Yesterday morning I left Scarborough at 8 am, bound for the Humber. At 815 I was out in the bay, putting fenders away an coiling ropes 'en route' , as I do. I did notice that my favourite rope had 'done a runner' and, as per standard procedure, I quickly stopped the engine in case it was wrapping around my propeller Having done this, however, I wasn't sure what was next, short f getting he bus home. I decided to restart the engine and take a chance. Within about 3 milliseconds the gearbox shuddered
and all was silent. My day was looking dodgy but, if you think that's it .....
A passing solo yachtsman came to my aid and offered a tow the 300 odd yards back to the marina. I accepted but it was always going to be a gamble because the tide was going out. Ill just put a picture on.
Without another yacht, strapped heavily, to the side, like a massive float , it could have been game over. This is because Alexandra Louise may have flooded before gaining enough buoyancy to lift. As the tide went down there was plenty ok creaking ropes, as taught as iron bars. The good news was that I got to remove the rope from the prop without getting wet. I gave the glum looking diver that I organised on the way in, £20 for turning up. Sorry Kevin.
And I got to meet Steve and experience his Saxon Breakfast. I think the unique feature is top right.
But there's more. I ended up re floating 5 hrs after my planned departure. This meant that I ended up crossing the Humber shipping lanes at 10 pm. The Humber has a kind of air traffic control for boats because it is so busy. They had me on radar and, literally talked me across the lanes saying things like 'head south NOW' and ' stop at buoy XVC NOW'. It was one of the most exciting and, a bit like earlier, surreal experiences. The controller finished with ' sir, you are clear of Humber VTS. Good evening'. I then motored at full throttle against a strong outgoing tide, for hours, then dropped anchor where Steve had, earlier, suggested. Couldn't see a thing. All done on trust. Fell asleep and, if the boat had drifted off, I was past caring.
Today ( to follow) I ran short of diesel and had to detour. This was because I had to motor so hard at Humber because Id arrived later than planned. This was because I ran aground because I was towed back with a rope around my prop. All because, when I threw it onboard, a little bit dangled in the water. As I said earlier, never sure what's coming next.
Only saving grace re my seamanship was that the sandbank I hit was recently 'a hit' with others !
http://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/local/lifeboats-called-out-as-coronia-runs-aground-1-5986078
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