Some pictures from the April Shakedown Cruise. (click on each photo for a full-screen version, these may take quite a few seconds to load depending on your connection speed so please be patient.....)

Saturday

The Pathfinder Shakedown was a record on at least 2 counts.

1. 19 boats on the water, more than we have ever had before
2. Only 2 minor problems with boats complaining of being asked to do their thing.

Saturday was a fabulous day, bright sunshine and very little wind.  Boats were launched as soon as enough water was available at approx 10.40hrs and I believe that we had launched 9 boats by 12.00hrs.

The briefing was kept to a minimum as we all wanted to get out and give the boats a good airing.  One boat refused to start and was left behind with the hope that it could join us later.  The plan was to go East towards Bembridge round the end of the Isle of Wight and into Whitecliff Bay.  We cut across the Solent and kept fairly close to the North East side of the Island, Rounding No Mans Land Fort on our way to Bembridge Ledge.  On arriving at Whitecliff Bay, we all anchored up, some boats mooring alongside so that they could have a good chat over lunch.  It was warm and sunny and looking at most boats, crews were absorbing its warmth and relaxing.  Suddenly our missing boat was heard on the radio, fault fixed they were looking to join up.

Just in case the rest of the fleet relaxed for too long, we were off due East to the Nabb Tower and to meet up with other boat.  The Nabb is an interesting feat of engineering being part of the fortifications which are known as Palmeston’s follies, forts that were built to stop the French invasion.  Basic construction of the Tower was a concrete Tower surrounded by a steel floatation ring.  It was towed out to it’s position and then the sea cocks on the flotation ring were opened and it settled on the sea bed,  High technology for the time.  Anyway back to boating, the trip out to the Nabb was interesting with large Westerly going rollers making it a bit of a bumpy ride.  As we neared the Nabb we could see the force of the current racing either side of the tower and being the cause of the waves.   There were a few yachts trying to round the tower, the current cutting their ground speed to 1 or 2 knots.  Giving them a wide berth we headed back to Mercury, this was a rollercoaster ride with the waves, as we entered into The Solent the water flattened and the fleet took off.  As they passed through the forts heading home throttles were opened, and there was this flotilla of fast moving craft with plumes of white water rising from their bows as they powered through waves and white water tracks being left behind them, a glorious sight.  We were back at Mercury at around 17.00hrs having had a good first day’s outing.
 

Sunday

Sunday was a different day, some rain during the early morning and possibility of rain later.  The wind was also having it’s say, force 4/5 increasing in the afternoon.  2 activities had been arranged, RNLI SEA check for those that wanted it, followed by a trip to the British Military Powerboat Trust.

09.00 start for the first batch of SEA Check boats, 9 checks being completed by just after 11.00hrs.  Mike Dymond the SEA check co-ordinator for our region was very pleased with the standard of the boats checked.  A feather in our caps for Pathfinder.

11.15 briefing for the trip up Southampton Water to the British Military Power Boat Trust (BMPT) based in the old Husbands Ship Yard in Marchwood.   The wind had increased and was coming from the North East and blowing force 5/6.  Southampton Water was rough, keeping to the Netley side on the way up gave us some protection.

!5 boats rafted up at the old jetty, where we were met by Phil Clabburn.  His wife Bissy, met us by the sheds and gave us a conducted tour or the boats, engines and machinery that are all part of the restoration activities that are taking place.  She also explained that the whole area was to undergo a lot of development turning the area from a derelict shipyard to a modern complex of which the BMPT will be part of.  Richard Parkinson, Chairman of Pathfinder, proposed a vote of thanks to Bissy and the BMPT  It is hoped that we can visit again as both the restoration activities progress and more of their boats are put on the water, and also as the site progresses to provide an insight to the history of the area where fast military patrol boats were developed and also the first Hovercraft.

The boats that we use today can trace their heritage back to the pioneering days of Hubert Scott Paine, owner of the British Power Boats Co Hythe, Leading Aircraftsman Shaw (Lawrence of Arabia), Mitchell who went on the design the Spitfire and of course the crews that proved and improved the design in the most gruelling of environments.

As said at the beginning, at least 2 records were set by this weekend, the number of boats attended and the serviceability of those boats.  This was also enhanced by the number of activities accomplished.  Anchoring in open water, rafting up in less than ideal conditions, efficient launch and recovery of a large number of boats.  All of this is down to good maintenance, working as a team and above all members who know what is required to make sure that time on the water is what life is about.

Colin Harris
Photos courtesy of David Luetchford