NWCC 2013 Yearbook

MOOR AT THE QUAY

With breathtaking views of
Conwy Castle and surrounding
countryside, this 4 star luxury spa
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retreat - a truly unique location.

THE GRILL ROOM ROOM WITH A VIEW

SPA & RELAXATION

WWW.QUAYHOTEL.CO.UK @quayhotelandspa
01492 564100 Quay Hotel & Spa Giveaways
Deganwy Quay, Deganwy, Conwy LL31 9DJ
inner front cover

The North Wales Cruising
Club

1928 to 2013
The 2013 Yearbook

Advertising Coordinator Peter Wrigley
Main Cover Photo by Des Owen

Thanks to the club members who
contributed photographs and interesting

articles about their exploits at sea

NORTH WALES CRUISING CLUB Ltd
Lower High Street, Conwy, LL32 8AL

Tel 01492 593481 www.nwcc.info
Established 1928

Registered in England and Wales No 3186074
3

ALL WALES

10th -12th May 2013

For further information
please contact us on

0845 123 5438

[email protected]

www.allwalesboatshow.co.uk

4

Message from the Acting Commodore

As the old saying goes: some people are born to greatness, others achieve it in their lifetime by
their personal efforts and some unfortunates have the greatness thrust upon them! I suppose
that I must fall into the latter category because it is certainly a great privilege to be asked to act as
your Commodore up until the next Annual General Meeting in October. I have already written
to you all on this subject to let you know the arrangements that have been put in place by your
management committee, to ensure that the club functions effectively until the AGM.
By the time that you receive your yearbooks the winter has thankfully disappeared astern of us,
at least temporarily, and our Sailing Programme will be up and running.
Steve Gorst (Myfanwy) continues to serve as our Sailing Captain and is ably assisted by Llewellyn
Williams (Night Song) and Mike Allen (Viva) to devise an interesting and varied programme of
events for the summer, which will include whenever practical social/fun activities onshore. Steve
and his team put an immense amount of time and effort into running the programme and it is to
their great credit that so many members’ boats participate regularly. For those of you who have
joined our ranks recently, the sailing programme is a great way of both making new friends and
as assistance to learning all the navigational quirks of our area by sailing in company with those
who know the waters well.
Please do join in with your boat and have some fun.
On the social side of club activity we are doing our utmost to extend the Social Programme to
provide for events during the summer as well as the winter months. The first of these will be
the Waterloo Night dinner to be held on Saturday 15 June in the club. In addition to this we
are intending to initiate activities of a less formal type as often as we can on Saturday evenings.
These will not be events that you have to book for, but rather a reason for going to the club if you
are in port and looking for something to do. The first such event we are planning will hopefully
be a “flight simulator” evening when those of you who fancy yourself as an air ace will be able
to compete against other yachtsmen of similar inclination. Finally on the social side, we have
booked our old friend “Shep Woolley” to perform at the club on Saturday 10 August.
Now that will be fun!
From the club business perspective, we now have in post our new Steward Elaine who is doing
a great job, but the Club has suffered in the recent past by both a declining membership and a
reducing bar trade. Both of these are of concern to the management committee who are actively
considering new strategies to reverse these trends. As members you can obviously all help the
club by telling any non-members who you know about the benefits we enjoy, and by encouraging
them to join us. You are also very welcome to drink more in the bar whenever the opportunity
arises! In particular Des Owen’s Music Nights on the first Wednesday of every month are not to
be missed, and the quiz night every Thursday is great fun. The bar is always busy and welcoming
on Friday & Saturday evenings, and Saturday afternoons which is without doubt the best time to
be there to hear “tales of the sea”.
Finally before closing, I would wish to extend my sincere thanks to the whole management com-
mittee for all their hard work and support, to John Alder for his work in editing this yearbook
and to all of you for being members of our club. You are its most important element.
May you never sail to windward and always be on the starboard tack.

5 Tony Mead, Acting Commodore

21st – 28th July

Last year the Conwy River Festival had its most successful year
on the water. Over 50 boats took part in the various events.

Planning is well under way for this year’s event so keep an eye

on www.conwyriverfestival.org to keep up to date.

