Rockall and St Kilda

[Concerto]

My impression from reading the article, and possibly other stuff Cam has written, is that he has chosen not to fly a flag. It is his call, for 50 days or whatever, on "his" rock, at least temporarily

In the article discussing the fishing situation with Irish boats. To quote the Telegraph article.

"While the UK authorities are happy for Cameron to visit Rockall, he will not be flying the Union flag, lest he appear some kind of conquistador. Instead, he is just a man, on a private jolly, who just so happens to have a Scottish accent."

Cameron's comment was.
"I possibly would have been interested in (making more of it being a British expedition), but we're not even allowed to do that. No flags, no banners, no displaying sponsors'" he mutters, with baffled resignation. "It's a sensitive politcal issue, shall we say."

 

[bikedaft]

Interesting. Cheers.

 

[penfold]

Quite difficult to comprehend what the state would do if he was flying a flag; quite apart from the optics of any rough housing, the RN are pretty strapped for ships to do jobs that need doing and do not have any spare capacity for this kind of nonsense. I'd also confess bafflement as to why you'd ask the state to visit what is claimed as UK territory, we do not live in a police state.

 

[Koeketiene]

Quite difficult to comprehend what the state would do if he was flying a flag; quite apart from the optics of any rough housing, the RN are pretty strapped for ships to do jobs that need doing and do not have any spare capacity for this kind of nonsense. I'd also confess bafflement as to why you'd ask the state to visit what is claimed as UK territory, we do not live in a police state.

Quite.
It's far easier to get forgiveness than it is to obtain permission.

 

[dunedin]

I heard Cam was in for a bit of a blow, coming from his side of the rock. Fingers crossed he's faring well.

Apparently he called a MayDay and is being rescued off the rock - Coastguard rescue for Army veteran in Rockall record attempt

Perhaps like explorers going to Svalbard and other places, there should be a S&R bond required for such expeditions?

 

[penfold]

wind doesn't seem forecast to exceed 30kts and mostly less than 25kts in the next 7 days; doesn't seem extreme from this armchair but presumably it's judged to be too risky to remain, perhaps it's from a direction the pod is more exposed to.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

In 4O days or whatever he is trying to stay for you would expect some sever weather in the N Atlantic you might be lucky and see none but he should have been prepared for some.
Maybe it's something else he might be ill.

 

[jwilson]

Circled Rockall once a couple of times in about 20 knots wind: had been hoping to attempt to land briefly but far too much swell to even consider trying. Would not take that much of a gale to get very wet on top.

 

[bikedaft]

Even when there was no wind at all, there was a swell around the base. This was one of the smaller waves, at about 30s;

Tom McLean's method, of a rib with a big bit of ply protecting the bow, and crampons is probably your best bet.

Cam has left a handy spike and attached rope. Not sure how long the rope will last.

 

[Supine Being]

In 4O days or whatever he is trying to stay for you would expect some sever weather in the N Atlantic you might be lucky and see none but he should have been prepared for some.
Maybe it's something else he might be ill.

I read somewhere that he was planning to attach himself directly to the rock, so that he would remain attached even if his survival pod was swept away. I don't know if that report was true, but I wouldn't judge it a great tactic to be dashed against the rock with no shelter. Anyway, seems foolhardy to me, but what do I know.

 

[nortada]

Man hoping to break record for living on Rockall rescued by coastguard

That didn’t last the course.

 

[bikedaft]

Ach, easy to be critical- him and his team got together and went for it. At least he tried

 

[ctva]

Only just seen this thread as we’ve been from Crinan to Lochinver and back which was plenty far enough for us! Sitting at anchor in Gallanach Bay to go into the canal tomorrow.

Well done, lovely story and great pics.