OYT Trip 04 of 2025 - Day 4

Sunday 13^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 34.42' N Long: 002° 27.18' W
Portland Marina, Dorset.

0800 hrs
Wake, breakfast then 'Happy Hour'.

1000 hrs
Depart from Portland.

Sadly, from time to time on a sail training voyage things don't work out smoothly on a trip and this was one occasion. After a significant amount of consultation the skipper took the decision that two crew members would need to leave Prolific.

It was decided that we would motor to Poole where the crew members could be collected by family and due to tides we needed to arrive before the ebb. A fast motor, more of an 'Italian tune' of the engine was made and we arrived in Poole in double quick time.

1430 hrs
Lat: 50° 42.70' N Long: 001° 59.08' W
Poole

Following the departure of the two crew members the entire crew had some shore leave, an ice cream was enjoyed followed with a walk along the front before returning to Prolific to make supper, play some games and settling down for a film onboard.

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	32.00	4h 30m	7.11	12.00	00h 00m
Trip:	105.85	21h 00m	5.04	12.00	00h 00m
Year:	260.45	50h 50m	5.12	12.00	00h 00m

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Crew: Andrew W (skipper), Brigid, Katie, Josh, Sara, Si, Harry, Sandy and the MDL group.

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Sunrise: 0542 hrs   Meridian Passage: 1159 hrs   Sunset: 1931 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

Forecast:
Not available

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 13/04/2025

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Updated: 10/12/2025

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OYT Trip 04 of 2025 - Day 3

Saturday 12^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 425.63' N Long: 001° 29.65' W
Off Yarmouth, Isle of Wright

0800 hrs
Wake, breakfast then 'Happy Hour'.

1000 hrs
Depart for Portland. Sails hoisted we head out past the Needles across Poole Bay with its minefield of pots in a cracking spring day. Bright skies and warm sunshine out of the breeze.

2000 hrs
Lat: 50° 34.42' N Long: 002° 27.18' W
Fuel Berth, Portland Marina.

Following arrival at the fuel berth the crew went off for a visit to the local shop, more sugar rashions, while we got on with the process of fueling Prolific, a task that usually takes a couple of hours. Following fueling we moved off the berth to allow others to use it. Convently the crew arrived back just after we had completed refueling thus it was time to start supper.

I had not visited Portland Marina for some years, but being with a young crew did not allow us any time to enjoy the facilities.

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	50.00	10h 00m	5.00	12.00	00h 00m
Trip:	73.85	16h 30m	4.48	10.00	00h 00m
Year:	228.45	46h 20m	4.93	12.00	00h 00m

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Crew: Andrew W (skipper), Brigid, Katie, Josh, Sara, Si, Harry, Sandy and the MDL group.

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Sunrise: 0527 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1201 hrs   Sunset: 1849 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

Forecast:
Not available

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 12/04/2025

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Update: 15/12/2025

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OYT Trip 04 of 2025 - Day 2

Friday 11^th April 2025

0000 hrs

Lat: 50° 45.70' N   Long: 001° 17.67' W
Sheppards, Cowes, Isle of Wright

0800 hrs

Wake, breakfast then 'Happy Hour'.

1000 hrs

On a bright, sunny day the crew accompanied by several sea staff venture into Cowes for a spot of 'shopping', a very popular activity, where significant amounts of sweets were purchased along with some souvenirs.

On spotting that Neil Williams Photography shop was open I popped in and thanked the man himself for his amazing photographs and YouTube videos about his trip round the UK. He was more than a tad surprised!

Neil Williams Photography Shop, Cowes Isle of Wight.

We continued to amble up the High Street to the ice cream shop last visited in 2024. I was delighted to see that they had changed brand from Kelly's of Cornwall to an island brand. It is always good to support your local ice cream manufacturer.

1230 hrs

Back onboard Prolific for lunch and prep the boat for an afternoon trip down to Yarmouth along with winch drills and sail hoists.

1630 hrs

With Prolific being helmed by a crew member. Katie, Harry and I went forward to pick up the mooring buoy. Out of the three of us I was the only one who had done this before, Katie was out on the netting and Harry assisted me at the tide was running swiftly. We were all rather surprised when we picked up the buoy first time. On chatting to the crew member later she said this was the first time she had helmed any boat, even more surprising as she did it like a pro.

All times are UTC.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	15.60	5h 00m	3.10	10.00	0
Trip:	23.85	6h 30m	3.70	10.00	0
Year:	129.00	26h 30m	4.86	12.00	0

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Crew: Andrew W (skipper), Brigid, Katie, Josh, Sara, Si, Harry, Sandy and the MDL group.

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Sunrise: 0527 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1201 hrs   Sunset: 1849 hrs

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Weather: Not available

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 11/04/2025

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OYT Trip 04 of 2025 - Day 1

Thursday 10^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 53.66' N Long: 001° 23.34' W
Ocean Village, Southampton, Hampshire

0800 hrs
Wake, breakfast and sea staff change over.

