aim of the JST is to promote the integration of physically disabled and able- bodied men and women through the challenge of sailing a tall ship at sea. The Trust’s two ships. LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS are both designed to enable all voyage crew to share in the ships’ daily routines throughout their voyages. They attract a wide variety of people from all different backgrounds and provide an exciting environment in which to discover the thrill of tall ship sailing.

This was my fourth voyage on TENACIOUS, my third as watch leader.

Friday 9 September
Arrived Southampton 1820 to find the ship about to move her berth. (The Captain has been warned that a tug about to berth nearby is under the control of a newly appointed Mate and it could be wise to give him plenty of room to manoeuvre!) I am given the task of re-warping TENACIOUS under the direction of her chirpy Aussie Bosun. 1 make comments to him about cricket and The Ashes. He pretends not to hear!

Saturday 10 September
0800 After breakfast I meet my three fellow watch leaders and we attend a briefing by the 1st Mate and the Medical Purser. I am allocated “Forward Port Watch” which indicates that most of our sail handling and deck activity will be on the port side of the vessel and on the forecastle. The Medical Purser runs through the list of names and disabilities of five of the members of my watch of nine. Most are paired with a ‘“buddy” to look out for them during the voyage. Two are wheelchair bound, one partially sighted, one is a diabetic and my particular “buddy” is totally blind. The challenge of this situation suddenly registers!

1300 The voyage crew start to arrive, sign-on and go through the process of introduction, sorting out their boots and foul-weather gear, understanding their watch cards and the watch system and finding their berths. Chaos and bewilderment gradually turn to understanding as the Captain and permanent crew run through their briefing.

1600 We disembark and move to anchor in the Solent. Then it’s time for emergency evacuation practice and “hands aloft”. I delegate the task of collecting life jackets and assembling the Watch at the port muster station to a 17- year- old AB while I lead a forward evacuation team to hoist a disabled person in a wheelchair up the companionway from the accommodation to the weather deck. After much sweating and grunting I can report all present and correct to the bridge. The opportunity to go aloft is offered to all the able bodied and most of my team are keen and eager to go with the exception of the youngest lady who sees the climb of around 40 feet above the deck to the crosstrees a little daunting. But with encouragement she has a go and is thrilled to finally reach the foremast platform and enjoy the view. To complete the exercise everyone climbs a little higher and then out onto the port side fore course yard to practice sail handling. The wearing of a full climbing harness with safety clips is compulsory in this situation and also allows for “hands free” activity. Brown trousers can also be an asset!

Sunday 11 September
0400 — 0800 Our first watch — anchor watch- in the Solent. Only two people are required with me as watch leader. I choose one AB and my blind “buddy”. The night is uneventful with a radar position check to be made and recorded every fifteen minutes, fire and security rounds to be made every half hour and the log to be made up every hour to include wind direction and speed, sea and sky state, barometer reading, sea and air temperatures. Towards dawn there are wake up calls to be made, deck lights dowsed and the ensign raised.

0830 We weigh anchor and sail for St Malo, Brittany. With a northerly wind pushing the ship across the Channel and through the Alderney Race with an ETA of 1230 on Monday.

Monday 12 September
0800 Breakfast, followed by my morning meeting with the Captain. After briefing the Watch on the day’s activities we are called to bracing stations. Before we berth in St Malo the yards must be braced to starboard. This means as a port Watch we will be easing the braces as the starboard Watches heave. All members take part as I allocate the lightest lines (the royal and t’gallant braces) to the two “wheelies” and their buddies. The upper topsail, lower topsail and course braces are handled by me and the rest of my Watch. First the lines must be flaked out on deck to allow free running then, on the order “let go and heave” the starboard teams haul as the port teams ease until the single marks on the ropes are level with the pin rail, indicating that the yards are fully braced to starboard.

1100 In heavy swell we pick up the St Malo pilot who directs the ship into the outer harbour. The pilot takes the vessel in as if parking his car, slipping alongside the harbour wall at about walking speed! On impact, one of the large bladder fenders bursts. The Mate is not amused. I comment, ‘“that was interesting”. “Interesting is not the f------g word I would use” he replies!

1400 We are through the lock and berthed in the inner harbour right next to the walled old town. Assisted climbs aloft are then offered to all the disabled members and all of my people, including the two ‘“wheelies” and my blind “buddy” take up the challenge. With help and encouragement they all manage the climb to the main crosstrees.

