Medway YC Cruiser Class – St Katherine’s Dock Rally
Over the August Bank Holiday weekend twenty two yachts from MYC CC made their way to St Katherine’s Dock in London which is a beautiful oasis situated just east (downstream) of Tower Bridge.
The early birds departed on Friday with many positioning themselves in Queenborough ready for an early departure on Saturday morning. As is common when the CC visits Queenborough good use was made of the large visitors mooring buoys. Groups dined ashore either taking fish and chips to Queenborough YC or eating in the Flying Dutchman. The hot topic of the night was “How long is it going to take and what time are you leaving?” Other Friday leavers pushed on further taking up moorings on the Thames at Erith YC where they were well looked after and debated the same hot questions.
Saturday dawned and despite Captain Bob having sent out clear instructions detailing which boat was booked into which lock (13:00, 13:45 and 14:30) it seemed that all boats irrespective of size and speed departed Queenborough in quick succession between 06:00 and 07:00. Those on the Thames enjoyed an extra hour in bed whilst those leaving from MYC had a very early start.
The wind was initially ideal, and many hosted sail and enjoyed a sail out of the Medway clearing The Flats at the end of Grain before heading east at Nore Swatch. The fleet followed PLA instructions and stayed on south bank before switching to the starboard side of the channel just past Mucking No 5 lateral mark and listening on various prescribed channels for Thames VTS. One boat suffered battery/engine problems and decided to turn back rather than risk the Thames with an uncertain engine. The wind eased and soon everybody had their iron topsails deployed.
With the tide under us and despite Friday nights many discussions it was soon clear that many of us were going to arrive well ahead of our allotted lock in times, its hard to slow down when there is up to six knots of tide pushing you along.
The first lock was slightly delayed and proved challenging with wash from passing traffic following the yachts into the lock driving them forwards, damage was thankfully minor. Those arriving early for locks two and three picked up buoys or manoeuvred o
utside trying to avoid the heavy Thames traffic. A couple of boats rafted but the choppy conditions made this less than ideal resulting in a masthead clash.
Finally, everyone was locked in and a few boats followed Captain Bob’s berthing plan and ended up in their allocated spaces. Many, including Captain Bob paid little attention to the plan but everybody found a place in the central dock close by the incredibly useful events pontoon. Unsurprisingly an impromptu pontoon party ensued with much chatter, music and laughter into the small hours.
Sunday was a free day with crews off exploring the sites of London, the choice of activities was impressive from cultural visits to churches, cathedrals etc. A popular choice being a walking tour (pub crawl) of the lovely pubs of nearby Wapping where Sir Ian McKellan’s Gandalf staff was much admired in The Grapes. Various group meals were organised followed by a more subdued night on the pontoon but still with much camaraderie and laughter.
Monday saw a few boats depart early but also a couple of arrivals including Paul and Karen onboard Essance who had just completed their anticlockwise, circumnavigation of the UK via the Caledonian Canal – they were very warmly welcomed and much congratulated on their great adventure. A large group headed to Buckingham Palace to explore the state rooms, everyone was impressed, some surprisingly so. Monday evening saw us all gathering for the much heralded official pontoon party. It was a fantastic opportunity to socialise in a very relaxed atmosphere, a great night was had by all including a few who had not come by boat but travelled up specifically for the party.
Tuesday – was departure day for most with a couple of boats staying on a little longer. Due to the high Spring Tide departure times were bought forward an hour with the first lock full getting away shortly after 14:00 hours.
Despite the early departers having to push the tide initially it was not too long before it turned in our favour with speeds into double figures being seen on many boats. Winds were generally from the southwest giving some good sailing with some gusts hitting twenty knots. Catherine our Commodore who had joined on Monday thoroughly enjoyed the sail and the sights mentioning that in a Wayfarer you never get beyond Queenborough.
An electrical fire onboard one boat caused some drama, but they were quickly assisted by other MYC boats before the RNLI arrived to take them on tow to Queenborough. The earliest boat got back to MYC pontoon around 21:20 whilst others opted to overnight at Queenborough, Stangate Creek and Erith before completing the final leg home on Wednesday
It was a fantastic weekend in glorious weather enjoyed by all really demonstrating what a fabulous club and thriving Cruiser Class we have at MYC. Well done and thank you to Bob for organising.
Thanks and credit to those who took the attached photos – feel free to comment, fill in on adventures missed in this missive and share your photos.