Solent Night Exercise 19^th October 2002

Planning for this event was as usual, a guessing game, tinged with multi inputs from numerous weather forecasts as there were 2 major weather systems moving in and around the UK.  Serious data gathering started with the weather forecast on Country File on the Sunday and each day weather forecasts on the web and tele were consulted.

It was not until Thursday night that the decision to go for the event was made, as a high pressure ridge seemed to be above us over the Saturday.  Some time before, crews had notified their intent to be on the Nightex, so emails and phone calls were made to inform everyone that it was on.  Both Motorboat Monthly and Sportsboat had expressed an interest so it should be a good event. 

My boat had suffered an oil leak which we thought was due to a rocker box gasket failure, so a service of the engines was started some 2 weeks before the event (plenty of time ?????).  On Friday 18^th the engines were being re-assembled, and on test the leak was still there caused by a fracture of a small oil pipe that we had not seen.  So Hawkeye was out of the event. 

Saturday morning and arriving at Mercury Yacht Harbour a number of boats had already been launched.  The weather was bright and Sunny with little or no wind, and the crews were champing at the bit to get out. At midday the decision was made to cast off, the dock office at Mercury were asked to pass on the message to any crews for Pathfinder to meet in the Folly at 15.00hrs.  Various phone calls were made to contact crews and hot seaters to let them know what was happening.  I asked if I could hot seat on Dragonfly. 

Wreckless, Rock Bottom 2 and Dragonfly cast off to have lunch on Osbourne Bay.  Listening out on both Ch77 and the mobile phone, more boats were calling in and making their way to the Folly.  Dragonfly moved off to be at the folly early to set things up, Mr Max and Outlaw were already moving up the Medina. 

As we entered Cowes, Solitiare called up to say that they had a problem so we turned and went out to stand by where we met up with Marmont and Snave.  Solitaire had to be towed in by Sea Start due to and exhaust problem.  

On arrival at the Folly, the area by the fire had been set aside for us, so drinks were obtained charts set out and navigation planning began.  Jake and Neale with Calm Voyager from Motorboat Monthly arrived, and during the Nav planning exercise took some photos.  After checking that all crews understood the course, hazards, fleet disciplines and communication requirements, dinner was served. 

For once we were ahead of time, we actually left the Folly before 18.00hrs so that Jake could take more photos of the fleet and crews preparing to cast off.  As we exited Cowes Jake asked that we move out near the main channel so that he could take some photos of the fleet against a liner that was sailing out from Southampton to show how navigation lights can get lost against a background of lights. 

Back on course to Gurnard, Gurnard Ledge(Rafiki), Salt Mead(Rock Bottom), Hampstead Ledge(Marmont), each leg being taken on by the different crews.  Black Rock (Outlaw) had disappeared so we carried on to pass close by Hurst castle and on to North head Buoy (Dragonfly).  At this point we were now officially (Solas 5) “at Sea”.  So our planning etc. that we did in the Folly, more than satisfied this legal requirement. 

Out to the Fairway Buoy(Wreckless) to turn back and follow the sector lights of Hurst back into the Solent.  At the Fairway Buoy, more photos were taken, the weather was much better that we could have hoped, with full moon, clearing skies, stars and visibility in excess of 10miles, we could see the coastal lights from Christchurch, Bournemouth round to Poole Bay and beyond. 

With Snave leading the fleet, we followed the sector lights of Hurst heading for the Solent.  Passing the Needles lighthouse as it turned from white to red as we moved through its sector lights.  As we passed close in to Hurst and entered the Solent, the lead boat was changed(Mr Max) for the final run in to West Lepe buoy.  At West Lepe, as the fleet had been extremely well disciplined and with a safe passage following the red lateral buoyage back into Southampton Water, the fleet was given it’s head for a fast blast back to the Hamble.  Not sure who go there first, but it was good to see the boats skimming across the water.  Dragonfly stopped at the entrance of the Hamble to check that all boats had arrived, then up to Mercury to moor up and adjourn to the Gaff Rigger for a drink. 

My thanks to Rob (Dragonfly) for allowing me to be aboard, The Folly for setting aside an area for us to work and most of all the crews who made the job of coordination easy.  Let’s hope that the photos and report by Jake is soon out in Motorboat Monthly.   Nothing like promoting what our club is all about. 

See you on the water