Round ireland 2013

[T 15]

Originally Posted by T 15

Top Hat and Merlin near headland to west of Flint now on AIS but only at at 8 / 7 knots.

A real long day.

Now into harbour.....

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by T 15

Now into harbour.....

Loooong day and night! Good work.

[Daibheid]

Originally Posted by T 15

Now into harbour.....

That's a relief - I was anxious at how slow Merlin was moving near Fenit. One hell of a long stretch -I wouldn't fancy another day of slogging after a trip of that length but Dingle's not so bad and the weather may ease a little.
"Forecast for coasts from Mizen Head to Slyne Head to Erris Head
Wind: Mainly east to northeast at first between Slyne Head and Erris Head, force 4 or 5, continuing to veer southerly this evening, becoming cyclonic variable later tonight and for a time tomorrow, force 3 to 5, later increasing west to northwest, force 4 or 5."

[longjohn]

Originally Posted by whisper

Had a text from Trev last night....

"Baby blue is hanging together well. Only 120 miles tomorrow". (Today)
:

Thats good to hear!

[two stroke mick]

After reading paul G posting is sounds like a very difficult day. Am I correct in noting that the mechainical failures are generally he larger boats?.

Andy P has not had much luck of the good type on this trip.

TSM

[MustRib]

Spent night in A and E in Tralee having my back and shoulder looked at . Sadly Docs wont let me continue by boat. Stu (Roguewave) has been spelling me at the hem of Merlin over past two days when my back couldn't take anymore and he is going to take the boat on from Fenit. I want to keep going round by land so on the scrounge for a lift from a land based support vehicle or fellow ribnetter. WillK are you stil driving as I will take up your offer of a ride.
Anyone else driving the route ??
Text me on +44 7785570605 thanks.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by MustRib

Spent night in A and E in Tralee having my back and shoulder looked at . Sadly Docs wont let me continue by boat. Stu (Roguewave) has been spelling me at the hem of Merlin over past two days when my back couldn't take anymore and he is going to take the boat on from Fenit. I want to keep going round by land so on the scrounge for a lift from a land based support vehicle or fellow ribnetter. WillK are you stil driving as I will take up your offer of a ride.
Anyone else driving the route ??
Text me on +44 7785570605 thanks.

Bad luck Andy, hope you get a lift to carry on.
Recon you will be dining out on this one for the rest of your life
Chin up

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by MustRib

Spent night in A and E in Tralee having my back and shoulder looked at . Sadly Docs wont let me continue by boat. Stu (Roguewave) has been spelling me at the hem of Merlin over past two days when my back couldn't take anymore and he is going to take the boat on from Fenit. I want to keep going round by land so on the scrounge for a lift from a land based support vehicle or fellow ribnetter. WillK are you stil driving as I will take up your offer of a ride.
Anyone else driving the route ??
Text me on +44 7785570605 thanks.

Sorry to hear that Andy. Hope you are ok.

Are you SERIOUS about taking a lift from Willk? Have you ever been in the Landy when he's driving??

[M.Thornton]

