OYT Trip 47 of 2025 - Day 5

Sunday 5^th October 2025

0000 hrs

Lat: 50° 45.66' N   Long: 001° 17.64' W
Sheppards Yard, Cowes

0500 hrs

A second night of disturbed sleep due to creaking warps, but the alarm had been set early as several boats wanted to do a 'pursuit' in the west Solent. Much to my surprise the crew were up without a complaint and the boat was made ready for sea in the dark.

0530 hrs

Slipped the mooring lines, the second boat of the fleet out of the marina.

0700 hrs

The unofficial start time for the unofficial persuit. Chilly, but a cracking sunrise in the eastern Solent.

I have zero interest in racing pursuits and really could not work out what was going on, but concentrated on getting the crew to tack when needed and nodded at the appropriate time when those who were getting excited needed some agreement.

Had an interesting discussion with Andy the skipper about my lack of excitement. It went along the lines of, 'There is a buoy, oh another buoy, now we are back at the buoy we started at and now we are passing Cowes again. We could have been at Poole by now had we been on passage'. We understood each other's position and it is all part of sailing.

0930 hrs

The pursuit having petered out, we headed back up Southampton Water and Ocean Village.

1200 hrs

Lat: 50° 53.71' N   Long: 001° 23.43' W
Ocean Village, Southampton

Once alongside it was time for breakfast, packing and voyage wrap up. Following lunch the crew departed and new sea staff arrived. An afternoon doing boat and kit checks.

1930 hrs

Time to head off to the laundrette and get some clothes washed. After struggling with the washing machine I finally got it working and much to my surprise now have a tee shirt in delicate pink after being washed with my red socks!

Timefor a quick pint with all the sea staff before heading back to Prolific.

All times are UTC.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	30.20	5h 40m	5.20	9.00	0h 00m
Trip:	89.90	18h 35m	4.83	11.00	0h 00m

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Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy Mitchell, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.

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Sunrise: 0559 hrs   Meridian Passage: 1149 hrs   Sunset: 1757 hrs

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

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Lundy, Irish Sea, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes and Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low north of Fair Isle 955 expected Kattegat 990 by 1800 Sunday. High west of FitzRoy 1031 expected FitzRoy 1028 by same time.

Dover, Wight

Northwest 6 to gale 8, decreasing 4 to 6. Moderate, occasionally rough at first. Showers. Good .

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 06/10/2025

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Updated: 25/11/2025

OYT Trip 47 of 2025 - Day 4

Saturday 4^th October 2025

0000 hrs

Lat: 50° 45.66' N   Long: 001° 17.64' W
Sheppards Yard, Cowes

0800 hrs

A long creaking night! My bunk was right in the bow of the boat, just where all the warps were.

0945 hrs

With all sailing being abandoned a photo scavenger hunt was devised to keep the crews occupied. A couple of hours wandering round Cowes finding things and taking pictures of the challenges we had completed.

1400 hrs

All of the crews gather for a quiz and some activities at a local sailing club.

Outdoors was a stunning, if rather windy, day. While the waves were small there were lots of white horses.

All times are UTC.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	0.00	0h 00m	0.00	00.00	0h 00m
Trip:	59.70	12h 55m	3.30	11.00	0h 00m

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Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy Mitchell, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.

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Sunrise: 0559 hrs   Meridian Passage: 1149 hrs   Sunset: 1757 hrs

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Weather: The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Sat 4 Oct 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 4 Oct 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 5 Oct 2025.

There are warnings of gales in all areas except Trafalgar.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low Hebrides 952 expected just north of Fair Isle 953 by 1800 Saturday.

Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Southwest veering west, 6 to gale 8. Rough or very rough occasionally moderate. Rain then squally showers. Good, occasionally poor

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 04/10/2025

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Updated 27/11/2025

OYT Trip 47 of 2025 - Day 3

Friday 3^rd October 2025

0000 hrs

Lat: 50° 44.37' N   Long: 001° 30.08' W
Yarmouth Marina, Isle of Wight.

0800 hrs

On popping my head out on deck there was thick mist and drizzle! The forecast was talking about an incoming storm, Storm Amy! The second named storm I've been on Prolific.

Due to the visibility it was decided to give the crew some shore time and we wandered round Yarmouth looking like drowned rats, popped into the local shop to stock up on sweets and headed out onto the pier.

0945 hrs

Slipped the lines and departed Yarmouth heading towards Cowes to meet up with other vessels from The Association of Sail Training Organisations as there was a planned 'race' tomorrow. Although with the Met Office forecasting a storm lots of phone calls between skippers and the organisers were happening.

1200 hrs

Lat: 50° 43.25' N   Long: 001° 30.52' W
Noon Position

1410 hrs

Lat: 50° 45.66' N   Long: 001° 17.64' W
Sheppards Yard, Cowes

Alongside and getting Prolific ready for the blow. Doubling up lines to the pontoon, making sure there was nothing loose on deck and that all the sails were all well lashed down.

Unusually, we decided to have fish and chips onboard. Perhaps the best fish and chips I've had in ages! Corries Cabin is on my list of decent chippies.

