January 25, 2016

Caribbean Sailex 2016

January 25, 2016/ John Bryant

The long awaited Caribbean Sailex to the Leeward Islands got off to a good start on Thursday 14th January. Two Oceanis 48's were chartered with 7 on board each yacht. Starting from MARIGOT, Saint Martin both yachts sailed south - beats the UK weather

Text received from Dave Clark aboard Dalton on Thursday 21st January

Dalton had major instrument meltdown two days ago and all except the plotter died. Thierry 1 and Thierry 2 at Dream Yacht Charters have been on the case all day. Including going up a 30 metre mast... a bar stool, especially Neil Mckechan's dodgy ones, are high enough for me smile emoticon — at Jolly Harbour Marina.

Sunday 24th January. Neil sent the following text saying that Joule had a problem

Joule's steering mechanism failed. They were unable to steer properly with the emergency gear so we took them in tow. However they began to take in water and the auto and hand bilg pumps appeared u/s. Towing was very difficult and they began to sink despite bailing. Adrian had sent a pan-pan so upped it to Mayday. We went alongside and took off the ladies. Keith and Adrian stayed on board, then the helicopter arrived and dropped two guys on board. They could not do much so we took Keith and Adrian on board and we're now approaching Deshaies leaving Joule to her fate. Both yachts have already shown major problems requiring DY technicians! Joule's crew remarkably cheerful. Neil

Dalton successfully transferred the crew of Joule to Guadeloupe for the night. Monday 25th January Adrian made contact with Dream. These are the pictures taken by Dave Clark of the attempted rescue and final moments of Joule. Dream Yacht Charter later confirmed she had sunk.

Guadeloupe coast guard dropped from helicopter

Joule low in the water. CG on board with Keith Stedman and Adrian Johnson

Guadeloupe CG on board trying to fix the problem

Joule now very low in the water - time to leave.

Monday 25th January

Neil and his crew plan to press on to Martinique tomorrow morning. Adrian and his crew will discuss their options with Dream Yacht Charter and hopefully join up with Neil and the crew of Dalton on Friday for the last night supper. Much to tell , we wish them all well. We understand that the crew managed to recover most of their personal kit before Joule sank .

Tuesday 26th January.

Neil and his crew aboard Dalton have reviewed the worsening weather forecast and have made a decision to stay put in Basseterre until Thursday then complete two long hops to DY in Martinique. Adrian called from the DY base in Guadeloupe saying that he and Keith have now completed their reports and will spend Tuesday and Wednesday exploring Guadeloupe. They spent the first night in a hotel and are now based on a super CAT on the marina - bags of room and great sleeping with en-suite facilities. On Thursday they will either fly or take the fast Sea CAT to Martinique. Have Friday to explore then meet up with Dalton's crew friday evening for dinner.

Thursday 28th January

Neil's text arrived 21:30 hours today. After two days in Basseterre, Guadeloupe to let high winds pass through, Dalton left at 06:30 bound for Dominica. Passage between th islands was rather bumpy with high seas and a big squall gusting 35Kn approx. In the lee of Dominica the seas subsided and we made good progress to Roseau at 14:00 hours. Now on a mooring and cleared in/out by customs. Neil

Adrian and the crew of Joule made a decision to tale the flight rather than the Fast CAT and arrived in Martinique before lunch. Dream Yacht had no suitable yacht free for the crew to use for a couple of days/nights so Adrian made a decision to check into a hotel for Thursday and Friday nights.

Friday 29th January

At 5.00 pm Neil sent a text to say that Dalton was safely moored up in the Dream yacht base in Martinique, and they were having a beer after a long 68Nm trip from Dominica. They all ate ashore in the evening. reports good.

Saturday 30th January

Hand over day for Neil and later all will make their way to the airport for the flight home which leaves Fort de France at 19:25 Caribbean time ( 23:25 UK time) scheduled to arrive Paris at 8:30 on Sunday morning. The final leg with BA to London then onward by road to the respective homes.

Sunday 31st January

Air France flight from Martinique arrived Paris Orly at 9.09 this morning some 39 minutes later than scheduled. Next leg BA Orly to London scheduled to depart 10.45 and arrive Heathrow and arrive London at 11:10 - Stats show arrival at 11:12. Unfortunately more lost luggage but this time hoped for recovery.

Looking forward to the TOG annual Dinner / Disco two weeks today on Saturday 13th January at Quorn Grange, Leicestershire, to get first hand accounts. Bookings for our Annual Dinner / Disco are now near if not already at maximum. Any last minute interest must be directed to Andy McWilliam - see the Social Page.

