The fleet make a dash to Guernsey
49°27.306 N 002°32.059 W
The alarm aboard Blue Fin went off at 0715 hours. All boats had radios on for 0800hrs. As there was bad weather due later in the day, the decision was made to make a dash for Guernsey ahead of schedule. The fleet would depart on the 0947 lock out of St Malo.
One by one all boats were arranged in the lock and were accompanied by three vintage barges. On exiting the lock, Oxygen reported that their starboard engine had overheated. Neale checked their raw water system. All seemed fine and they were happy to continue on their way with no repeat of the problem.
With the wind in west the conditions on the fifty-mile passage were slightly uncomfortable but not unbearable. When the fleet reached St Peter Port it was low tide. There was no water on the fuel berth so the fleet were organised into rafts on the outer waiting pontoon.
There are three other rallies in Victoria Marina, St Peter Port, and the marina is packed to the rafters. The forecast had predicted Force 6-7’s late evening and as I write the wind has increased considerably in the Victoria Marina basin. Luckily the tide is dropping and the fleet will be sheltered by the harbour wall for most of night
Photos – The fleet enter the lock outbound at St Malo, Aquastar Perroquet underway and waiting for the tide; the fleet moored up on the outer waiting pontoon in front of the marina sill.