Well that was an exciting day.We set off from Clew bay after refuelling at Westport the refuelling team are great. We had a look at the very pretty harbour at Inishboffin then on to Slyne head after rounding the headland it became really challenging with some big confused seas .due to time constraints we decided to head due south for Trallee but after about two hours the wind went due south.We we travelling with the 7.5m Scorpion Top Cat and the 5.5m Delta Option4 .The small Delta was starting to struggle with the big seas so we changed course to 120 and ran behind the Arran islands. After a short lunch break we set off for the fantastic cliffs of Moher which we ran very close in marvelling at the goats perched on top! We then set off for Trallee the seas were very lumpy .A pod of dolphins nearly rammed the boat how we avoided hitting one I don't know When we were about 10 miles north of Kilkee the 200 Optimax on the Scorpion stopped without warning after checking the obvious,kill cord,fuel lines ect. We realised that we had a problem Top cat carries a full diagnostic kit and it was showing a bad electrical connection we tightened and sprayed everything but after a few false starts we realised that it was a towing situation we notified Hugo via Michaela on by cell phone,we were out of range by VHF and proceeded to tow.By fantastic good fortune we we only 8 miled to the south of the safe haven of Lisscanor.We sent the Delta on ahead to recce and set off towing.We were towing in a very big following sea and we snapped the first tow line .We doubled every thing up and set off again (you can't have enough lines on a boat!) It was very hard to get the formula right ,to long and Top cat would have broached and rolled,to short and we would have had a 7.5m scopion with no brakes up and over our transom.We finally got it right and set off at7.5 knots for Lisscannor Ross did a sterling job of helming in those very tricky seas timing the big following Atlantic rollers just right.After two long hours we made it safely into the lovely little harbour of Liscannor. Terry of option4 had managed to book us all into the local hotel and the staff reopened the dining room for us and served 7 very tired,very smelly stranded mariners.If there is a more welcoming ,helpfully race af people that the Irish I have yet to find them .After a good nights sleep we are going to try to sort the Opti out.The big 250 E-tec on
Black Hawk hasn't missed a beat yet but all fingers are firmly crossed.
In retrospect we were very lucky if the incident had occurred off Slyne head or under the cliffs of Moher we could have been in real trouble ,seems that the a little bit of Irish luck has rubbed off on us .Weather forecast today is heavy rain possible tornados so we are staying put for 24 hrs.Just one question why is Irish rain so much wetter than the English stuff?
Mike Thornton
Team Black hawk

[MustRib]

Double Post oops

[two stroke mick]

Is there a DVD being made of this event like there was for the RB4?

[Daibheid]

Originally Posted by M.Thornton

Well that was an exciting day........
Mike Thornton
Team Black hawk

Brilliant update - thank you and respect to all of you -especially the smaller boats- for hanging in there. Commiserations to those forced to retire - especially Andy.

Here's what you might have hit if you were running thorugh Galway Bay earlier today!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...3241016&type=1

[Gentiana]

pan pan now lifted, lifeboat escorts (those who took cover in Galway) into Fenit

[Day Dream's]

1rib on toe by lifeboat and escorting 2 others back to Fenit

[T 15]

From the RI website, 5 hours ago, all other teams safely in Dingle and refuelling.

[M.Thornton]

Well another interesting tale for al you Ribsters. We left Lasscanor after fixing the engine on Top Cat . Gordon had to disconnect the power trim and tilt smart gauge (bloody technoliogy-computer said no) We had to play catch up get to the fuel bowser. We had a good run to the Dingle peninsula then the sh*t hit the fan. Have never drive a rib through a tornado before, we felt like a bit of fluf in a Dyson! When we were halfway along the top of the Dingle peninsula we were ordered by the coast-guard not to attempt rounding the headland so we sought shelter in a nice little bay with a sheltered sandy beach. We ran our anchor lines to the shore and the 3 Amigos Black Hawk, Top Cat & Option4 were lying nicely at anchor with an off-shore wind. There were no local facilities so it was Bivvy bags on the sand dunes ,at least the dunes didn't bounce around. We were very concerned to listen to the PanPan regarding three missing ribs ,we had told the coastguard where we were so we knew it wasn't us ,we had also phoned Michaela. We were very relieved with the successful outcome. When I was about to snuggle down in my Bivvy I was approached by a walker who wanted to know if we were part of the jelly-fish survey group, I said no just our wobbly legs!
When we awoke the wind had veered and the Delta was high and dry pushing her back into the water was fairly knackering. We sat off for Dingle this morning and were greeted by the local Dolphin and very welcome showers This is very exciting Ribbing ,at times on the edge but living live to the max - VIPERMAX

Mike t.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by M.Thornton

Well another interesting tale for al you Ribsters. We left Lasscanor after fixing the engine on Top Cat . Gordon had to disconnect the power trim and tilt smart gauge (bloody technoliogy-computer said no) We had to play catch up get to the fuel bowser. We had a good run to the Dingle peninsula then the sh*t hit the fan. Have never drive a rib through a tornado before, we felt like a bit of fluf in a Dyson! When we were halfway along the top of the Dingle peninsula we were ordered by the coast-guard not to attempt rounding the headland so we sought shelter in a nice little bay with a sheltered sandy beach. We ran our anchor lines to the shore and the 3 Amigos Black Hawk, Top Cat & Option4 were lying nicely at anchor with an off-shore wind. There were no local facilities so it was Bivvy bags on the sand dunes ,at least the dunes didn't bounce around. We were very concerned to listen to the PanPan regarding three missing ribs ,we had told the coastguard where we were so we knew it wasn't us ,we had also phoned Michaela. We were very relieved with the successful outcome. When I was about to snuggle down in my Bivvy I was approached by a walker who wanted to know if we were part of the jelly-fish survey group, I said no just our wobbly legs!
When we awoke the wind had veered and the Delta was high and dry pushing her back into the water was fairly knackering. We sat off for Dingle this morning and were greeted by the local Dolphin and very welcome showers This is very exciting Ribbing ,at times on the edge but living live to the max - VIPERMAX

Mike t.