October 06, 2015

Ian Calderwood – Old Pulteney Maritime Hero 2015

October 06, 2015/ John Bryant

Each year Old Pulteney, the “maritime malt whisky”, invites nominations from sailing clubs for their “maritime heroes” in the categories: club service, sailing achievement and bravery.

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This year the council of Trent Offshore Group nominated Ian Calderwood for his ten year record of editing and producing our journal TOGline. In 2005 Ian was "persuaded" to take over the editorship of TOGline - our quarterly newsletter in black and white with rather staid factual reports of our various sailing expeditions. Ian livened up the magazine very successfully - particularly with his witty editorial comment, his encouragement of a more interesting and lively sailing reports and full colour illustrations.

In ten years as editor he has never failed to produce a timely and entertaining edition and he has an excellent way of cajoling copy out of reluctant or reticent contributors. Ian is now one of thirty finalists for the award of Old Pulteney Maritime Hero and will receive a certificate and a bottle of 12 year aged Old Pulteney. He follows other TOG recipients in earlier years including John Bryant, Arthur Wood, Mark Davis and Keith Stedman.

February 24, 2015

Annual Awards Dinner and Dance

February 24, 2015/ TOG Webmaster

Members and guests attended a relaxed and informal Dinner and Dance at the Greetham Valley Golf Club on Saturday, 31st January 2015.

The event provides an opportunity to present the Annual Awards to those deserving souls whom Council believe to have earned them over the course of the year. The following awards were announced and presented by the Presiding Master.

THE ELLIS TROPHY for the most promising newcomer goes to Jean Bevan who joined us in the Windward Isles January 2015 - not really knowing too much about the group or her fellow crew members. We hope that Jean will join us again soon on another trip, but unfortunately she cannot be with us this evening. Mary Bancroft accepted the Trophy on Jean’s behalf.

THE NAVIGATOR’S TANKARD goes to Neville Buckle who discovered the club through our website and joined the crew of Tres Jolie on the cross channel trip to the Baie de la Seine and then later, on the October Sailex in the Solent. Neville has all the makings of a stalwart TOG member

THE MILLENIUM TROPHY is awarded by TOGLINE editor’s choice in recognition of contributions to TOGLINE. It is awarded to Kevin Martin, who wrote an excellent report on the Scottish Sailex as skipper of Ruby Too.

THE COMMODORE’S CUP for long standing service to the club as enthusiastic crew member, unstintingly cheerful navigator and all round good egg goes to the editor of TOGLINE himself, Ian Calderwood.

Finally, your council has agreed to award a new trophy in tribute to and in memory of, our first Presiding Master, Norman Allen. Appropriately, this is a fine tankard and it goes to a relatively new member - someone who has already made a considerable mark in the group through his enthusiasm, experience and expertise; and who, most recently as skipper of the successful Pembrokeshire cruise, drew much praise from his crew. Alan Mortimore is the first recipient of the Norman Allen Trophy.”

After a number of years, we have resurrected the PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD for the most impressive picture submitted, with its accompanying article, to TOGLINE. This year it goes to Rowland Charge for his picture of sunset on Loch na Drum Buie during the Scottish Sailex.

There is always a slideshow at the Annual Dinner, on this occasion arranged by Paul Ratcliffe, our membership Secretary, showing slides sent in at Paul’s request. A presentation was made to the most prolific supplier of those slides - again a joint effort by Kevin and Linda Martin.

May 18, 2014

Baie de la Seine Sailex

May 18, 2014/ TOG Webmaster

11th May 2014

Four TOG crew, led by Training Master Dave Bond delayed making their channel crossing due to strong winds and spent the night in Portsmouth :-/

12th May 2014

Weather conditions have improved and we are happy to report that all four boats departed Portsmouth at 0400 hrs Monday 12th May and arrived safely in Le Harve some 12 hours later :-)

13th May 2014

All boats safely arrive in Honfleur, although one was delayed due to problems with the main halyard.

Wednesday 14th May

Departed Honfleur and made our way to Ouistreham where we visited Pegasus Bar and museum.

Thursday 15th May

Tres Jolie, Skippered by Stewart and Soirée, Skippered by Dave made a 14 hour passage to Gosport in very light winds and bright sun. Vis a Vis, Skippered by Phil, delayed by halyard break stayed the day in Ouistreham and intended to cross last night.