The New LA-LA Rally 20th- 23rd July
Handicap Series Races – July 24th, 25th and 26th
Handicap Races Sponsored by Blind Veterans UK – July 27th
Conwy Quay Day and Town Regatta – Saturday July 27th
The Annual Conwy Nobby, Gaffer and Classics Race – Sunday July 28th

Racing and cruising events for sailing boats, motor craft,
day boats, dinghies, nobbies and gaffers.

Whatever kind of sailing boat you have - whether you're a
novice or an expert. There's something for you at the
Conwy River Festival !

6

Contents 5 Club Officers and
7 Committee Members
Commodore’s Message 8
Officers & Committee 9 PRESIDENT
Club Membership 10
Information & Subscriptions 11 Terry Worthington
Club Website 12 VICE-PRESIDENTS
Club Launch 12 J Capper, K Aldridge, P N Wrigley,
Launch Schedule 12 J M Flowers, H Thompson, A J Smith,
Launch Procedures 13 P Flowers, S Gorst
Bar Times 15-16
Social Programme 22-24 Club Officers:
Sailing Programme 26-27 Commodore
Conwy Pilotage 28 Tony Mead
Jim Brown: Memories 29-30 Vice Commodore
Training Programme 31 Harry Thompson
Members Boats 32 Rear Commodore
Reflections onto Conwy Bay 34-37 Martin Bushnell
A Right Royal Do! 38-43 Captain
The Cutty Sark 44-45 Stephen Gorst
Club Summer Cruise 46 Acting Secretary
Flag Etiquette 47 Tony Mead
Signalling Flags 48 Membership Secretary
Beaufort Scale Harry Thompson
Useful Contact Details Hon Treasurer
Gordon Byrom
Acknowledgements Website Manager
Stephen Gorst
The North Wales Cruising Club would like to
thank all those businesses who have placed COMMITTEE MEMBERS
advertisements in this Yearbook; without their Llewelyn Williams
generous support this publication would not Ken Robinson
Peter Wrigley
have been possible. Alan Courtney
Please give them your support and custom — Stephen Gorst

and mention that you have seen their The Social Committee is convened by
advertisement in our Yearbook. the President as and when requested.
The Committee
Club Steward
Elaine Smithson

7

NWCC Membership

The membership categories of our club are as follows:
(a) Full Member
Full Membership of the Club shall be strictly confined to persons owning at least a
fourth share in a seaworthy boat and to Officers of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy
and Pilots. Only Sailing members may vote at General Meetings.
(b) Family Member
Membership in this category shall be restricted to the spouse or partner of a Full
Member, an Overseas Member or an Associate Member.
(c) Cadet Member
Children of Full/Family Member under the age of 21 and in full time education.
(d) Associate (Crew) Member
For people who do not own a share in a boat but crew for other people. To be eligible
for Crew Membership, the owner of the boat on which the applicant crews must be a
Full Member of the Club.
(e) Overseas Member
Overseas membership only applies to persons having their vessels outside UK waters.
They are allowed to purchase and use any NWCC merchandise.
Details of items for sale and Club news will shortly be available on the Club Website .
Overseas members will receive copies of the “Yearbook” when this is published.
(f) Associate (Non-Boating) Member
For those who are not Boat Owners, Family or Crew but wish to use the Club facilities
and join in the shore side social events only. Non-Boating Members are not entitled to
concessionary rates or season tickets on the Club launch .
ELECTION OF MEMBERS
Save the original members of the Club upon incorporation, no person shall be admitted
as a member of the Club unless he has been proposed in accordance with the
regulations and his application for membership is approved by the Committee.
GENERAL
(a) Guests
No member may introduce more than FOUR guests at any one time. No guest may be
introduced for more than SIX days in any one year. Unaccompanied Cadet members
shall not be permitted to introduce guests into the Club without first obtaining
permission from an officer or member of the committee.
(b) Children
Children are welcome in the clubhouse at all times. However, children under 14 years
of age shall not be permitted in the bar lounge after 20:00, when they are requested
to use the Chart Room on the 1st floor.
(c) Dogs
No dogs shall be admitted on the Club Premises unless on a lead, and not at all after
18:00.

