Bioluminescence on the Orwell

[Denek]

Hi all I'm sure there must be threads about this somewhere but this is a new thing for me so I thought I would share.
Took our tender across to our mooring (wolverstone) in the dark on friday evening and when we got out to our boat I noticed small lights in the water which I pointed out to SWMBO who suggested reflections from RHYC but later whilst taking a leak over the side I could not believe my eyes as it looked like I was peeing fire. I low this phenomenon exists but had never witnessed it.
Anyone else see it? I can't believe I'm in my 59th year and have never seen it before mind you I saw a cuckoo for the first time this year.
I have never done any night sailing but can't wait to try now.

 

[Habebty]

Hi all I'm sure there must be threads about this somewhere but this is a new thing for me so I thought I would share.
Took our tender across to our mooring (wolverstone) in the dark on friday evening and when we got out to our boat I noticed small lights in the water which I pointed out to SWMBO who suggested reflections from RHYC but later whilst taking a leak over the side I could not believe my eyes as it looked like I was peeing fire. I low this phenomenon exists but had never witnessed it.
Anyone else see it? I can't believe I'm in my 59th year and have never seen it before mind you I saw a cuckoo for the first time this year.
I have never done any night sailing but can't wait to try now.

You wait until you flush the heads with all the lights out !

 

[Bru]

I saw it a couple of years ago on the River Roach anchored just downstream of Paglesham

Quite magical to watch and fascinating to see the numerous and often quite geometric shapes made when flicking my fag ash in the water

Haven't seen it again since

 

[ex-Gladys]

It's phosphoresence, when you're sailing at night and the bow wave does it is really is magical...

 

[Bru]

It's phosphoresence, when you're sailing at night and the bow wave does it is really is magical...

I can't resist being a pedant so to be pedantic technically it isn't phosphorescence it's bioluminescence

It looks magical either way though!

 

[Athene V30]

It looks magical either way though!

One of the things that helps to make night sailing enjoyable for me.

 

[Bru]

One of the things that helps to make night sailing enjoyable for me.

Haven't yet seen it when we've been underway, only at anchor. One day, I hope!

 

[Rum Run]

Also seen in Tollesbury Leavings last Saturday. Not infrequent there in fact.
Nice to know it's natural rather than something from Bradwell that has escaped

Cheers
Rum Run

 

[Koeketiene]

You wait until you flush the heads with all the lights out !

Did exactly that last night.
The light show did raise a smile.

 

[stevebrassett]

When I was a teenager, I used to pee from the concrete lighters in Walton Backwaters to see the luminescence.

 

[CliveG]

A few years ago we had a pod of dolphins around us in the English Channel at dusk,
They stayed playing around us into the dark.
It was amazing the see the luminescence around them as they sliced in on the pressure waves from our bow and keel.

 

[Supine Being]

I've seen it a few times recently. In the channel and off Kent on the way back from Calais this year, in the Roach last year and off Ostend the year before. Always love to see it.

 

[Vid]

In June 2011 I had a breathtaking trip up the Orwell all the way to Ipswich when the bioluminescence provided a spectacular show. It was perfectly still, the river like glass, and as we motored gently up river all around us were circles of light as fish rose to the surface and behind us the ripples from our wake shone and the burst against the shore.

It was the most magical night on the water ever, for me.