Saturday 4th 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 photographic scavenger hunt was arrainged devised for all crews. This lead to an interesting few hours wandering round Cowes finding things and performing tasks with a picture of the challenges. Once back at the boat a team of scorers visited to check the evidence.
The day was stunning sunny, bright with great visibility, if rather windy. In the Solent the sea churned with lots of low waves with white horses.
1400 hrs
All of the crews gather at a local sailing club for an afternoon's entertainment; a sailing related quiz and some construction activities using dry pasta and marshmallows.
All times are UT
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 |
Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy Mitchell, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.
Sunrise: 0559 hrs Meridian Passage: 1149 hrs Sunset: 1757 hrs
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 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 gale warnings in:
All areas except Trafalgar.
The general synopsis at 1800:
Low Hebrides 952 expected just north of Fair Isle 953 by 1800 Saturday.
Sea Areas:
Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth.
Forecast:
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
Updated: 27/11/2025
OYT Trip 47 of 2025 - Day 3
Friday 3rd 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 lack of 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 for supper. Just about every fish and chip shop in the country is 'Award Winning', but Corries Cabin in Cowes is amonst the best fish and chips I've ever had!
All times are UT.
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 |
Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy M, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.
Sunrise: 0559 hrs Meridian Passage: 1149 hrs Sunset: 1757 hrs
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 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 gale warnings 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
Sea Areas:
Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth
Forecast:
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
Updated: 19/12/2025
OYT Trip 47 of 2025 - Day 2
Thursday 2nd October 2025
0000
hrs
Lat: 50° 47.68'
N
Long: 001° 06.53'
W
Gunwharf Quay, Portsmouth.
0910
hrs
Depart Gunwharf Quay on a bright sunny morning. Delighted to report that I was able to have a hot shower at the marina and they have slightly improved in my list of marinas.
1200
hrs
Lat: 50° 46.26'
N
Long: 001° 17.69'
W
Noon Position
The afternoon spent doing winch drills and a sail hoist.
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 UT.
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 |
Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy M, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.
Sunrise: 0559 hrs Meridian Passage: 1149 hrs Sunset: 1757 hrs
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 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 gale warnings 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
Sea Areas:
Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth
Forecast:
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
Updated: 19/12/2025
OYT Trip 47 of 2025 - Day 1
Wednesday 1st October 2025
0000
hrs
Lat: 50° 53.71' N
Long: 001° 23.51'
W
Ocean Village, Southampton
0800
hrs
All the Sea Staff are up and prepairing Prolific for the group due to arrive in the afternoon.
The Sainsbury's van arrives with stores to load, deck walk done, lunch then Staff briefing.
1300 hrs
The group arrive and 'start of voyage things happen', including potty talk (heads), explosives (galley) and fancy dress (waterproofs) followed by lifejackets and the clip on game. I like the change to the game this year where we get everybody out on the bowsprit before we go to sea.
1615
hrs
We slipped the mooring and head out of Southampton water towards Portsmouth under motor.
1815
hrs
Lat: 50° 47.68'
N
Long: 001° 06.53'
W
Gunwharf Quay, Portsmouth.
Hoping for a hot shower this trip.
All times are UT.
Prolific Log
| Distance NM |
Underway | Avg SOG knots |
Max SOG knots |
Night Hours |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day: | 16.00 | 2h 00m | 8.00 | 11.00 | 0h 00m |
| Trip: | 16.00 | 2h 00m | 8.00 | 11.00 | 0h 00m |
Crew: Andy (Skipper), Andrew, Tom, Josh, Lucy M, Iori, Sandy and the group from Bruern Abbey School.
Sunrise: 0559 hrs Meridian Passage: 1150 hrs Sunset: 1757 hrs
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 1 Oct 2025 for the period 01:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 1 Oct 2025 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 2 Oct 2025 .
There are gale warnings in:
Viking, North Utsire, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes and Southeast Iceland.
The general synopsis at 1800:
Low 450 miles southwest of Iceland 983 expected just north of Iceland 980 by 1800 Wednesday. New high expected just west of Trafalgar 1025 by same time
Dover, Wight
Forecast:
Variable 3 or less. Smooth or slight. Fair. Good
© Met Office Synoptic Chart 01/10/2025
OYT Trip 46 of 2025 - Day 4
Tuesday 30th September 2025
0000
hrs
Lat: 50° 53.71'
N
Long: 001° 23.51'
W
Ocean Village, Southampton
0800
hrs
After breakfast and packing the usual very happy hour, an extra good clean of Prolific. Then followed the voyage summary and the handing out of certificates.
1000
hrs
The crew depart and the kettle goes on.
1300 hrs
Following lunch the boat checks are carried out, items mended and kit stowed.
During the afternoon Sea Staff who are leaving the boat pack and say their farewells and joining Sea Staff arrive, say hello and grab a bunk.
1830 hrs
All Sea Staff onboard head out for a meal in a little Greek resturant in Southampton