1400 hrs
The new crew are welcomed aboard. A group of youngsters that MDL, one of the OYTs major sponsors, had funded their berths.

1700 hrs
After settling the crew in, welcomes and briefings we made a quick dash under motor to Cowes for the night.

1830 hrs
Alongside at Sheppard's in Cowes. Supper and showers.

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	8.25	1h 30m	5.50	7.00	00h 00m
Trip:	8.25	1h 30m	5.50	7.00	00h 00m
Year:	162.85	31h 20m	5.20	12.00	00h 00m

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Crew: Andrew W (skipper), Brigid, Katie, Josh, Sara, Si, Harry, Sandy and the MDL group.

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Sunrise: 0521 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1201 hrs   Sunset: 1852 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

Forecast:
None available.

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 10/04/2025

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Update: 15/12/2025

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OYT - Change Over Day

Wednesday 9^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 53.66' N Long: 001° 23.34' W
Ocean Village, Southampton, Hampshire

0800 hrs
Wake, breakfast and Prolific given a deep clean.

1100 hrs
Voyage sum-up and crew depart.

1200 hrs
Lunch and prep Prolific for the next crew.

1700 hrs
All Sea Staff head off for a pint.

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	-	-	-	-	-
Trip:	-	-	-	-	-
Year:	154.60	28h 50m	5.18	12.00	00h 00m

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Crew:

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Sunrise: 0527 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1201 hrs   Sunset: 1849 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Wed 9 Apr 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 9 Apr 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 10 Apr 2025.

There are gale warnings in:
Trafalgar.

The general synopsis at 1800:
New high expected Forth 1033 by 1800 Wednesday

Sea Areas:
Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Forecast:
East or northeast 4 to 6, occasionally 3 at first. Slight or moderate. Fair. Good

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 09/04/2025

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Update: 15/12/2025

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OYT Trip 03 of 2025 - Day 4

Tuesday 8^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 42.70' N Long: 001° 59.11' W
Poole, Dorset

0700 hrs
An early start for breakfast and happy hour.

0945 hrs
Slipped the lines and head out into the Poole Bay, renamed 'Pot Hell', eastwards towards the Solent and back to Ocean Village.

1200 hrs
Lat: 50° 39.14' N Long: 001° 47.40' W
Noon Position

1400 hrs
Another afternoon in 'Pot Hell' the lookouts being kept busy as they searched for pots. Back into the Solent via the North Channel.

1600 hrs
The Trust has use of a mooring off Yarmouth that we were to pick up, prepair supper then do some pilotage work before motoring Prolific back to Ocean Village after sunset.

Chris and I were asked to go forward to pick up the mooring, armed with the longest boat hook I've ever used Prolific was skilfully manoeuvred to the mooring where I was lucky to get the pickup buoy on first strike and brought the mooring line inboard.

Getting Ready to Picking up the Mooring Buoy
© OYT South 08/04/2025

1820 hrs
With the sun setting we cast off from the mooring and the crew navigated Prolific back to Ocean Village.

2100 hrs
Happily tucked up on the pontoon in Ocean Village.

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	42.20	08h 30m	4.96	12.00	0h 00m
Trip:	124.60	25h 55m	4.87	12.00	0h 00m
Year:	154.60	28h 50m	5.18	12.00	0h 00m

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Crew: Constantinos (Skipper), Michelle, Katie, Cathy, Sara, Chris L, Sandy and the school group.

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Sunrise: 0531 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1202 hrs   Sunset: 1850 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Tue 8 Apr 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Tue 8 Apr 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 9 Apr 2025.

There are gale warnings in:
Trafalgar.

The general synopsis at 1800:
High Forties 1029 slow-moving with little change

Sea Areas:
Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Forecast:
East or northeast 3 to 5. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth in shelter. Fair. Good

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 08/04/2025

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Update: 15/12/2025

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OYT Trip 03 of 2025 - Day 3

Monday 7^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 45.62' N Long: 001° 17.59' W
Sheppards Marina, Cowes, Isle of Wright

0600 hrs
Awake for an early start, breakfast and away for Poole.

0715 hrs
Slipped the lines and head out to the western Solent on a stunning April morning.

Out past Hurst Castle and into the North Channel.

1200 hrs
Lat: 50° 37.59' N Long: 001° 42.60' W
Noon Position

1400 hrs
Crossing Poole Bay was very much a game of dodge the pots in delightful sunshine.

1615 hrs
Waiting in the main channel into Poole Harbour for the Channel Islands supply ship to pass when a small speedboat zoomed between us and the supply ship! A total twonk who clearly had no idea of the risk he was taking.

As we were reversing into our berth at Poole Quay Boat Haven the same twonk entered our allocated berth as the marina staff, who were waiting to take our lines, looked on in utter astonishment. It was clear that he had not looked behind him and had no idea we were reversing a 105 tonne vessel towards him. The marina staff asked him to move to the next pontoon - he was insistent that he was just 'picking up his wife' who was clearly holding some fish and chips.