All times are UTC.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	19.90	4h 15m	4.10	11.00	0h 00m
Trip:	59.70	12h 55m	3.30	11.00	0h 00m

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Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy Mitchell, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.

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Sunrise: 0559 hrs   Meridian Passage: 1149 hrs   Sunset: 1757 hrs

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Weather: The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Fri 3 Oct 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 3 Oct 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 4 Oct 2025.

There are warnings of gales in all areas except Biscay and Trafalgar.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low moving very rapidly northeast expected west of Scotland 954 by 1800 Friday. Low Hebrides 994 expected north Iceland 975 by same time

Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

South or southwest 5 or 6, increasing 6 to gale 8 for a time later. Occasionally rough at first in Plymouth, otherwise slight or moderate becoming rough or very rough later. Rain for a time. Good, occasionally poor.

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 03/10/2025

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OYT Trip 47 of 2025 - Day 2

Thursday 2^nd October 2025

0000 hrs

Lat: 50° 47.68' N   Long: 001° 06.53' W
Gunwharf Quay, Portsmouth.

0910 hrs

Depart Gunwharf Quay. Delighted to report that I was able to have a hot shower.

1200 hrs

Lat: 50° 46.26' N   Long: 001° 17.69' W
Noon Position

A day spent on winch drills and sail hoists.

1600 hrs

Lat: 50° 44.37' N   Long: 001° 30.08' W
Yarmouth Marina, Isle of Wight.

After an interesting reverse into the pontoon we tied up at Yarmouth. First time into Yarmouth and as ever members of Sea Staff bumped into people they knew.

All times are UTC.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	23.80	6h 40m	3.60	8.00	0h 00m
Trip:	39.80	8h 40m	5.80	11.00	0h 00m

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Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy Mitchell, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.

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Sunrise: 0559 hrs   Meridian Passage: 1149 hrs   Sunset: 1757 hrs

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Weather: The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Thu 2 Oct 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 2 Oct 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 3 Oct 2025.

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea and Malin.

The general synopsis at 1800

New low 1000 expected just west of Rockall by 1800 Thursday. New high expected west Trafalgar 1024 by same time

Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth

Variable 3 or less, becoming southwest 4 to 6. Smooth or slight until later in Dover and Wight, otherwise slight or moderate, occasionally rough later in Plymouth. Fair, rain later in Portland and Plymouth. Moderate or good, occasionally poor later in Portland and Plymouth.

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 02/10/2025

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OYT Trip 46 of 2025 - Day 1

Saturday 27^th September 2025

0000 hrs

Lat: 50° 53.71' N   Long: 001° 23.51' W
Ocean Village, Southampton

With mixed feelings I had driven up to Southampton the previous day for three 'back to back' trips that were to be my last trips as Sea Staff with the Ocean Youth Trust. Over the summer I had taken the decision that due to my hearing loss it was time to swallow this particular anchor.

Supper the previous night had been in the Maritimo Lounge, as noisy as ever and difficult to hear anybody.

0800 hrs

The agreed start of our working day, the deck walk was the first task to complete followed stowing the food for the trip, a final clean of Prolific before lunch.

1315 hrs

Welcomed the crew from The Vyne School, a group that I have sailed with before, the name game, heads and galley briefings followed by kitting out in oilies, or as it was described 'potty and explosives training, and fancy dress'.

It is always interesting to sail with people who you have sailed with as crew in previous years and we had one returnee.

1515 hrs

We slipped the moornings, headed out of Ocean Village and into Southampton Water. Winch breifings were conducted and we headed down to the mooring buoy off Yarmouth.

1845 hrs

Lat: 50° 42.63' N   Long: 001° 29.56' W
Off Yarmouth, Isle of Wright

Settled for the night, but with an anchor watch to do between 0100 hrs and 0230 hrs.

All times are UTC.

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Prolific Log

	Distance NM	Underway	Avg SOG knots	Max SOG knots	Night Hours
Day:	17.50	3h 40m	5.60	10.30	0h 00m
Trip:	17.50	3h 40m	5.60	10.30	0h 00m

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Crew: Lauren (Skipper), Cathy, Josh, Jack, Simon, Sandy, Peter and the group

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Sunrise: 0559 hrs   Meridian Passage: 1151 hrs   Sunset: 1757 hrs

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Weather: The shipping forecast issued by the Met Office, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at 00:15 (UTC+1) on Sat 27 Sep 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 27 Sep 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sun 28 Sep 2025.

There are warnings of gales in Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Trafalgar, FitzRoy, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Fair Isle and Faeroes.

The general synopsis at 1800

Low 300 miles west of Trafalgar 998 expected FitzRoy 997 by 1800 Saturday. New lows expected Irish Sea 1010 and Faeroes 1000 by same time

Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight

Northerly or northwesterly 3 to 5, occasionally 6 in northwest, becoming variable 2 to 4 in northeast for a time. Slight or moderate. Showers. Good.South or southeast, 2 to 4, occasionally 5 later. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later in Humber and Wight. Showers later in Wight. Good, occasionally moderate later in Wight

© Met Office Synoptic Chart 27/09/2025

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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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