SMALL MISTAKES CAN LEAD TO TROUBLE
Firth of Clyde - Kintyre peninsula - Isle of Islay
June 2019
June 2019
Storyteller: Ivan
Ivan, skipper and a passionate sailor.
Glorious start with calm and settled weather - two of us arrived at the marina in Largs in the early afternoon before the rest of the team. We wanted to spend at least several hours at sea before dark and ignored the owner's warning that we had only a half-tank of diesel.
A skipper should have confidence and quite a bit of practice in mooring a boat short-handed with only one person helping. We decided not to top the fuel up as it had started to become windy and it was harder to control the boat.
Next day we set off early in the morning hoping to reach our furthest point, port Ellen, in one day as it was mid-June with long hours of daylight.
The complication was the strong tide in the North Channel around the Mull of Kintyre (9-10 knots with the tide, 1-2 knots against)
I used the engine to make good progress so that we would arrive before the start of the tide run. I needn't have done that as the tank was half-empty.
The complication was the strong tide in the North Channel around the Mull of Kintyre (9-10 knots with the tide, 1-2 knots against)
I used the engine to make good progress so that we would arrive before the start of the tide run. I needn't have done that as the tank was half-empty.
Sanda Island
We arrived at Port Ellen in the early evening and could enjoy the stunning views. It has a community-managed marina for 30 berths and four Scotch whisky distilleries within walking distance!
It's a rare event to see a heron just inside the marina bay. There was almost no boat traffic even in mid-June in high sailing season. One of the reasons for this is that fuel is brought from the mainland only one a week "on Tuesday". As we had arrived on Saturday - all the garages were closed for the weekend as well. It was a stalemate situation. It would have been better if I had asked a local fisherman to sell me half can of fuel.
Nonetheless we had spent a great evening in the pub listening to live traditional music.
Pub with a live music in Port Ellen
We visited all the distilleries going on a path that connected them instead of going back in the early morning by sail to save fuel and time.
Three world-famous distilleries are easily accessed with one walking trail.
Laphroaig was the first stop with a distinctive wall and a 200-years history of all whiskey that had been produced before. We hadn't thought about booking a tour in advance and so we missed it.
Laphroaig distillery entrance
200+ years of history
Lagavulin distillery was the second stop. We had learnt our lesson: called from Laphroaig and booked a guided tour in advance.
Look at this composition - it's beautiful and tucked away a lot of secrets we want to unveil.
Look at this composition - it's beautiful and tucked away a lot of secrets we want to unveil.
At the entrance of the Lagavulin distillery in Scotland
It was almost impossible to memorise all the aromas in the distillery which y created a magic experience.
Scotch Whisky Aroma Nosing Kit
Small hike near Dunmore East. .
The entrance bay of Lagavulin
None of us has ever tried hot chocolate with whisky before - it's magnificent.
Pipette is provided to rarefy the mixture with a few drops of water - I bet you can feel a difference!
Pipette is provided to rarefy the mixture with a few drops of water - I bet you can feel a difference!
A cup of chocolate with a pitchy and smoky Lagavulin whisky.
The interior suddenly started to look like the inside of an old galleon ship.
Interior of cafeteria like a galleon ship
We were slowly drifting with the tide towards the North Atlantic ocean (at least we were not heading towards the rocks).
Going back. Hurrying up to catch the tide, but the diesel ran out, and the wind suddenly stopped as well.
We were slowly drifting with the tide towards the North Atlantic ocean (at least we were not heading towards the rocks).
Fortunately, we were in the centre of a cyclone. Therefore there was no wind and we were expecting it soon.
The worst thing was that we didn't land until night and so couldn't get inside any marina (as it was too dangerous). All the team were sea-sick while the only experienced person in the team fell asleep.
So I had to stay at the helm all night sleepless, attached to the board, so that I wouldn't slip over.
When the wind reached 20-25 knots I should have reduced sails but I couldn't do it single-handed. Even with a crew it's complicated when the engine is not working.
I was afraid of the electricity failing and all the navigation tools going down, so had to hand-steer all night balancing on the waves from the stern. It's a tricky thing to do, as a skipper needs to concentrate all the time, otherwise the boat tends to go in a direction you don't want it to.
We were slowly drifting with the tide towards the North Atlantic ocean (at least we were not heading towards the rocks).
Fortunately, we were in the centre of a cyclone. Therefore there was no wind and we were expecting it soon.
The worst thing was that we didn't land until night and so couldn't get inside any marina (as it was too dangerous). All the team were sea-sick while the only experienced person in the team fell asleep.
So I had to stay at the helm all night sleepless, attached to the board, so that I wouldn't slip over.
When the wind reached 20-25 knots I should have reduced sails but I couldn't do it single-handed. Even with a crew it's complicated when the engine is not working.
I was afraid of the electricity failing and all the navigation tools going down, so had to hand-steer all night balancing on the waves from the stern. It's a tricky thing to do, as a skipper needs to concentrate all the time, otherwise the boat tends to go in a direction you don't want it to.
All night and next day there was a lot of wind. Fortunately the sailing rig was fine and we slowly approached the home marina.
At these moments old-fashioned essential skills of a sailor help. Navigation using paper charts without electrical instruments working (to save the remaining batteries). I was grateful for that I knew the region and remembered all the lighthouses on the way back.
At these moments old-fashioned essential skills of a sailor help. Navigation using paper charts without electrical instruments working (to save the remaining batteries). I was grateful for that I knew the region and remembered all the lighthouses on the way back.
Going back under sails
A motorboat came to help - it attached to our boat stopping it from drifting.
Powerboat attached to our sailing vessel
They tried to fix the problem by topping up the diesel from a jerry can. No success as there was an air pocket stopping the diesel going through the pipes.
Top up with diesel
They had to tow us. And generally it is not advised to tow a boat in such windy conditions - as the rope could break.
Towing
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