Harry Thompson

8

NWCC CLUB SUBSCRIPTION RATES - 2013/14

(New Members First Year Only)

Subsequent years: Full Rates as set by the Committee will apply

2013/14 2013/14 2014

12 months 6 months 3 months

Apr - Mar Oct-Mar Jan-Mar

FULL £ 49.00 £24.50 £12.25

FAMILY £ 25.00 £12.50 £6.25

CADET £ 2.00 £2.00 £2.00

ASSOCIATE £ 30.00 £15.00 £7.50
(CREW)

ASSOCIATE £ 30.00 £15.00 £7.50
(OVERSEAS)

Information about the Club

The North Wales Cruising Club was founded in 1928 for yachtsmen who enjoyed
the pleasures of sailing to the beautiful anchorages and marinas of Anglesey and the
Irish Sea, as opposed to racing, and is one of the most active Clubs in the North Wales
region. Our fleet consists of around 130 vessels, from small to large,and includes both
yachts and motor cruisers. Sailing events are arranged on a regular basis, including
weekend trips to the Menai Straits and around Anglesey, and longer ones which take
advantage of the extensive sailing area to the Isle of Man, Ireland and the west coast of
Scotland.
We welcome visitors to our premises, conveniently located near the town quay, inside
the Conwy Town walls and just behind the “Liverpool Arms” public house. The Club
premises are open to members from 09:00-23:00 (7 days per week for access to showers
etc.) and to visitors during bar opening hours (see below). The code for the front door
is available to members only.
The ground floor has a comfortable lounge bar, gents toilets with shower and also a
washing machine and tumble drier. On the first floor there is the chart room, with tel-
evision and video player, and a pleasant ladies powder room with a shower and power
for hairdryers etc.
Children under 14 years of age are welcome at all times but are requested to use the
chart room after 20:00. Dogs are also welcome before 18:00 but only if on a lead.
Club Burgees can be purchased from the Club during bar hours

9

Website 2013

The website has been relaunched this year as a Wordpress blogging website.

Facebook link

We have now also linked it to the club facebook site where the members can make posts in the
style of the old forum but they can now upload pictures and view our club albums of pictures
and videos. There are some nice videos of the club music nights there that are well worth a visit.

Home page

The home page contains a list of all the launch hours and there is also a page dedicated to the
launch operation on which the Rear Commodore, Martin Bushnell posts the latest news about
the launch. The bar opening hours are also on the website and these are kept up to date on the
instructions of the Secretary.

Latest news

This is a blogging page and is open to articles by anyone. All the articles are categorized and are
searchable by clicking on the category links on the right hand side of the page. If you have any
articles that you would like to include on the website post them to me and I will publish them
here.

The Photo gallery page is linked to our Facebook page so you can view the latest pictures

from our cruises here. If you have any photos you would like to include please email them to me
on the club email address.

Social events, Sailing events and Training events are all on the website
under the Events tag. The next five events are shown on the home page of the website and

once you are logged in you can book onto any event you want to.

Membership forms are downloadable from the Join us page and this year there is a half price

offer for new members so if you’re not a member and have an interest in boats don’t delay, Join
today...

Club Discounts are displayed on the Discounts page

so don’t forget your membership card when you go shop-
ping.
Sailing directions, safety tips and advice on the use of flags
are also featured on the website so if you need any current
information about the club nwcc.info is your best source...
after Colin T..an of course

Steve Gorst

10

Club Launch Operating Schedule

SPRING – SUMMER PROGRAMME TO 5th OCTOBER 2013
MONDAY-THURSDAY 0900–1300 1400–1700
FRIDAY 0900–1800 1830–23:30
SATURDAY 0900–1800 1830–23:30
SUNDAY 0900–1800 1830–23:30* *Bank holidays only
otherwise no service after 1800 on a Sunday
The timetable is also displayed in the club house window and on the notice boards

AUTUMN – WINTER PROGRAMME FROM OCTOBER TO MARCH
WEEKDAYS NO SERVICE
SATURDAYS 09:00–16:00
SUNDAYS 09:00–16:00

EASTER WEEKEND 2014
Maundy Thursday 18:30–23:30
Good Friday 09:00–18:00 18:30–23:30
Easter Saturday 09:00–18:00 18:30–23:30
Easter Sunday 09:00–18:00 18:30–23:30
Easter Monday 09:00–18:00

These times are start and finish times at the Conwy jetty and may be subject to change
due to accessibility because of the tide.

