ChattingLil
Well-Known Member
Did you come back over Sunday Lisa
we did
On the upside - I now have a lot more confidence in the boat. She was put through her paces for certain.
Ostende
- Thread starter tillergirl
- Start date
we did
On the upside - I now have a lot more confidence in the boat. She was put through her paces for certain.
AliM
Well-Known Member
Well done!
You made the right decisions - you are OK, your crew are OK and your boat is OK.
Don't let it dent your confidence, and enjoy your holiday.
Ali
You made the right decisions - you are OK, your crew are OK and your boat is OK.
Don't let it dent your confidence, and enjoy your holiday.
Ali
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
I'll just add a similar note to what has already been said Lisa.
Anyone who hasn't got it wrong once or twice, as Roger said, must never leave their mooring. We've all wondered about the joys of hindsight!
You did the right thing in making a decision to ask for help. Not an easy thing to do. But the right one, and the brave one. The decision of a good skipper. Only weak ones will refuse to accept a situation for what it is. And you are already seeing the positives, in particular your confidence in the boat.... get back on the horse quickly!
So....all in all... another lesson to add to the long list
PS... i'll cast an eye over Black Magic and make sure all your lines are secure, nothing is frapping or flapping etc!
Anyone who hasn't got it wrong once or twice, as Roger said, must never leave their mooring. We've all wondered about the joys of hindsight!
You did the right thing in making a decision to ask for help. Not an easy thing to do. But the right one, and the brave one. The decision of a good skipper. Only weak ones will refuse to accept a situation for what it is. And you are already seeing the positives, in particular your confidence in the boat.... get back on the horse quickly!
So....all in all... another lesson to add to the long list
PS... i'll cast an eye over Black Magic and make sure all your lines are secure, nothing is frapping or flapping etc!
ChattingLil
Well-Known Member
Thanks Neil. BM is currently on the workboat pontoon, but the office said they may move her during the week. I've left spare warp and fenders in the cockpit.
Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
Lisa,
Last year I seem to recall somone ran out of fuel just outside the Shotley lock gates with just enough way to make it to the waiting pontoon.
And the boat already in the lock had been sitting on the mud outside waiting for enough water for 20min.
And someone ran out of cooking gas on the way back with no spare so it was sandwiches and muesli for all
No idea who the skippers could have been. Can't have been very experienced...........;-)
It's easier to learn by others mistakes but learning by our own sticks better. Experience is something you get just after you need it.
Last year I seem to recall somone ran out of fuel just outside the Shotley lock gates with just enough way to make it to the waiting pontoon.
And the boat already in the lock had been sitting on the mud outside waiting for enough water for 20min.
And someone ran out of cooking gas on the way back with no spare so it was sandwiches and muesli for all
No idea who the skippers could have been. Can't have been very experienced...........;-)
It's easier to learn by others mistakes but learning by our own sticks better. Experience is something you get just after you need it.
davidfox
Well-Known Member
Morgana reporting in....
Great crossing.... between 12 and 21kts across the beam.... grin style sailing!
Hit 30ks after West Hinder, and on the nose.... happy skipper enjoying sailing her on her ear for a while with 3rd reef in the foresail.... less happy swmbo...
Forecast looking 'interesting' for return... not that windy really... well not above a F6... but on the nose.... we get what we get.... have fun all...
I was glad to see that you had gone when i returned from the pub on friday Neil, your planned departure of 03.00 would have made it quite exciting!!
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Yes, we made a good call leaving 5 hrs earlier than planned originally. Gave a much bigger margin of safety weatherwise, and resulted in a really memorable crossing.
davidfox
Well-Known Member
I did sod all over the weekend, it was just unpleasant enough to discourage going anywhere with young kids, lovely day today isnt it! Grrr...
Marmalade
Well-Known Member
Lisa - we had a smiliar situation a few years back in our previous boat. Any situation or problem you encounter is massively exacerbated by tiredness and seasickness. At the time the RNLI coxswain told us that he'd rather be taking us in tow intact and safe than pulling us out of the water following a collision or grounding.
You made a good call to ask for help - you'll be the better sailor for the experience.
You made a good call to ask for help - you'll be the better sailor for the experience.
Marmalade
Well-Known Member
Now on a lighter note
We had a fabulous weekend with our friends from the forum. We also introduced a new boat - Perle d'Azur (owned by GlennG - an occasional forum poster) to the delights of Oostende as Perle has recently moved to Chatham from Newhaven so is now an official East Coaster.
Glenn had a couple from work on Perle who hadn't made a longish sail before and we all had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Moules Frites aplenty; some good steaks; quite a lote of Duvel, and Glenn enjoying the availability of filet americain (raw mince for eating raw to you and me) which for some strange reason you don't get in Tescos.
After 80 ish miles and different routes - we ended up literally side by side with Morgana as we came into Harwich Harbour - another Harry Hill moment.
We had a fabulous weekend with our friends from the forum. We also introduced a new boat - Perle d'Azur (owned by GlennG - an occasional forum poster) to the delights of Oostende as Perle has recently moved to Chatham from Newhaven so is now an official East Coaster.
Glenn had a couple from work on Perle who hadn't made a longish sail before and we all had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Moules Frites aplenty; some good steaks; quite a lote of Duvel, and Glenn enjoying the availability of filet americain (raw mince for eating raw to you and me) which for some strange reason you don't get in Tescos.
