MYA Newsletter
MYA NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009
The MYA website is the place to find all the current MYA news, and to take part in discussions on the Forum. If you have website access please use the website - the more the merrier!
In February
Mark Hillman gave a talk about his sail to Iceland, Greenland and Canada.
He set off last summer from Maryport and sailed up the West Coast of Scotland via the Hebrides. He crossed to The Faroes before sailing on to Iceland.
Whilst sailing around the the NW coast of Iceland he was joined by his wife. They both enjoyed walking and seeing the wildlife, as well as sailing.
Mark sailed on to Greenland and Canada, before leaving his yacht laid up for the winter in North America.
The talk was greatly enjoyed by all who attended.
This Summer Mark brought Milly Brown back across the Atlantic via The Azores. Milly Brown is now berthed at Whitehaven.
This is Mark’s last entry in his online Blog: http://blog.mailasail.com/millybrown/164
It was an interesting trip up from Milford Haven. We came out into a moderate southerly breeze, but with a rather bouncy sea and set off west round St Ann's Head and inside Skokholm Island. There we found a little yacht with no jib set, its boom to windward and a failed outboard. Suspecting their sailing skills were not adequate for the conditions we towed them 3.5 miles back round St Ann's Head. They had arranged a tow from further in and set off down wind into the haven. We both talked to the Coastguards who by now were well aware of their condition.
We motor sailed back, then through Jack's Sound inside Skomer Island. As we approached we were called up by the yacht behind us, asking if we were the Milly Brown from Anglesey. We replied that the boat had lived there previously, two owners and 10 years ago. They asked if we knew the narrow passage through Jack's Sound and would follow us, but they would turn quickly if we stopped. We were against the tide which made it bouncy going in with the wind behind us, but smoother as soon as we got into shelter. There were no bumps.
Then we ran across to the sound inside Ramsey Island. By now the tide was with us so we sluiced though. >From there it is 60 miles across Cardigan Bay to Bardsey Island. We made good progress until the tide turned against us and dawn saw us creeping away from Bardsey Island with the crew, Martin, one of the two Martins who came on the leg up the Hebrides the previous year, muttering about how bright the lighthouse was.
We had both spent time that night working out the complex tides through the Menai Straights and put the engine on to push us over the tide. Another crew had hoped to join us in Caernarvon, but was stopped by work and perhaps Sunday trains. With our motoring we thought we could just get through the Swellies, where the tide runs at 8 knots. We did and then talked of stopping at Beaumaris. No. We kept going for the Isle of Man, initially for Port St Ann at the southern end, but at dusk we picked up a mooring in Douglas after more motoring to keep the speed up. A day and a half, not too bad.
The following morning we set off across for Cumbria. The skipper rebelled against more motoring, with the wind still behind us. If it had held we would have got into Whitehaven before low tide, but to put the engine on every time the wind drops a bit is cheating. I was not sure of the tides at Whitehaven and to motor hard only to find the water too low anyway seemed silly. We pottered and Martin caught mackerel so the wait for the tide to come back was not completely wasted. Fresh mackerel is always a treat.
We had been given different times for the water at the lock gates and in the Solway the tide does vary with wind and air pressure. But the tide tables were right, perhaps we could have got in four hours earlier. We were picked up by car from Whitehaven and got to our beds at home that night, so it worked out anyway. A quick trip.
Very Well Done to Mark - an amazing adventure!
On Saturday 11th April we held our Spring Muster
At the Labour Club, Maryport.
Ernie Inglis led our Summer Cruise around the Isle of Man for a fortnight at the end of July.
Three yachts went on the cruise. Diandus, Strathfarrar, Charlie Girl.
Ernie had intended to go around Anglesey, but with prevailing fresh southerly winds we had to carry out plan B, and went around the Isle of Man instead.
We sailed to Ramsey, Douglas, Port St Mary, through Calf Sound and into the new marina at Peel. Then around the Point of Ayre to Ramsey again. Finishing off at Whitehaven for a super weekend at the Festival of Food, before returning to Maryport.
