MY "MAIDEN" VOYAGE
Don't get me wrong this was not my first voyage, this was my first time on-board the "Yacht Maiden".
This story all started one weekend
after an overnight in Inishbofin (a local Island). We sailed into Clifden
Bay followed by a sixty foot yacht. We got talking to the sailors on board
to find it was indeed the yacht "Maiden", made famous in 1991 by Tracey
Edwards and her all female crew competing in the "Whitbread 'Round The
World Yacht Race". It was now owned by Terry Neilson, he had been hired
to act as "Mother Ship" for a project called "Live That Dream" organised
by Richard Cooper. Richard had a dream of windsurfing around Britain and
Ireland, and making a speed record of it, for some time. Now he was living
that dream, in a sponsored run in aid of the "Marine Conservation Society".
More info on the run can be read on website livethatdream.com After all
this great conversation, and swapping of stories (or lies, as sometimes
happens over drinks), it turns out that the mother ship, Maiden, was short
crewed at that time. "Well Hey Presto", I just happened to be free for
the next few weeks and was asked to join the crew. I did.
Maiden had got to Clifden ahead of Richard and his "Safety Boat", a RIB
following by his side, as there is nowhere to tie-up or anchor in shelter
"as the crow flies" between Loop Head and Slyne Head. This gave Maiden's
crew time for a break ( a few days actually...as it turns out) while Richard
caught up. Sunday 19th September '99 (My Day 1, Richard's Day 29)
After a lot of waiting for Richard to catch up with Maiden from Loop Head,
the boat finally sailed out of Clifden Bay with myself on board for "local
knowledge" and as an extra crew. Terry decided to leave the boat and go
back to the UK to market his next project, now that he had "local knowledge"
on board. Duncan (a team photographer and "Press" contact) had to leave
also, at this time, to sort out some thing in the UK. That left Kevin
(Skipper), Tim (Crew), Sarah (Documentary Producer) and myself (Crew)
to run the "Mother Ship". This didn't just mean sailing the boat but cooking
and cleaning and packing lunches (basically playing "House") for the rest
of the team too. The usual plan would be for Richard to be brought to
his GPS co-ordinates, where he finished windsurfing the previous day,
by the "Safety Boat" complete with Andy (Coach), Steve (Cox), Gaz (Crew)
and John (another Documentary Producer). This part of the team is known
from now on as the "RIB Guys".
Then Mother ship would sail to the anticipated meeting point for the end
of the day, have dinner ready and be the "Base" where everything went
on … meetings, debriefs, briefs, repairs, navigation planning and anything
else that needed to be done. With Richard on his board, the RIB guys,
Maiden's crew and Sophie as van driver (which followed us by road for
any land support that might be needed), the team numbered ten at this
point, with more to follow later.
The main sail had ripped, before I joined,
so we motored out of Clifden Bay then motor-sailed, with the No.1 Genoa
up (Head-sail, also known as "The Genny"), outside all our local islands
to stop for the night at Broadhaven. We tied up there on a spare RNLI
mooring, with permission of course, behind the "Ballyglass Lifeboat".
The RIB guys, with Richard, caught us up and I had my first night on board.
The day was nice and relaxed, with just the four of us left on board,
but the night was a bit different. Ten people on board now, in the one
little room, all doing their own important jobs and stressed out after
the day. I felt that "tension was high", and I was on "Galley Duty" with
Tim. We had to make dinner for all and pack the lunch boxes for Richard
and the RIB guys for the next day, so we were busy, busy, busy. Then,
after dinner, came the nightly meeting, debrief after the day gone by
and brief for the next. As the newest member of the team I felt a little
awkward. Andy in particular seemed a little "Un Friendly" (to use one
phrase) but this, thankfully, changed with time. Monday 20th September
'99 (My Day 2, Richard's 30) Early start to my second day, up at 0600hrs,
breakfast for all.
Richard and his team left at about 0800hrs then we had to tidy up after
everyone and get "Ship Shape", cast off from our mooring and motor sail
from Broadhaven to Killybegs (a fair long haul). Second day out, getting
familiar with how maiden works. Nice wind strength and direction all the
way, with a mix of sun and rain. We tied up at the pier at Killybegs and
after dinner we all went ashore to the "Pier Bar" for tonight's meeting
over a pint or two … Nice, much more relaxed now !!! This gave me a chance
to quiz the whole gang on their profession and sailing background. I learnt
some interesting, and unexpected, things about the individual team members.
