Delivering Iris

Deleivering Iris O' Faith

Iris O'Faith was purchased through Nelsons Boats lifeboat brokerage in February, from Holyhead, by an East coast owner, new to lifeboats. She was taken over to Northern Ireland for a refit and fresh coat of paint before being delivered to her new owner, an HLOA member in Essex. Poor weather held up the painting and eventually she left the sheltered waters of Strangford Lough in County Down on the long voyage to the river Blackwater in early May. The crew were Quinton as skipper, Tom Thompson, owner of 45 foot Watson "City of BradfordII" and Brian Freeman, a friend who had just completed his RYA Yachtmasters shorebased exam and required some sea time.

The passage south to Newlyn was broken at Dun Laoghaire near Dublin in poor weather with a NE gale warning. Next day the trip was resumed in late afternoon for an overnight to Newlyn a voyage of 27 hours in a following Northerly which reached gale force most of the time. It became very apparent why the crews that had these Barnetts liked them so much. In Newlyn we were well looked after by the Coxn, Neil Brockman and his crew, one of whom drives a fuel lorry, a very useful point. From Newlyn we pressed on to Dartmouth to meet the owner who had travelled down to have a couple of days with us. There, we were very well entertained by Peter Lucas owner of an identical boat "Duke of Cornwall" and much useful information was passed around.

From Dartmouth we made a day trip to Yarmouth, isle of Wight in glorious weather, where yet again we met up with an old friend, Martin Mawhood, owner of "Chizz" the former Buckie 47 foot Watson "Laura Moncur". Martin was able to get us a berth alongside his boat for the night, not an easy task on a Bank Holiday weekend. Next day we made an early start on a long passage to Ramsgate. The owner and his father had to leave us at Eastbourne and we eventually reached Ramsgate at midnight after another fine passage. Very early next day with a reasonable forecast we set off across the Thames Estuary planning to complete the trip.

After a couple of hours it was evident that the forecasters had got it wrong Their forecast of SW3, possibly up to 6 for a time was actually force 8 gusting to force 9. We were running before winds of 50 knots. We had no option but to make for Harwich the only non tidal harbour on that part of the coast. Visibility in the rough seas and continuous spray was poor and picking the way through the sandbanks and buoyed channels called for complete concentration.

The worst part of the trip was when we turned into the Harwich approaches amid a convoy of huge container ships, very rough steep short seas, a 4 knot cross tide and virtually zero visibility, not pleasant.

We moored up in Shotley marina, mid afternoon with continuous comments like "great boat" and "glad we were in a Barnett" . The final passage to the Blackwater was made 2 days later when the wind blew its'self out. Another glorious day to end the trip.

We found on this trip as I have found many times before that lifeboat people and ex lifeboat owners can't do enough to help when a boat visits their home port. Our thanks go to Neil Brockman and his crew at Newlyn, Peter Lucas at Dartmouth, Martin Mawhood at Yarmouth and the Harbour Master at Ramsgate for their hospitality and help. Only 2 marinas, where the staff don't really appreciate old lifeboats, charged any berthing fees. A lesson there for any owners making a passage.

Quinton Nelson

Donaghadee.

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