From the Bridge!

[Solitaire]

I was asked to accompany a client over to Cowes to bring his rib back and do some "rough water" handling on the way back. Circumstances meant we missed the Redjet, so decided to go over on the car ferry as we were going to East Cowes anyway.

A question of the purser and wham bam, a trip to the bridge is arranged. All the way from Southampton to docking in Cowes. Good experience seeing things from a long way up!

and I got to drive!

 

[Pinnacle]

"I drove".

Don't tell the insurers!!

 

[dmmbruce]

It must have given you a very different perspective on us, in our little slow 'in-the-way' boats, including of yourself when you are not under full power!

 

[Wiggo]

Bloody hell, that's a long way up! Cowes looks tiny and the ragboat in pics 2 & 3 looks like you could run it down and not notice.

 

[nicks]

was she tied up when you were at the helm David??

 

[Solitaire]

was she tied up when you were at the helm David??

Nope! On entering Cowes. Oh,did I forget to mention that the real skipper was on the "side bridge"?

There are in fact four helm positions. Two in the centre looking forward and aft and two on each side which actually overhang the water and are used when berthing.

Wiggo, it is a long way above the water and yes, it real did look as if everything was very small from up there. You also get a very interesting perspective on the main channel.

I ask the captain what were the biggest problems he faced when navigating. His answer? Yachts!

 

[LittleSister]

I ask the captain what were the biggest problems he faced when navigating. His answer? Yachts!

Were you expecting him to say finding his destination?