Whilst “storm bound” at Port St Mary we travelled by bus to visit Port Erin and Castletown.
We were lucky enough to see Basking Sharks and dolphins as we came up the coast to Peel.
Although the conditions at sea were rather challenging at times the cruise was wonderful, and greatly enjoyed by all who went on the cruise.
Ernie intends leading a Summer Cruise through the Crinan Canal to Islay and Jura next year.
Watch this space!
The AGM was held at the Navy Club, Maryport on Saturday 24th October.
Members who were unable to attend can obtain the Minutes of the Meeting from the Hon. Secretary.
The Laying Up Supper was held at the Lifeboat Inn.
On Saturday 24th October.
As usual there was a Buffet, Quiz and Raffle. Entertainment was provided by Billy Davis.
Everyone got into the party mood and had a good night.
We were invited to a meal and a talk by Martin Elloy, about his sail around Britain, by the Whitehaven Yachting and Boating Association. This took place at the Rum Story and was a very good chance to have contact with sailors from Whitehaven. Martin’s talk was interesting and the food was excellent.
The Friendship Race at Whitehaven took place in September, but due to poor weather on the day before the race yachts from Maryport were unable to attend. However, Milly Brown and Meniscus took part (being based at Whitehaven) on behalf of Maryport.
Saturday 19th September. Friendship Sail/BBQ at Maryport.
10 yachts & 1 motorboat went out from Maryport Marina for the MYA Friendship Sail/ Amble to the East Buoy of Robin Rigg Windfarm.
deltamoon
lydia b
ulluva
charlie girl
kendra
flame
oddysey
draig-y-mor
strathfarrar
white flame
meander
Boats round the buoy were:
lydia b, draig-y-mor, oddysey,meander, ulluva, kendra, with deltamoon.
There was a bit of confusion over the co-ordinates and the way boats were sailing in different directions, but that was only due to wind and tide and the navigator!
Co-ordinates for the buoy were correct, We can only improve!!!! on our organisation for the next one - plenty of volunteers now,
It was very encouraging that non-members took part in the friendship sail/amble and the BBQ.
The BBQ took place on the harbour side after the Sail. It was well attended and a good time was had by all, despite the rather heavy shower nearer the end.
The MYA will be organising more events like this in the new year.
The Incident at Maryport Marina
Storm Damage <http://www.maryport-mya.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=774>
Sat Oct 03, 2009
A very shocking and sad day at Maryport Marina today.
Please see photos on Mport link Main Page. www. Maryport-mya.co.uk
Commiserations to everyone whose boat was damaged, on behalf of MYA.
Now known to be caused by a failure of the gate locking mechanism.
from the Minutes of the AGM :
it was finally decided that a letter should be sent to MDL requesting an explanation as to why there had been NO information forthcoming from MDL as to what was going to happen and what compensation the berth holders could expect. Also expressing all the concerns and grievances about this disaster on behalf of all MYA members. To this effect Brian Morton was to put the request on the Website asking members who hadn’t attended the meeting to contact Ian Johnson with their concerns by Saturday 7th November AT THE LATEST!
Contact Ian by e-mail at ian.johnson@cumbriacc.gov.uk <mailto:ian.johnson@cumbriacc.gov.uk>
i_johnson7@sky.com <mailto:i_johnson7@sky.com>
Or by mail at 33 Fleming Street,
Maryport
Cumbria
CA 15 SHJ
There is now a For Sale, and a Wanted listing on the Forum.
Please post items for Sale and Wanted in the relevant listings.
Clubroom - the Commodore has been working tirelessly to try to secure a Clubroom for the MYA. A bid was again submitted for the building that was the previous Clubroom, but this was topped by another bid - so no progress on this front at the minute, but the Commodore and the Committee haven’t given up! We will keep on trying to secure a Clubroom for the Members of MYA, and visitors to the Marina.
Please do use the Website it is for the benefit of members - don’t be shy!
Margaret Morton. MYA Newsletter Editor: mortonmerl@aol.com