Please support your launch service

A VHF Radio is available in the Clubhouse for calling the Club Launch on
Channel M1 [37A]

Call sign: Cruising Club Launch

11

Calling the Club Launch

Please, please use a radio to call the launch:
VHF Channel M1 [37A]

Call sign: “Cruising Club Launch”
Alternatively call the coxswain on 07544 514426
if he doesn’t answer immediately he is probably busy.
Do not stand on the jetty hoping that the launch will appear. Tourists are often sightseeing from
the jetty and the operator does not want to run the launch needlessly just to identify who is
standing there.
Club Members: Forgot your handheld? – Use the radio in the Club.
Once on board your boat, keep a listening watch on Channel M1 and try as far as possible to
coordinate your trips to and fro with other users in your area.
There is nothing more frustrating for a launch driver than getting back to the jetty from the far
reaches of the river and receiving a call to collect someone in the area you have just come from;
furthermore it is not economical.

Launch Charges 2013

Payments must be made in cash

NWCC MEMBERS and GUESTS - £1.00 per person per one-way trip
(Proof of membership may be requested on the launch)
VISITING BOAT CREWS will be charged at member’s rates
NON - MEMBERS - £1.50 per person per one-way trip

NOTE - The operator is entitled to lunch and rest breaks, so please check and plan your trips
accordingly.
The timetable will also be displayed in the club house window and on the notice boards.

Current Bar Hours Evening

Monday Lunchtime
Tuesday
Wednesday Closed all day
Thursday Closed all day
Friday
Saturday 1200 – 1400 2000 – 2300
Sunday 1200 – 1400 2000 – 2300
1200 – 1400 2000 – 2300
1200 – 1600 2000 – 2300
1200 – 1400
Closed

12

Social Programme

We have a busy social programme every year, from the Laying Up Party in October to
the Fitting Out Party in April. Usually there is an event planned for each month on a
Saturday night during this period. Traditionally events have included a Trafalgar Night
to celebrate the life of Nelson in style, a Bangers ‘n Mash Night at Halloween, a Burns
Night, a Beetle Drive and an Irish Night close to St Patrick’s Day.
These themes are subject to change according to the wishes of the Commodore or ideas
instigated by members. In 2012 the Commodore resurrected the New Year Party, and as
it was a success we hope that again it will become an annual event.
Every Thursday night at 9-30p.m. there is a fun quiz, and on the first Wednesday in the
month Des Owen organises a Live Music Night which attracts local talented musicians
– not to be missed.
At all the Saturday events a meal is provided by the Ladies. If you want to attend these
events please sign up for them as we are limited in the numbers we can cater for, and the
Ladies need to know how much food to prepare. The Ladies always strive to give the best
value for money while working within a tight budget, therefore if you have signed up for
a meal you will be usually expected to pay the full cost.
Signing up for events can be done on either the club noticeboard or the club website,
where they are advertised and details given.
There may be extra social events in the summer months, details not yet known, but
watch either sites for these events, and hope that we get some sunshine!

Social Secretary

13

The Castlebank Hotel

A small, family run hotel, offering a friendly and comfortable environment where guests can
feel at home but also very well looked after.

Castlebank lies next to the castle
walls, set in its own gardens, with
private parking for guests. The
house enjoys panoramic views of
Conwy Castle and Estuary.
Facilities include a comfortable
lounge, bar and restaurant,
Internet and WIFI access.

With 8 ensuite rooms, it is the
ideal base for a short relaxing
break.
The restaurant is open to non resi-
dents by advance booking.
Tailored Dinner Parties by prior arrangement for a minimum of 6 people.

We are happy to discuss and agree special menus for resident weekend parties for
families or groups with something to celebrate
or a small informal wedding reception.

Mount Pleasant, Conwy, LL32 8NY

Proprietors: Jo & Henrique Fino Telephone: 01492 593888

[email protected] www.castlebankhotel.co.uk

THE BOATSHED

Sail repairs, custom-made boat covers,
spray-hoods, dodgers, upholstery and

general repairs

Off Bangor Street 14
Y Felinheli
Gwynedd LL56 4JE
Tel: 01248 679939
email: covers@the boatshed.plus.com
www.theboatshedwales.co.uk

Sailing Programme Dates 2013

4th May – 6th May

HW Conwy 07:10; HW Conwy 21:50

Shakedown Cruise

Round Anglesey Shakedown Cruise
Competitive element to follow

4th May
Conwy to Caernarfon
Assemble Fairway at 11:00 for a two hour pursuit race.
Followed by a leisurely afternoon in the Straits.
Proceed through at Swellie Slack 18:00
Arrive Caernarfon approx 19:00
Meet in the Royal Welsh 21:00

