The winter programme has been put on the website as far ahead as the end of December. Some dates are cast in stone, but not all, so if you have a particular request for a course call me and let me know your requirements. Additional dates for Spring 2011 will be posted shortly.
We have shorebased courses from beginner to Yachtmaster Ocean running over the winter so if you are interested or you know of a friend who might also be interested pass on the website details. www.maritimeconnection.co.uk
Congratulations are due to the crew of Hoodlum, who improved on last year’s second in class at West Highland Week. I was privileged to witness their triumphant return to Troon with silverware held aloft. Well done all of you. A tough act to follow. Pity I had no camera aboard the RIB to capture the moment. Love the Facebook photos, especially the one outside the distillery that made me make the comment that you all looked more like an ageing rock band than a bunch of yacht racing hot-shots! Were any name suggestion sever pasted on the Club noticeboard? Scottish Series next year, Robin?
It is amazing how many small vessels seem unaware of the Troon Harbour entry signals. If a large commercial vessel is about to enter or leave the Harbour, the lights on the West Pier will show a flashing yellow light above two greens and a white. Before this, an announcement will be made on Channel 16, with a request to go to Ch 14, to hear the content of the message. All vessels are requested to observe these signals and to call Associated British Ports (Troon Harbour) on channels 16 or 14 if in need of advice.
I am now wearing my Troon Lifeboat Operations Manager’s hat to remind all boat owners that the Institution runs a Seacheck system where a member of the team will come on board to advise you of the type of equipment you should carry on your yacht. It is a free service run by RNLI trained volunteers and you book a time to suit you. Our South Ayrshire representative is Bill Templeton on 01292 268072 or 07762203200. Bill will be delighted to advise you.
You may have noticed that the light on the end of the west pier is undergoing some restoration. The dome has been removed and a new one is under construction by a local company. Scottish Heritage has this as a listed building so the cylindrical base had to remain as it is. It has been cleaned, primed and painted which will make it last for many more years.
The new dome will permit more light to emanate from it, the intensity of the light has been increased and a new feature is to be a circular walkway around the dome to make the glass easier to clean. The characteristic of the light remains unchanged.
There seems to be some confusion around regarding the removal of the title of Coastal Skipper. As of 01.01.10 the name ceased to exist and is being rebranded as Yachtmaster Coastal. The title Yachtmaster Offshore remains unchanged.
“Broadsword, this is Danny boy”
You get a gold star if you can name the film from which this line came and a chocolate watch for the name of the actor who delivered it.
Since the sale of Saracen I seem to have dropped below the radar for RYA practical courses. News is ………………. I’m back with a bigger and newer boat!
Broadsword is a Jeanneau 49 Deck Saloon that delivers on luxury and fantastic sailing. From 2011 I’ll be offering the full range of RYA training courses from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster Preparation and judging from this year’s student exam results I’m getting it right. Who else is offering such luxury for RYA Training? At 49′ in length Broadsword makes very fast passages and in addition to all the RYA Training going on I’ll be running island-hopping cruises on the west coast in 2011. So if you are planning a training course for next season give me a call and I’ll book you in.
In Troon we have up to 5 resident Harbour seals that are often seen swimming close to yachts in the hope of being offered some fish. This can present a problem because as seals seem to be unable to distinguish between fishing vessels and pleasure craft they treat the latter as another source of food and are quite prepared to come up very close and take anything on offer. Last week one tried to board my RIB and had it’s head and shoulders above the level of the tubes and another attacked the end of a fender rope hanging from Spanker. Some people have been seen trying to hand feed them mackerel from their boat. Make no mistake – these seals have very sharp teeth and claws and are capable of moving at lightning speed. Just make sure they don’t disappear with one of your fingers as well as the mackerel you are offering.
Congratulations to three of my students, all of whom are members of Troon Cruising Club, who gained their full Yachtmaster Offshore qualification within the last few months. They are:
Gary (the hero) Muir, Colin Paterson and Stuart Powrie.
Congratulations too, to Robin Ferguson and the Hoodlums, who finished second overall during the West Highland Week Regatta. Four firsts and a fourth elevates these guys into the stuff legends are made of………………..
If you see some words are missing a letter “a” it is because my keyboard has a missing key requiring the “a” key to be struck with the impact of a piledriver in order to make any impression on it. I sometimes think I should substitute every “a” with a “z” and thzt might mzke for more exciting rezding.
I am now about to enter the blogosphere, like Captain Kirk taking the USS Enterprise into its first worm hole. I do so with some excitement and trepidation, not to mention sweaty palms hovering above the keyboard. To be honest I have no idea what a good blog consists of, what the likely content is, or the tone that it should take. So like the lone luddite sailor blundering into the unknown without navaids I am on a wing and a prayer, stumbling ever onward toward the abyss. Truth and honesty will prevail! Live Long and Prosper me hearties!