Preparation

Lots of work required before we venture from our moorings. One of the tasks we had set ourselves was to check the anchor and chain. This required us to lower the anchor then haul it ashore so we could inspect it. This was not easy as the anchor weighs 50 kilos and it was a battle between me joining the anchor in the water or our managing to haul it out!

In the end perseverance prevailed and we managed to get it safely onto the dockside.

We then proceeded to let out the chain and haul that ashore too. We needed to let the chain out right to the "bitter end" where it is attached by a rope, this is so the rope can

an be cut in the event of an emergency thus releasing the chain.

As we got to the last 10 meters or so we found the chain to be rusted into a knot of chain and dust that required tapping with a hammer to free it.

Having safely got the chain ashore we cleaned it prior to painting every 5 meters with a different colour so we could see at a glance how much chain has been paid out. This is necessary as the amount of chain relative to the maximum depth of water is important to ensure the anchor works effectively. The best menomic we found for remembering the colour sequence is "Rub(red) Your(yellow) Balls(blue) With(white) Grease(green)". We found the total length of chain to be 50m so we can comfortably anchor up to a depth of 10mt.

After painting the anchor and chain were slowly and carefully returned to the boat.

The next task we had set ourselves was to install davits to the bathing platform so we can secure the dinghy to the stern of the boat.

The dinghy will be hauled up and secured across the stern of the boat.

Other jobs are mainly housekeeping and these are ongoing as we prepare for a lock out of Sharpness on Monday 8th July heading for Cardiff.

Passage planning in progress.

If you would like to follow our progress this can be done using an AIS tracker such as 

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/232048770

Update 6/7/24

When checking engine discovered all the transmission fluid from the starboard gearbox had discovered a way of leaving the gearbox and draining into the engine bilge. Discovered a failed hydraulic hose.

Thankfully manged to get hold of Pirtek and they sent an engineer our withing the hour. 

Decided it would be prudent to change all four pipes (two on each gearbox). Great service. All done, just shows the importance of checking everything before setting off!!