Log Entry No 4 - 7 Sept 08. (Discoverer)

FROM THE CAPTAINS CABIN

What can we say; moorings probably do not get more salubrious than our current location. Discoverer is now overlooked by Tower Bridge following our evening motor up the Thames, where we passed the Dome and Canary Wharf all lit up.

The trip across the North Sea to London was an epic. We all knew that the North Sea can be treacherous but most probably didn’t realise just how steep the seas would be. The North Sea is shallow, so when a strong wind blows the waves become very steep and large. We sailed through a Force 9 with winds reaching over 40 knots and several of the crew had to deal with sea sickness. Sail changes had to be completed while the yacht ploughed through the waves and a number of crew members found themselves almost swimming as they worked at the front of the boat and a number of life jackets inflated accidentally; however, when fighting such conditions all crew members working “up top” are secured to the yacht by straps so are protected from going overboard.

The yacht was “close hauled”, which means sailing very close to the wind, all the way and that meant that the boat was healed over so that waves came crashing over the sides and we surfed down some of the bigger waves. After a four hour watch, blokes were ready to climb into their beds and try and get some well earned rest before going back into the maelstrom. The toughest job was probably mother watch because although those guys were able to stay warm and dry for 24 hours while cooking and cleaning for the rest of the crew they were unable to get much fresh air and they tended to suffer more from sea sickness. Nominated chefs prepared food while accompanied by a sick bucket – nice!

During the voyage we passed many oil and gas platforms and it is only when you physically see them that you realise just how many platforms there are. On occasions the horizon was filled with glowing lights that grew more distinct as platforms drew closer. Negotiating the fields was difficult but interesting in such strong conditions.

The crew are glad to be in calmer waters and have the opportunity to relax for a day in London but all are justifiably proud to have crossed the North Sea from Norway to London.

WO2 Matt Jarvis

FROM THE FOREDECK

Discoverer left port on the 3rd of August to cross the North Sea and in to the Thames estuary. We knew that this could be one of the harder parts of our expedition, as “unfriendly” and “merciless” were two words used to describe the Norwegian Basin and the North Sea by the first mate. However, we decided to put the mate’s questionable sense of humour behind us and look forward to some ocean sailing. On the first morning as we were heading out in to the North Sea, it was relatively calm which I found slightly unnerving with the saying “ the calm before the storm”, in the back of my mind. Surely enough, after the first day at sea we were blessed with force 9 winds. This meant lots of sail changes and tacking for whichever watch were on deck at the time.

I particularly enjoyed night watch as we were passing the oil rigs, because as people working on the rigs burn off the waste produce from their days work, you see massive amounts of fire shooting out into the night sky. At one point we could see 9 oil rigs in a row across the horizon, it looked very impressive as they lit up the night sky. During our time on the North Sea, I have learnt that life on a 40 degree angle can turn the smallest task, such as eating a bowl of cereal, into an absolute epic. This way of living at sea, tends to make a lot of the crew very sick, especially on my watch.

Signaler Adam Wood (The Royal Signals)

I’ve really looked forward to writing a blog because it gives me the chance to tell everyone at home what I and my crew mates are going through. We left Stavanger in Norway on the 3rd September not really sure what the North Sea had in store for us. Sure enough you hear rumours and they were in abundance from the skipper and mate. So we were all apprehensive and unsure and it didn’t help when we had to do a sail change the first night because of strong winds! After this weirdly enough I spent most of the passage on the foredeck getting decidedly wet but it was great fun! Being on mother watch during this passage was a real challenge and on at least one occasion food was sent flying across the galley.

The winds managed to get up to an incredible Force 9 (40-47knots) which was really tough working conditions believe me! We finally docked on the 7th September at HMS President in London. It was a relief for everyone when we got in and gave people chance to rest and wash which was badly needed! Reflecting on this trip I can honestly say it has been one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have ever done and even though me and the rest of the lads got tired, hungry and grumpy we stuck together and got through it. We conquered the North Sea!

Sapper Joshua Howell-Williams (Royal Engineers)