MBM fleet go dolphin and shark watching on passage to Fowey
Monday 17th July
Day 10
Position – Visitors Pontoons, Fowey Harbour
50°20′.028 N 004° 37.778 W
At 0600hrs the alarm went off aboard Calm Voyager. At 0645hrs Time Flies left harbour with Jon and Rob aboard, just moments after the RIB reported back that the sea conditions were flat calm. With a VHF announcement at 0700hrs, it was all systems go. By 0800hrs the fleet had exited Falmouth and were on passage to Fowey.
As it was early start and such a beautiful hot, sunny day, cruise leader Neale had suggested to the MBM fleet to make the most of the day and explore the many bays along the way. The fleet dispersed, with some going further west to explore the Helford River, some boats had anchored in secluded bays for swimming and others had rafted up in the pretty harbour of Mevagissey.
As the boats approached Mevagissey they spotted a small group of what was first thought to be Basking Sharks. Later on, the general consensus was that they must be Dolphins. The sight was magical. The Dolphins had seemed totally unfazed by the presence as six motorboats, with their engines gently purring away, drifted around watching them.
Further out of the bay another cluster of MBM boats had assembled. This time they were watching a lone, adolescent Basking Shark. Again the shark seemed totally unfazed by the boats as it moved swiftly in-between the boats, with its huge mouth open.
Meanwhile Time Flies had entered Fowey Harbour and Rob and Jon were assisting berthing the boats that had chosen to go straight to port. The Harbour Master had reserved two large independent pontoons. By 1900hrs the fleet was complete again and the boat crews took water taxis and tenders ashore to explore the bustling town. Tomorrow the MBM fleet has rest day in Fowey and the following day they will make their way to Salcombe.
Look out for the full postcard report in the October issue
