Skipper's thoughts

To leave or not to leave!!!

A skipper has the hardest choices to make.  Using the weather forecast to judge the safest route to travel, the potential sea conditions around the coast, especially in open water extended passages and avoiding navigational dangers.  When  we left Milford Haven to cross to Lunday the passage plan was provisional until we reached the mouth of the Haven and a few miles out to sea as I wanted to judge the swell in the Bristol Channel although the weather forecast said “slight or moderate” meaning up to about 2.5m waves.  The boat is solid but her crew are human and we are the weak link.  Long passages can be exhausting and demand navigation, helming, and making hot drinks often to keep up crew moral and strength.   The swell was uncomfortable but not undoable. We were actually following a boat half our size.  We reached Lunday in good time but once we were committed we had to make for the anchorage or turn back in enough time to reach a safe port.  The wind was SW so the anchorage would be a haven but had the wind changed to NE, as possibly suggested by the Met Office we would need to get to the other side of the island, but the swell might prevent us staying at anchor.  It’s always a gamble to weigh up all the factors and to go.  Overnight at anchor, the wind got up to Force 5 and built the swell in the Bristol Channel and our sleep was like trying to get comfortable on a roller coaster for 4 hours.  We had to stay another day as there are few havens on the Devon and Cornwall coasts within reach and it is a lee shore in the prevailing winds .  We wanted to get to Padstow but if conditions worsen then we would be stuck to find a shelter from the NW wind. Keeping safe but also taking some calculated risks is a lesson I continually have to remind myself to do, not just as the skipper but in life.  When we did set off for Padstow the confused sea was very uncomfortable and took a lot of energy on the helm.  The day before, passengers had got off the Lundy ferry looking grey with seasickness so we realised it was not going to be easy.   I calculated that the wind had been slowly decreasing so the swell should be within our capacities.  We did however get to Pastow in the afternoon but aching all over with the constant movement of the boat.  When I saw the harbour with the numerous  eating places and pubs it was a very welcome break after 2 nights at anchor.  Curry sauce over chips was a delight!!!!!!!!!!

We are now in Newlyn having rounded Cape Cornwall.  We went inside Longships Lighthouse as the weather and conditions were very favourable. 

A major point in our journey, NOW it will be EASTWARDS ALL THE WAY>>>>>>>>>