Post by Xanadu on May 27, 2013 9:19:52 GMT
Locked out of Cardiff at 07:00 on Friday morning, heading for Swansea and eventually Ilfracombe and the Lundy race, with Moontide, Preceptor and Tamarind. Weather forecast was fine but windy, gusting up to 30 mph. Had a great sail down to Swansea Bay, tacking through the inner Nash Passage.
When we got to Sker Point the wind picked up to an almost constant 30 knots and I saw 35 knot gusts, though I am told that it was over 40 at times. We couldn't make against the wind, which was bang on the nose for Swansea, and by now a bit of tide and some fairly large waves. My 8hp engine could do nothing agaist that much wind and tide. We ended up tacking up and down a line between Sker Point and the East Scarweather cardinal. Most of the time the stanchions were in the water despite 3 reefs and only a third of the Genoa out. We were still making 5 knots through the water though.
I was getting very cold and tired so decided it was time to call for help. Called Swansea Coastguard on 16 who decided to call out the Porthcawl RNLI RIB and the Mumbles Lifeboat. We were asked to maintain course as best we could and a few minutes later we had the very welcome sight of the Porthcawl RIB flying off the tops of the waves towards us. They came alongside and a member of their crew threw himself aboard, unfortunately loosing his radio in the process. The lifeboat crew rigged us for tow, lying over the bow to fix the bridle, sometimes completely submerged, and then dropped the mainsail. The RIB then started dragging us towards Swansea, handing us over to the Mumbles lifeboat.
I found some photos (but they probably won't be at the top of their page for long so have added them at the bottom as well):
www.facebook.com/mumbleslifeboat
It took just over an hour to get into Swansea Harbour, being dragged at about 7 knots through the water, almost directly into the wind and through the waves. We got very wet but were very grateful to be moving towards safety.
When we got into the outer harbour we were rigged for alongside tow and taken straight in through the Tawe Lock, which was on free flow. The Mumbles Lifeboat then dropped us off to make our own way into the marina with no fuss and barely a chance to say thank you. I cannot get over what a fantastic, professional service the RNLI is, and just how lucky we are to have them. I will never be able to thank them enough.
The marina were expecting us and, because of our troubles, had allocated us a berth just inside the lock gates. We were then met by someone from the Coastguard (another fantastic service that we must all support) to check we were OK and take some details.
We then got our gear together, met up with Rhiannon and adjourned for beer, whiskey and food at Swansea Yacht and Sub-Aqua Club, with Moontide and Preceptor. We then went and slept on the floor at Rhiannon's student flat in Swansea.
Saturday morning we returned to the boat to assess and sort the damage, after having already decided to abandon any thoughts of going on to Ilfracome, mainly due to everything on board being soaked. I was saved having to call Ilfracombe when the Harbourmaster called me after hearing our radio call the previous day (great radio check). All the cushions and other gear were laid out in the sun to dry, had a couple of pints and a sandwich in the Pumphouse, did some shopping for dinner. Actually, a very pleasant day in Swansea.
Xanadu flies internationally recognised signal for "Yesterday, I got my boat full of water"
After a good night's sleep on board we had the traditional Xanadu breakfast and then locked out at 12:00 for Cardiff. Had a great sail back in about 15 knots of wind, beam reaching to Porthcawl and then putting the Spinnaker up. Dropped the Spinnaker at the Rannie and arrived at the barrage in time for the 17:45 lock (but no room so had to wait until 18:15).
All in all, a very eventful weekend.
RNLI Photos:
When we got to Sker Point the wind picked up to an almost constant 30 knots and I saw 35 knot gusts, though I am told that it was over 40 at times. We couldn't make against the wind, which was bang on the nose for Swansea, and by now a bit of tide and some fairly large waves. My 8hp engine could do nothing agaist that much wind and tide. We ended up tacking up and down a line between Sker Point and the East Scarweather cardinal. Most of the time the stanchions were in the water despite 3 reefs and only a third of the Genoa out. We were still making 5 knots through the water though.
I was getting very cold and tired so decided it was time to call for help. Called Swansea Coastguard on 16 who decided to call out the Porthcawl RNLI RIB and the Mumbles Lifeboat. We were asked to maintain course as best we could and a few minutes later we had the very welcome sight of the Porthcawl RIB flying off the tops of the waves towards us. They came alongside and a member of their crew threw himself aboard, unfortunately loosing his radio in the process. The lifeboat crew rigged us for tow, lying over the bow to fix the bridle, sometimes completely submerged, and then dropped the mainsail. The RIB then started dragging us towards Swansea, handing us over to the Mumbles lifeboat.
I found some photos (but they probably won't be at the top of their page for long so have added them at the bottom as well):
www.facebook.com/mumbleslifeboat
It took just over an hour to get into Swansea Harbour, being dragged at about 7 knots through the water, almost directly into the wind and through the waves. We got very wet but were very grateful to be moving towards safety.
When we got into the outer harbour we were rigged for alongside tow and taken straight in through the Tawe Lock, which was on free flow. The Mumbles Lifeboat then dropped us off to make our own way into the marina with no fuss and barely a chance to say thank you. I cannot get over what a fantastic, professional service the RNLI is, and just how lucky we are to have them. I will never be able to thank them enough.
The marina were expecting us and, because of our troubles, had allocated us a berth just inside the lock gates. We were then met by someone from the Coastguard (another fantastic service that we must all support) to check we were OK and take some details.
We then got our gear together, met up with Rhiannon and adjourned for beer, whiskey and food at Swansea Yacht and Sub-Aqua Club, with Moontide and Preceptor. We then went and slept on the floor at Rhiannon's student flat in Swansea.
Saturday morning we returned to the boat to assess and sort the damage, after having already decided to abandon any thoughts of going on to Ilfracome, mainly due to everything on board being soaked. I was saved having to call Ilfracombe when the Harbourmaster called me after hearing our radio call the previous day (great radio check). All the cushions and other gear were laid out in the sun to dry, had a couple of pints and a sandwich in the Pumphouse, did some shopping for dinner. Actually, a very pleasant day in Swansea.
Xanadu flies internationally recognised signal for "Yesterday, I got my boat full of water"
After a good night's sleep on board we had the traditional Xanadu breakfast and then locked out at 12:00 for Cardiff. Had a great sail back in about 15 knots of wind, beam reaching to Porthcawl and then putting the Spinnaker up. Dropped the Spinnaker at the Rannie and arrived at the barrage in time for the 17:45 lock (but no room so had to wait until 18:15).
All in all, a very eventful weekend.
RNLI Photos:
