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Cruise Report
Cornish Crabber Club - Solent Rally 2016
Sea conditions were getting worse and the wind was rising. Moore’s Claws which was about two miles West of Summer Breeze as the situation began to unfold had set course for the Fairway buoy, which marks the beginning of the Needles Channel. Summer Breeze made a similar course and eventually we both arrived together at about the same time at the Fairway buoy. All the time I was on VHF, Mary was helming Summer Breeze in conditions that were getting worse not better, as photographs will show.
Hearing of our plight Dave Percival aboard Alice Pellow, and who was well ahead of us called up to tell us of worsening conditions further up the Channel and entering the Solent. The wind by now was blowing around 25 knots and the sea state becoming rough. He offered to be the towing vessel once Moore’s Claws was in the Solent. After consultation and discussion with the Coastguard this was agreed. Alice Pellow duly anchored in the lee of Hurst Castle and awaited our arrival. The next issue to consider was making Lymington River authorities aware of an imminent tow coming up the river. Thus in further conversation with Andrew Turner on Seawind who was ashore in Lymington he liaised with the Harbour Master, and so by this time everything was in place. Everyone was prepared, and all that was now required was for Moore’s Claws to enter the Solent and get the tow attached to Alice Pellow. During this saga which lasted most of the afternoon, it has to be said that the Coastguard were incredibly helpful and understanding of the situation. They were cautioning us that, at any time should we feel that we could not safely deal with the predicament, they would be quite prepared to get a Lifeboat to Moore’s Claws. As things turned out we managed on our own.
Hearing of our plight Dave Percival aboard Alice Pellow, and who was well ahead of us called up to tell us of worsening conditions further up the Channel and entering the Solent. The wind by now was blowing around 25 knots and the sea state becoming rough. He offered to be the towing vessel once Moore’s Claws was in the Solent. After consultation and discussion with the Coastguard this was agreed. Alice Pellow duly anchored in the lee of Hurst Castle and awaited our arrival. The next issue to consider was making Lymington River authorities aware of an imminent tow coming up the river. Thus in further conversation with Andrew Turner on Seawind who was ashore in Lymington he liaised with the Harbour Master, and so by this time everything was in place. Everyone was prepared, and all that was now required was for Moore’s Claws to enter the Solent and get the tow attached to Alice Pellow. During this saga which lasted most of the afternoon, it has to be said that the Coastguard were incredibly helpful and understanding of the situation. They were cautioning us that, at any time should we feel that we could not safely deal with the predicament, they would be quite prepared to get a Lifeboat to Moore’s Claws. As things turned out we managed on our own.
On entering the Solent we watched as Alice Pellow weighed anchor and proceed to approach Moore’s Claws. The first tow was an inline link between the two vessels, followed 20 minutes or so later by changing to an alongside tow. Both vessels then proceed up the Lymington River shortly joined by the Harbour Master who joined the procession. It was a huge relief to all when all vessels were safely berthed alongside the Dan Bran Pontoon. A happy ending all round, and a lot of relieved faces particularly Peter’s!
The whole episode was an interesting example of good team work and seamanship in what could have been a much worse situation. Dave Percival and his crew Andy deserve a special mention for the way in which they prepared for the tow and the execution was text book! More photos to show this too.
Fortunately things calmed down a bit after that! We had all made Lymington. A free evening was in order but as it turned out a large number of crews had supper at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.
Thursday was destination East Cowes Marina. This marina is located on the East side of the Medina River beyond the chain ferry. East Cowes Marina was to provide facilities for our DIY BBQ where crews appeared to compete for the smartest fare. Not just bangers and burgers for the Crabber crews. There bbqed sweetcorn and peppers, huge steaks and every bbq-able part of chickens! The heavy rain just before the event threatened to make cooking difficult, however the clouds parted and we had a fine evening. Many thanks to the East Cowes Marina staff who load on everything for us bar the food, including a marquee which was a real bonus.
The whole episode was an interesting example of good team work and seamanship in what could have been a much worse situation. Dave Percival and his crew Andy deserve a special mention for the way in which they prepared for the tow and the execution was text book! More photos to show this too.
Fortunately things calmed down a bit after that! We had all made Lymington. A free evening was in order but as it turned out a large number of crews had supper at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.
Thursday was destination East Cowes Marina. This marina is located on the East side of the Medina River beyond the chain ferry. East Cowes Marina was to provide facilities for our DIY BBQ where crews appeared to compete for the smartest fare. Not just bangers and burgers for the Crabber crews. There bbqed sweetcorn and peppers, huge steaks and every bbq-able part of chickens! The heavy rain just before the event threatened to make cooking difficult, however the clouds parted and we had a fine evening. Many thanks to the East Cowes Marina staff who load on everything for us bar the food, including a marquee which was a real bonus.
