Operation Chilliwack

Wed, Aug 19th 2020 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Henry Paul used his yacht master skills on an exciting journey

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Henry and two friends had been asked to sail a yacht named Chilliwack from Southampton to its new home on the Holy Loch earlier this month, a trip of 640 nautical miles. The yacht, which was originally designed for deep water sailing between Vancouver and New Zealand, is 27 feet long and sleeps four. The route was Southampton, Brixham, Falmouth, Newlyn, Holyhead, Bangor (NI) and Holy Loch. It proved to be very hard work, with 18-hour days and 50 hours of night sailing and the weather was against them most of the time.

Before the journey could begin, the yacht had to be lifted into the water at high tide by a crane. Many lighthouses were seen on the trip and it was noted that all along the south coast cruise ships were anchored because of Covid-19. Dolphins accompanied the yacht for many days. A night was spent in the port of Newlyn where the crew was made very welcome by the Harbour Master and able to stock up on supplies. After some very bad, stormy days, at last Ailsa Craig was seen and it was full speed ahead to the Holy Loch where the Chilliwack will be moored.

Jimmy McGregor gave the vote of thanks and said what a wonderful adventure it had been.