Ocean Youth Trust Sailing Adventure |
| Posted by Caroline (caroline) on Jul 22 2010 |
OYT Week Report
April 2010
Monday
Arrived at the boat at 2pm and had a long session where pupils and staff introduced themselves and stated what their hopes and fears for the week ahead were. They were split into two watches which then became the groups they worked in during the week. Each watch taking two hours at a time on deck and being responsible for the boat. The exceptions were when setting off, anchoring or changing sails then everyone was expected to be on deck and helping. Each watch was supervised by an OYT adult volunteer. Also on board was a Bos’un who was a 16 year old volunteer who had sailed with them previously, the skipper and first mate.
Everyone was kitted out with oilskins and life jackets and practised moving around the deck using harnesses to clip on. The pupils did not really see the sense in this, but it became apparent to them on day two! We then practised a man overboard drill.
They were given a full tour of the boat and all the equipment was explained. They were shown how to use winches safely. There was also a full tour of the galley as Pupils were to be involved in making, serving and clearing up from all meals.
Eventually, despite a foul forecast, at 5pm we readied the boat to sail. One watch hoisted the foresail and the other the stay sail. These were the only two sails we used this day as the wind was blowing quite strongly at about 35knots. We headed for the Holy Loch and had, for most, an enjoyable introductory sail. The boat did heal quite a bit despite there only being two small sails up. Just off the Holy Loch Marina we dropped the sails and readied the boat for tying up alongside. In the process a large fender was lost overboard. This allowed for another practice at the man overboard routine.
We came alongside at 7.30pm, tidied the sails and went below for dinner at 8pm. After dinner pupils were introduced to their logs and it was explained to them that they would use these to keep a record of their voyage and experiences and also to record knots they had learned and other nautical info they learned which could lead to an RYA qualification for them. We looked at charts of the area and agreed that given the wind direction predicted for the next day, we would head for Rothesay bay for lunch and then onto Arran for the overnight. Pupils measured this as around 36 nautical miles. The boat travels at an average of 5 knots and it takes 2 hours in total to do a sail change meaning the planned sail would take more than 9 hours. For this reason it was agreed we would sit down to breakfast at 7am. We went to bed at 11pm. It was a wild night, weather wise, and even the staff found difficulty in sleeping.
Tuesday
After breakfast it was agreed that since the wind was blowing so strongly and it was raining very hard that we would delay our departure. The first hour every morning after breakfast was called “Happy Hour” during this time each watch cleaned and tidied the boat from top to bottom, including the heads, to keep it safe. Due to the weather both watches worked only downstairs and happy hour was only half an hour. We then did a bit of knot tying, figure of eight- a stopper knot used at the end of a line, bowline- this allows you to create a strong temporary loop in a rope which can then be used when tying the boat up and two turns and a half hitch- this is used to secure the fenders to the side of the boat when tying up and since one had been lost during the night, was obviously a knot we needed to practise. We once again got out the charts and agreed that Rothesay bay as a final destination would be a better idea, given the weather....little did we know.
The pupils then went ashore and discovered the only shop the Holy Loch has to offer!
We set off at about 11am with once again only a fore and stay (rear) sail hoisted, both of which were heavily reefed (only part of the sail used, it decreases the sail area). Coming out of the Holy Loch the wind was coming from various directions, but was fairly light. The minute we hit the main channel the wind was ferocious and the boat was heeling right over with water pouring over the sides and the guard rails. One of the watches was up on the fore deck and pupils were grabbing onto anything. Those who could stand looked as if they were standing on top of the water. Those who were terrified were given reassurance from those enjoying it.
Only then did they realised the reason behind always being clipped on to the deck. After about 10 minutes they were able to make their way back into the cockpit.
The off duty watch who had been below began to feel unwell and were encouraged to come on deck. Although no one was sick there were definitely two green faces. The boat was flying along with the speed sometimes touching 11.5 knots. The skipper asked if they still wished to make the journey to Rothesay which would mean they would be in these conditions for 5 hours. The majority surprisingly said yes. I could sense that the skipper was concerned as she knew that the further out we went the stronger the winds would be and that we could not make the journey in a straight line, but would need to undertake many tacks. To give them a taste of this she completed a tack. This requires the on duty watch to winch back in sails and also turns the boat right through the wind, which in those conditions can feel quite violent especially with the speed the boat was doing. Sure enough it took only one tack before they agreed to change destination and we turned back up the Clyde to head for an anchorage just off Rosneath. By this time pupils were tired and very wet, some who had been on the fore deck were extremely cold. To head up the Clyde required the sails to be dropped and a decision was taken that pupils should stay in the cockpit with the skipper whilst the adults undertook this task given the nature of the water, speed of the boat and gusts of over 40 knots. With sails down and the engine on the boat levelled out and within the shelter of the Clyde the winds dropped.