After 80 ish miles and different routes - we ended up literally side by side with Morgana as we came into Harwich Harbour - another Harry Hill moment.
benw
Well-Known Member
Black Magic return to Harwich
Lisa I just wanted to say that we think you managed the situation perfectly. We picked up your call on the VHF whilst sitting out the 40mph gusts on mooring up the Orwell on Sunday. You sounded very measured and in control in what must have been pretty tortuous conditions. When faced with such situations we can only hope that our radio manner and clear thinking holds up. Well done for getting back and I hope you get out there very soon.
Benw
Lisa I just wanted to say that we think you managed the situation perfectly. We picked up your call on the VHF whilst sitting out the 40mph gusts on mooring up the Orwell on Sunday. You sounded very measured and in control in what must have been pretty tortuous conditions. When faced with such situations we can only hope that our radio manner and clear thinking holds up. Well done for getting back and I hope you get out there very soon.
Benw
Jomo
Well-Known Member
Hi Lisa,
Can't remember if I met you in Ostend - not too many beers surely -. Excellent write up of a hard fought return trip. May I suggest that all this Red/white/blue/green Diesel customs beaurocracy continues to put us in dangerous situations, tempting us to make passages without enough fuel in case we get stopped/searched/fined. [/Rantover]
Have a nice time in Turkey
Ian
Can't remember if I met you in Ostend - not too many beers surely
-. Excellent write up of a hard fought return trip. May I suggest that all this Red/white/blue/green Diesel customs beaurocracy continues to put us in dangerous situations, tempting us to make passages without enough fuel in case we get stopped/searched/fined. [/Rantover]Have a nice time in Turkey
Ian
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Hi Lisa,
Can't remember if I met you in Ostend - not too many beers surely
Have a nice time in Turkey
Ian
we have 10 lts of "White" in a can o/b
CPD
Well-Known Member
Lisa,
I can only second all that has been said. Well done for doing what needed to be done in difficult circumstances, and thanks for being so open on here - I'm sure we can all learn. Have fun in Turkey !
Alan
I can only second all that has been said. Well done for doing what needed to be done in difficult circumstances, and thanks for being so open on here - I'm sure we can all learn. Have fun in Turkey !
Alan
Jomo
Well-Known Member
That's what I do these days
Perhaps we should remind eveyone before the Ostend trip that there ain't no diesel to be had in Ostend.
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
There is fuel (white diesel) in either Nieuwpoort or Blankenberge - no more than 90 mins up or down the coast.
PaulGooch
Well-Known Member
Well i don't know what calculations you guys with sail boats make before a trip, but it seems to me that you should be carrying enough fuel to make the planned trip totally under engine power, in rough seas. (Not a dig at Lisa)
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Well, it all goes to prove that none of us is perfect.
I had a man overboard in Ostend harbour, and my bow line parted, and i nearly used my shore power as a long spring from the transom. Only luck and the Skipper of Marmalade prevented that happening.
Most importantly, I think that Lisa has learned a great deal about decision timing. I felt she was caught in the classic running out of time trap. Sailorman departed early to stay out (he was first) of the forecast. By delaying, it was getting a little late, and we (and several others) stayed put. Its a bit like reefing - the time to do it is when you first think of it.
The other option was to work down the coast to Ramsgate. Shorter hops, more opportunity for rest and fuel, just a bit more of a pain logistically when you get back to UK.
Secondly, I think she showed good skippering in advising the potential issue to the coastguard, and then further good judgement to actually call them out. Given the state of the crew, good call.
Lastly, the planning of fuel. A valuable lesson to be had is to know your fual burn in adverse conditions. Much higher than you might think. We could have got the fuel from the local garage, which is why I carry the folding sack barrow and 25litre can. It is a pain in Ostend, but can be done.
Also, I remembered that I connected the GPS to the radio for Lisa whilst in Ostend. That might have been costly, and is a safety critical item.
I had a man overboard in Ostend harbour, and my bow line parted, and i nearly used my shore power as a long spring from the transom. Only luck and the Skipper of Marmalade prevented that happening.
Most importantly, I think that Lisa has learned a great deal about decision timing. I felt she was caught in the classic running out of time trap. Sailorman departed early to stay out (he was first) of the forecast. By delaying, it was getting a little late, and we (and several others) stayed put. Its a bit like reefing - the time to do it is when you first think of it.
The other option was to work down the coast to Ramsgate. Shorter hops, more opportunity for rest and fuel, just a bit more of a pain logistically when you get back to UK.
Secondly, I think she showed good skippering in advising the potential issue to the coastguard, and then further good judgement to actually call them out. Given the state of the crew, good call.
Lastly, the planning of fuel. A valuable lesson to be had is to know your fual burn in adverse conditions. Much higher than you might think. We could have got the fuel from the local garage, which is why I carry the folding sack barrow and 25litre can. It is a pain in Ostend, but can be done.
Also, I remembered that I connected the GPS to the radio for Lisa whilst in Ostend. That might have been costly, and is a safety critical item.
davidfox
Well-Known Member
I seem to remember, that if you go through the port to the Royal Ostende yacht club (turn right as you come out) about 10mins away moor up, im sure they wont mind, there is a garage on the road opposite the club IIRC!
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
Petrol station now gone/moved to make way for extra tram lines.
Same fate for the RYCO car park