Sounds awesome

[Adam M-S]

Having entered RI13 with a known back issue it was perhaps always going to be questionable whether we would make the whole trip. I felt confident that I had prepared as much as possible but was also accepting that at some point my continued participation could be cut short.
Prior to our departure we have decided that we had entered as a team and would - should it come to it - retire as a team. In reality this is what happened as my back started to show the all too familiar signs following the long run from Bangor to Killibegs. After 30 years of 'managing' my back I reverted to my cocktail of painkillers/muscle relaxants and anti inflammatory pills and sure enough within 24hrs. was pretty much unable to walk. Such 'episodes' normally last about 4 days and today things are a little better.
Since being forced to retire I have been following the 'posts' and have been in touch with one or two via 'text'. Having had limited experience of such events it is hard not to overstate the sense of bonding and camaraderie that such challenges evoke - and in a very short period of time. The sense of disappointment and very real emotion when stood on the quayside at Killybegs watching the others leave was not something I expected and hard to explain.
The conditions since Killybegs have clearly tested each and everyone but the determination of the surviving crews will hopefully see the 'challenge' completed.
For our part we are now back in the midlands having completed a different 'challenge'. Over the last three days we have got ourselves back form Killybegs , down to Neyland (to collect Land Rover and trailer) before returning to Killybegs , collecting MASH II and then driving back through Ireland and then ferry to Holyhead then home !
Would we do it again ? Most definitely and without a second thought. My back will always be a concern on such adventures and having experienced the generosity of others to 'skipper' the boat while I recovered this is an alternative I had not counted on but one which in future I would take every time.
Since this adventure began my children have been following the event on the various mediums available. My youngest daughter's favourites are Mo and Hannah and their 'fantastic pink boat' ! In her words - 'girl power !'
For me the whole event has been a real experience - right down to the logistics of collecting MASH from Killybegs.
Each and every team has done incredibly well to get as far as they have - and in such testing conditions. Every day now the list of casualties increases but hopefully all the participants have taken positives from the experience - and those still 'running' will complete this awesome event.
Undoubtably the highlights for me were the people I met. Hugo's organisation (and Michaela's) was spot on. Paul and Dai (Freya ?) and Paul (Top Hat) were huge sources of encouragement and support. Huw and Sarah (Seawolf) provided superb support to the aforementioned safety boats and I want Huw's ICE suspension unit !!! Failing that Linley's will do ! Gilles (Kalish) , Jurgen (Searider), Peter and Cheryl (Mad Tubes) along with Trevor and Richard (Baby Blue ) and Mike (Hot Lemon) were all cruising companions at some time or another and although - due to size - we did not see too much of the smaller boats crews on the water everyone mucked in and added to the atmosphere.
A speciaL thanks -for me - must go to the 3 ribs from 'the north' - Option 4 (Terry and Alan) , Top Cat (Gordon Wayne and Gary) and Black Hawk (Mike and Ross) who 'adopted' us and allowed us to 'run' with them. As has been alluded to elsewhere they are some of the most resourceful and capable ribsters you will come across.
Hopefully I can keep in touch with some and who knows maybe 'cruise' again with some.
Hugo - sincere thanks.

Adam. MASH II

[Boatnomad]

Originally Posted by Gentiana

pan pan now lifted, lifeboat escorts (those who took cover in Galway) into Fenit

Fenit Lifeboat Station

[Daibheid]

Anyone have an ETA and ETD for the boats in Crosshaven, Cork?
It sounds from Mike's update the schedule may be a day behind at this point. A mere hiccup given the weather lately but at least the forecast looks like it'll from astern across the South Coast. Heroic stuff!