Hot drinks were served as once the boat was safely anchored there were many tasks to be done to ensure the sails were stored safely and the decks free of clutter. It was tasks like these that pupils found weary, they felt they had sailed for the day and just wanted down time so motivation was not always easy. The promise of a trip in the inflatable dingy ashore proved to be great motivation on this occasion.
Lunch was served downstairs, but pupils were keen to go ashore in the dingy. The first group set off with a promise from the watch leader that he would be back quickly for the next group. An hour later he returned with the first group paddling furiously as they could not get the engine started, however one attempt from the skipper and the engine was running again. Those who wanted to go ashore went, whilst others played some boisterous games down below with the rest of the crew.
The evening meal was a fantastic pork dish, after which it was diary time and knot tying. We also revised the different parts of the boat they had learned so far and played some more games. The last task of the evening was to look at the chart in relation to the forecast for the next day and decide where we might head. It was decided to go down between Bute and Cumbrae and round the South end of Bute which almost all pupils had never seen before. We would then travel up Loch fyne to Portavadie where we could tie up in a marina and have the first showers of the week.
As we were on anchor it was important to ensure through the night that the boat did not move from its position. To do this pupils were split into pairs. Each pair had a 90 minute shift during the evening and had to check bearings on fixed shore positions, check wind speed and direction and the depth of water below the keel. This could all be done from the saloon or the stairs to deck. Each pair also had the responsibility of waking the next pair, which proved difficult on a number of occasions.
Wednesday
A 7am breakfast this morning, after which we had happy hour both below and on deck. By this time the importance of this was clear to pupils with 17 people living in such close confines hygiene and health and safety relied greatly on the boat being clean, tidy and in good order.
We motored off the anchor at 10am and hoisted all of the sails. It was a clear and bright day with a steady 12-16 knots of wind from the West. We tacked our way down towards Bute and rounded the South end of the island. None of the pupils had walked round this side of the island let alone seen it from the water before. They had plenty of opportunity to see it as the wind dropped right down and for close to an hour we sailed slowly or drifted. Eventually the wind picked up and we sailed up through the Inchmarnock triangle, where the wind can be notoriously ferocious, and on up into Loch Fyne. Just as we entered Loch Fyne we undertook an unplanned man overboard drill which went very well and gave everyone the opportunity to participate and achieve another aspect of their yachting qualification. Once the Bos’un was safely back on board we dropped and stored all of the sails. With four having been hoisted this was a large and long job that required everyone to participate.
With the day drawing on and the sail over some pupils again found this a bit tedious, however it was done more quickly this time as they realised they don’t get fed until the work is done! We motored into Portavadie Marina and had dinner.
Next came a real treat, our first shower of the voyage! The facilities at Portavadie are amazing with large power showers, hair dryers and straighteners. We all availed ourselves of the facilities and had a soft drink in their gorgeous bar.
Everyone settled to sleep very quickly after what had been a long day.
Thursday
7.30 start. We set of, with all 4 sails hoisted. The wind was a moderate 15 knots and the boat travelled at an average of 6 knots for most of the morning. It was a bright dry day and everyone was far more relaxed. We sailed down loch Fyne and gybed round into the Kyles of Bute, sailed up past Kames and Tighnabruich. At the narrows everyone was on deck as very few of the pupils had seen the narrows before. We sailed into Rothesay Bay mid afternoon. Pupils contacted family so they could come down and take pictures of them anchored off the sailing club. We stayed in the bay for quite some time playing daft games and practising knots again. Dinner was about 7pm and at 8pm, just as it was getting dark we set off. We hoisted 3 sails; the main, a fore sail and the stay sail and sailed out of the bay towards the main channel with all of our navigation lights on.
For this passage pupils had to use the chart to identify navigation lights and use these and fixes on the land to ensure we stayed in the channel. Between Dunoon and Cloch Point the wind died off and we dropped and stored all of the sails, switched on the engine and motored to Rosneath. We arrived at Rosneath at 1.30pm, pupils realised that since we were going to be at anchor again, they would need to stay up and do anchor watch! Once safely at anchor we all went below and the skipper said that since it was a very calm evening an anchor watch was not necessary; there was great relief all round, not least from Mrs Brownlie as her bunk was in the main saloon where the pupils sat whilst on duty.
Friday
Breakfast at 8.30am was followed by a major happy hour to ensure the boat would be ready for the next group to join it that afternoon. Pupils worked well together and were far more motivated. The aircraft carrier Ark Royal was a small distraction as it passed just off our stern. Pupils all completed their logbooks and had one more assessment for their introduction to yachting qualification before we set off back to the berth at Gourock. Once there all the sails and lines had to be stripped off the boat and the safety gear all stowed away. We sat round the table and had one last lunch together, discussing the week. Pupils were far more animated and willing to share their emotions and thoughts of the week. There was a presentation of certificates and we packed up our stuff and left. 12 out of 13 of us hope to visit again.
Last changed: Jul 30 2010 at 11:58 AM
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