1530 A run ashore with my blind ‘“buddy” to do some shopping. An interesting situation develops as he decides to buy perfume for his wife — neither of us speaks French, he can’t see and the shop owner madame either can’t or won’t understand English! Eventually, after much sniffing and tutting (on her part) we select a perfume and the deal is done. To complete the afternoon my friend decides to buy some cheese, but this is an easier exercise as his nose takes him straight to what he wants. It’s a locally produced soft cheese but even in the conditions of the shop cooler the cheese still generates a noticeable “hum”!

1830 Together with the Watch I eat ashore at “Le Lion D’Or” (moules a la crême and a large quantity of red wine) but first arrange for two people to return to the ship early to cover harbour watch from 2200 to midnight.

Tuesday 13 September
Departure is scheduled for 1100 but the laid- back French pilot doesn't arrive until

1145 much to the repeat annoyance of the 1~’ Mate. Eventually we pass through the

lock to leave St Malo, bound for Braye, Alderney.

1230 — 1600 Afternoon watch duty. I allocate jobs on a rotational basis so that every one gets a turn at helming, lookout (both port and starboard), charthouse and making up the log. Even my blind friend takes the helm with the aid of the audio compass. After watch duty a short talk by the 2nd Mate on buoyage followed by “open shop” for 1ST branded goods. Proceeding to Alderney through flat calm glassy seas but with a heavy swell developing. This is a warning of dirty weather and heavy seas to follow. As I try to get an early night prior to watch duty from midnight to 0400 1 am reminded of the presence of my friend’s French cheese in a nearby locker!

Wednesday 14 September
0000 — 0400 Middle watch, uneventful with only distant lights to check. We are moving slowly on only one engine to avoid “over-running” Alderney. We take a longer route around Guernsey, round and back into Alderney to anchor in the outer harbour at 0830. Before runs ashore we fit in a “Happy Hour” which means clean ship on deck and below. My Watch draws the short straw and has the ultimate joy of cleaning the heads, showers, accommodation etc. The French cheese is beginning to prompt comment about sweaty socks!

1130 Runs ashore commence using the DOTI boats. This is no easy task in an increasingly heavy swell, particularly when it comes to lowering each wheelchair and occupant by block and tackle. Later, three pints of Guinness and Yorkie pud stuffed with steak at The Moorings Hotel in Braye harbour followed by a free guided tour of the island laid on by the JST’s Alderney representative.

Thursday 15 September
0400 —0800 Anchor watch with two of the Watch AB’s keeping a careful watch on position as local yachts and fishing boats start to move with the tide around 0530. 0535 shipping forecast suggests wind building to force 8 in the Channel.

‘0730 weighed anchor and departed Alderney into a force 6 and heavy sea. After breakfast and morning meeting / briefing it’s “Happy Hour” again, but this time my Watch is on deck involved in scrubbing and generally sloshing a lot of water about. With wind strength building to force 7 it’s decided to set some sails. The inner, outer and flying jibs are set. These are all roller furled so my team are employed in slackening the furling lines while hauling on the lee sheet. Of the square sails, just the fore and main lower topsails and courses are set, needing hands aloft for sail handling (the other square sails — royals, t’gallants and upper topsails — are alt roller furled). On deck the remainder of hands find their way around the dozens of “pieces of string” to set the square sails. With the yards braced and a permanent list to starboard TENACIOUS is cracking-on at 10 knots across the Channel.

1730 Past the Needles and into the Solent to drop anchor using only backed sails (no engines). In the evening a “Pirate Party” is organised in the lower mess and bar. Much merriment, singing and drinking! In the accommodation the French cheese is beginning to bang on the inside of my friends locker door. I warn him to watch out for Customs on arrival and to arrange to be met by Securicor!

Friday 16 September

0800 — 1230 Forenoon watch, ours, and the final watch of the voyage. We sail right up the Solent to take advantage of a promotional opportunity for the JST. This is the opening day of the Southampton Boat Show and we make the most of the situation by passing the site twice with much shouting and singing.

1145 On forecastle duty for berthing in a strong cross wind. Very aware of the dangers of stepping over loaded warps.

Following a snack lunch, packing and goodbyes I am off the ship, into a taxi and arrive at Southampton Central just in time as the 1300 London train pulls in. I board and settle into the unusual clean, air conditioned comfort of a South West Trains service coach. Within minutes the tap controlling my automatic adrenalin supply that has kept me awake and alert during a week of broken sleep shuts off and I awake next at Waterloo station.