I think all were into the "Action Sports" as professionals in some way
or other. Example; Sarah had participated in and "Video Documented" a
"Round the World Powerboat Record" … Wow !!! Duncan showed me some "Ski"
magazines he had photos and articles in ( apparently he appears regularly)
and told me of some of his other great adventures. Andy is a highly ranked
"Windsurf Trainer" by profession. Steve is a big name in the "RIB" scene
in the UK and Europe.
I could go on but … There was a "Gale Warning" broadcast on the VHF for
the next morning and we were not departing until it had passed us by.
A much appreciated sleep-in was had by all next morning.
Tuesday 21st September '99 (My Day 3, Richard's 31) Well the gale never
arrived as we sat in Killybegs Harbour looking at favourable winds until
midday when the gale warning was cancelled and "Safety Officer" Steve
allowed us to continue.
Off we all went with bad vibes all round as we had just lost half a day
of good sailing and Maiden had a long passage ahead to make it to Aran
More Island before dark. Two more crew were to be collected from the Mainland,
by the RIB guys, through a dodgy channel. Needless to say this is better
done in daylight when one is unfamiliar with the area. The day was pretty
much uneventful, more of the same, until we arrived at the moorings (yellow
cans) and spent an hour trying to pick one up. First we lost the boathook
then the line to lasso (lassoo) the buoy wouldn't sink over it and Maiden
got caught in another unmarked rope tied-off another mooring. It was very
windy and dark now, again tension was high, when the RIB guys arrived
and helped put our line on the mooring. By this time Steve refused to
go ashore, to Burton Port in the dark, to collect Duncan (who left us
in Clifden) and Lucy (Kevin's girlfriend). Kevin (understandably so) was
in really bad form … "Don't mention the War" was the general feeling.
No meeting was had this day, tension was too high and the shit would really
fly. I think this was a good decision, made by whoever.
Wednesday 22nd September '99 (My Day 4, Richard's 32) Better vibes amongst
the team this morning but a late start due to discussing the weather and
stuff. This meant we had to wait for the guys to leave before we could
get ship shape and head off for Rathmullen, in Lough Swilly (Co. Donegal),
which was another long passage with a late start. Duncan and Lucy now
on board meant Kevin was happy and the pressure was off Sarah and I for
crewing the boat, cooking and cleaning. A nice sail was had today, no
motor, even though we still couldn't use our main sail, Genny only. Very
favourable winds as we passed inside (east of) Tory Island, along the
Donegal Coast, to eventually reach Lough Swilly's entrance. We motored
in the Swilly to rathmullen to tie up alongside a dodgy little pontoon
in windy conditions. The RIB guys, again, saw us foul it up and had a
good laugh on us … so be it. Tension was high again on board. Meeting
ashore tonight in the "Pier" (or Harbour) Hotel bar. Kevin and Lucy took
time alone and stayed ashore for the night. I stayed at the bar after
the meeting to speak to Valerie (my girlfriend) on the phone as we kept
missing each other's calls, for the last two days, due to bad mobile coverage.
So I vented my feelings, about the last few days experiences, to her.
She consoled me and I was grand again … thanks Val. But, on returning
to the boat and climbing back up on deck I pulled a muscle across my chest.
It became apparent, much later, that I had actually torn the muscle, but
what I didn't know didn't bother me. It was OK at the time but next morning
I was in serious pain which I hoped would pass away soon. It didn't.
Thursday 23rd September '99 (My Day 5, Richard's 33) Another late start
to the day and another long trek ahead. We departed Rathmullen and motored
all the way out of Lough Swilly and across the "North Channel", supposedly
to Islay but because of wind direction, half way across the decision was
made to make a blast further west of Islay on to Colonsay, where under
cover of night we were guided into the pier by a large "Pod" of dolphins,
and tied up late (2300hrs) there. Some went ashore, I didn't, it was too
late after a three hour night passage of serious navigation, it was very
wet out and looked like a long walk to anywhere … no thank you.
Friday 24th September '99 (My Day 6, Richard's 34) Uneventful day sailing
from Colonsay to Tobermoray where we tied up by the Ferry Pier, nice and
early, 1700hrs, to enjoy the evening there. A very nice little Harbour
Town.
(I have yet to finish typing
out my hand written notes on this story. )
