Other PicoMicroYacht

Friday 12 June 2015

Shut out from Littlehampton

The plan was to leave Shoreham by Sea and the row 13 miles down the English Channel to Littlehampton, the next port.

As I set off the coastwatch were looking at me through their binoculars.



Frustratingly, my VHF was flat because I left it on and I could not communicate with them. I had to consider whether to carry on. I still had my flares, a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and my personal locator beacon. I waved and went on my way.

A motorboat was living it up it up as a I departed.



Down the coast there were two fishing boats to avoid as they came up the English Channel. One passed me quite close.





I passed Worthing, normally a grey blur from out at sea. Close up there were some good buildings to view.




Finally I was at Littlehampton. But the harbor was in full ebb and churning up the water outside. I went in for a closer look. It was a bit threatening if I am honest.



A yacht that had been tailing me turned to go in under motor and hit the strong tide, slowing to a crawl. A fishing boat turned in as well.



I realised that there was no way I would be able to get in. I was bouncing up and down already and it would get worse going nowhere very fast.

So I gave up and rowed another five miles down the coast to Felpham where there was a sandy beach and slipway.



No comments:

Post a Comment