A fleet of eight boats steadily gathered in Poole on Tuesday afternoon, joining Navy Blues who had decided to start things early, with Bonney and Arctic Dawn planning to join in Cherbourg.
A tour of the RNLI facilities was a fascinating way to spend Wednesday morning. We saw some of the training available for crew, from boat handling to sea survival and rescue practice. The indoor pool looked a very benign environment, but that was because the lights were on and the wave machine was switched off. A video showed how different it was when full storm conditions were simulated.
There are obviously extra challenges when presented with a yacht rescue, and there was a suitable vessel to aid practice. One concerned local resident contacted the RNLI to suggest the owner of Splashdown didn’t take the boat out anymore, as it had needed rescuing so many times, not realising it was a training boat!
We had the opportunity to try the RNLI simulator, so see how easy (or not) it was to rescue swimmers in the water from a burning ship. The magic button to decrease wave heights proved elusive to those who were hoping to take it with them. The simulator did demonstrate that it was possible to make people feel seasick in a room that wasn’t actually moving.
During the tour we learned that it costs an eye watering half a million pounds per day to finance the RNLI. With 97% of the costs coming from private donations, it’s a remarkable feat to keep operations running.
Drinks and canapes were provided on board Catry later in the day. An attempt was made at anchovies on fried bread. Every scrap was eaten, but the experienced culinary skills of Titian were greatly missed.
Thursday saw the fleet head south to Cherbourg. There was barely more than a hint of wind, so it was a steady motor across the Channel. Fortunately, it was a sunny day, so everybody could sit back, relax and soak up the sun.
A couple of boats had delayed arrivals, Rubicon had gone to the aid of some ‘damsels in distress’, and towed their boat into harbour, while Chesterton had needed some boat repairs en-route. By evening, all 11 boats were safely in harbour.
After a layover day in Cherbourg, it was time to sail east to St Vaast. As should be expected for a Newbury event, the wind was forecast to be on the nose for most of the way. What else is the pointy thing at the top of the mast for, if not to show direction of travel? As it transpired, only a couple of tacks were actually required before the turn south towards St Vaast, so it provided some activity rather than a tough beat. Bonney suffered engine problems, so was sadly left behind, meaning only 10 boats reached St Vaast.
Some keen eyes spotted a boat with fenders still hanging over the side, well after Cherbourg had been left behind. Sadly, one of the boats who’d noticed the transgression then realised they’d made the same mistake. The sound of a laughing hyena from a third boat, with the ‘hyena’ waving a fender high in the air, proved that Uncle Albert was watching.
Berthing in St Vaast posed a few challenges, from finding an empty berth, so mooring on the world’s shortest fingers.
We had a couple of days planned for St Vaast, with activities including cycling to Utah Beach or Barfleur for the more energetic. While the cyclists visit to Utah Beach appeared to resemble a stage of the Tour de France, there was also a more leisurely approach which utilised a hire car.
One of the main attractions in St Vaast itself was the emporium of Monsieur Gosselin. It was described as a ‘wonder of Normandy’, and it was soon clear to see why. The store frontage belied the size of the inside, with room after room of delights to purchase. The numerous wine, rum and whiskey rooms were worth a look alone.
The best laid plans never last long when it comes to sailing, and the timing for a departure from St Vaast was up for discussion when the forecast for the week ahead was viewed. Winds topping 30knts, from the wrong direction, were deemed unfavourable by a very substantial majority, so an extra night was booked. It was hardly going to be a hardship to stay longer in St Vaast.
Monday saw a group visit to Tatihou Island on the ‘Duck Bus’. It was low tide when we returned to the mainland, so we travelled back across the exposed seabed, past the numerous Oyster beds.
Being Bastille Day, there was a torchlight procession, following a group of very enthusiastic drummers around the harbour in the evening. An impressive firework display on the harbour wall finished the night.
The extra time in St Vaast allowed a few boats repairs and improvements, another tradition of a NYC cruise! The Club’s chief engineer proved Rubicon’s VHF and AIS could pick up activity further afield than six miles, with radio traffic heard from Nab anchorage. Navigation lights were tested, ahead of upcoming night sailing, which prompted adjustments to Chesterton’s port light (which isn’t meant to be orange) and Rubicon’s tricolour, which failed to illuminate at all.
Drinks were provided by the harbour office, complemented by hors d’oeuvres from Samollu, which progressed to an end of cruise dinner at The Marina restaurant.
With the weather for the following few days causing some changing plans, the fleet gradually dispersed, some travelling via Cherbourg, others direct across the channel from St Vaast.
For the boats returning via Cherbourg, there was the opportunity to reunite with Bonney, who had remained in-situ while awaiting engine parts. Considerable hospitality was provided, with a week’s worth of canapes consumed within a couple of hours. There was also an impromptu rum tasting session, which severely depleted Bonney’s stocks.
For those returning across the Channel on Thursday, there was limited wind in the morning, which began to steadily fill in. Then the fog appeared between the shipping lanes, reducing the visibility considerably. Fortunately, the fog had lifted before reaching The Needles, allowing a more relaxed night sail through the Solent for those heading back in that direction.
The official stamping in and out of France, plus the inevitable customs declarations were a little tiresome but straightforward for most. Only one boat enjoyed a personal visit from Border Force, being boarded while off the Isle of Wight.
To keep up with NYC traditions, there were a number of bids for consideration as an Uncle Albert contender. As well as the forgotten fenders, there was a life jacket inadvertently deployed, and a boat who made several attempts to sink itself by detaching hoses that should have been attached to the engine.
8th – 18th July 2025