As I was on the stern I looked on I could only look and wonder about the lack of basic seamanship demonstrated by the speedboat skipper. Had I been on the helm it would have been five blasts on the horn.

Poole Quay Boat Haven

1730 hrs
The crew ashore for showers, ice cream and stocking up on sugar.

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	42.00	08h 30m	4.94	12.00	0h 00m
Trip:	82.40	17h 05m	4.83	12.00	0h 00m
Year:	112.40	21h 20m	5.72	12.00	0h 00m

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Crew: Constantinos (Skipper), Michelle, Katie, Cathy, Sara, Chris L, Sandy and the school group.

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Sunrise: 0530 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1202 hrs   Sunset: 1848 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Mon 7 Apr 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Mon 7 Apr 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Tue 8 Apr 2025.

The general synopsis at 1800:
High Viking 1030 expected Forties unchanged by 1800 Monday

Sea Areas:
Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Forecast:
East or northeast 3 to 5. Slight or moderate, occasionally smooth later. Fair. Good.

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 07/04/2025

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Update: 15/12/2025

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OYT Trip 03 of 2025 - Day 2

Sunday 6^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 47.68' N Long: 001° 06.52' W
Gun Wharf, Portsmouth, Hampshire

0800 hrs
After a quiet night in the forepeak with Chris, a new trainee mate it was time for breakfast then moving swiftly into 'happy hour' that time of day that crews love best when it is time to tidy up Prolific - a task that always takes longer on the first day as people need to find where things are.

1000 hrs
We slipped our mooring and headed out into the eastern Solent for a day of winch drills, sail hoists and MOB practice

1645 hrs
We tied up at Sheppard's in Cowes, the crew piled off the boat in search of a shop for sweets, biscuits and all things sugary.

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	24.50	06h 20m	3.90	9.00	0h 00m
Trip:	40.40	08h 35m	4.71	9.00	0h 00m
Year:	70.40	12h 50m	5.49	10.40	0h 00m

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Crew: Constantinos (Skipper), Michelle, Katie, Cathy, Sara, Chris L, Sandy and the school group.

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Sunrise: 0532 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1202 hrs   Sunset: 1843 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Sun 6 Apr 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 6 Apr 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Mon 7 Apr 2025.

The general synopsis at 1800:
New high expected on boundary between Forties and Dogger 1029 by 1800 Sunday

Sea Areas:
Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, North Plymouth

Forecast:
Easterly or northeasterly 4 to 6. Moderate or rough at first in Portland and north Plymouth, otherwise slight or moderate. Fair. Good

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 06/04/2025

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Update: 15/12/2025

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OYT Trip 03 of 2025 - Day 1

Saturday 5^th April 2025

0000 hrs
Lat: 50° 53.66' N Long: 001° 23.34' W
Ocean Village, Southampton, Hampshire

I had driven up to Ocean Village on Friday night and arrived in time to meet the Sea Staff leaving Prolific for a meal ashore in the Maritimo Lounge. I quickly stowed my kit in the forepeak and headed off for supper.

0700 hrs
The alarm rang and it was time for breakfast and to get Prolific ready for her new crew. The usual loading with provisions, deck walk and skippers breifing followed by lunch and a final tidy up.

1300 hrs
The crew arrived in one minibus and are welcomed aboard, the round of safety breifings are held, kit issued and people settle into living aboard.

1645 hrs
Unusually, the decision to slip lines and motor to Portsmouth had been taken. It had been decided that winch drills would be done the following morning as the average age of the crew was quite young and darkness would be falling by the time we got to Gun Wharf.

Not having to do winch drills meant that the youngsters could go on deck and could look round and enjoy an hour or so on deck getting the feel of being on a large sailing vessel.

1845 hrs
Lat: 50° 47.68' N Long: 001° 06.52' W
Gun Wharf, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Arrived Gun Wharf and after much adjusting of the boat the skipper was happy with her position and it was time for supper.

Spinnaker Tower from Gun Wharf

All times are UT.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	15.90	02h 15m	7.07	9.00	0h 00m
Trip:	15.90	02h 15m	7.07	9.00	0h 00m
Year:	45.90	06h 30m	7.06	10.40	0h 00m

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Crew: Constantinos (Skipper), Michelle, Katie, Cathy, Sara, Chris L, Sandy and the school group.

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Sunrise: 0535 hrs    Meridian Passage: 1203 hrs   Sunset: 1843 hrs

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The Shipping Forecast

The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Sat 5 Apr 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 5 Apr 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 6 Apr 2025 .

There are gale warnings in:
Viking, North Utsire, Lundy and Irish Sea.

The general synopsis at 1800:
High Norwegian Sea 1037 slow-moving, declining 1033. Low south FitzRoy 1001 losing its identity

Sea Areas:
Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland

Forecast:
Northeast 4 to 6. Moderate, occasionally slight. Fair. Good, occasionally moderate

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 05/04/2025

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Update: 15/12/2025

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