5th May
Caernarfon to Holyhead
Leave Caernarfon 08:00
Slack at Stacks 12:00
Arrive Holyhead approx 14:00
Meal Ashore- fancy an Indian night? Let me know…

6th May
Holyhead to Conwy
Leave Holyhead 14:00
Carmel Slack 15:00
Arrive Conwy about 20:00
Late Launch to be arranged

25th May to 27th May or 2nd June

LW Conwy 06:00

May Cruise

IOM and on….
Spend Friday night aboard and leave 08:00 in the morning for the Isle of Man.
Further details to be discussed.
Overnight enthusiasts could leave Friday evening.

15th-16th June

HW Conwy 16:10

Midsummer Pursuit Race or Cruise for the Non-Racers

Race Start 14:00 in the Bay.
Overnight in Menai Bridge or an alternative if the weather is nice
would be to have a BBQ at Moelfre.
Return Conwy 14:00

15

6th- 7th July

HW Conwy 10:50

Cemaes Bay Weekend

Assemble at Fairway at 11:00 and sail up to Cemaes Bay for an evening BBQ.

13th July

HW Conwy 14:50

Bridgewater Visit - Provisional

Volunteer yachts required to entertain our guests with a cruise around the Bay from 1300 to
1700 which should be time for a trip round Puffin should the weather be suitable.

20th-28th July
River Festival

A week of fun aboard. All details on the Festival Website

29th July – 11th August
Summer Cruise

Building on the success of all the previous Summer Cruises the plan is to sail up the Cumbrian
Coast visiting Marinas and anchorages, then cross over to the Isle of Man and make our way
back to Conwy.
These cruises are always great fun with some variety in that we try visits that we have not done
before. Please come along and join in the fun.

24th 25th August

HW Conwy 13:50

Porth Wen Weekend (Bridgewater Fallback day)

Leave the moorings at 10:15 for a trip up to Porth Wen for a BBQ Return to Conwy on Sunday
morning.

7th-8th September

HW Conwy 12:40

Ladies Helming Race (Bridgewater Fallback day)

Leave the moorings at 10:00 to meet at the Fairway at 11:30. Two hour pursuit race in the Bay
followed by a night at Menai Bridge. Return to Conwy on Sunday

21st September

HW Conwy 12:40

Last Chance Pursuit/Picnic

2 hour pursuit race in the bay or spectate followed by a pot supper in the club with a Nautical
Quiz that will feature topical questions of the season and a test of seamanship.

16

LIFERAFT SERVICING
£60 + VAT (Carriage £20 or collect)
SALES
ISO9650-1 STANDARD
SOLAS B PACKS SELF RIGHTING
From £570
Liferaft Hire from £30

Flares - 4 years in date, Inflatables, all at sensible prices.

NORWEST MARINE Ltd

Unit 43, Wellington Employment Park South,
Dunes Way, Liverpool. L5 9RJ
Tel 0151 207 2860 Fax 0151 207 2861
www.norwestmarine.co.uk

Mobile: 077380 356299 Office: 01253 731099

17

YMDDIRIEDOLAETH HARBWR CAERNARFON
CAERNARFON HARBOUR TRUST

SAFETY PATROL

The Trust operates a safety patrol boat between the months of April and
September. The primary purpose of the patrol boat is to ensure that users of the water-
way are complying with the Byelaws, thereby allowing for safe use of the waterway by
all.
The patrol boat is normally based at Y Felinheli (Port Dinorwic) as this area has the
greatest traffic density and the most potential for conflict between the
different activities that take place.
The patrol boat is not just there to “police” the waterway. It is also out on the water to
offer advice and to assist those who may find themselves in difficulty.

Whilst in operation, the patrol boat maintains a listening watch on
VHF Channel 16

Callsign “Menai Patrol”

WHAT DOES THE TRUST DO?

The Caernarfon Harbour Trust is the Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of
Caernarfon, which encompasses an area from Caernarfon Bay to the Menai Suspen-
sion Bridge. The Trust is also the Local Lighthouse Authority (LLA) for the same area
and additionally for the Swellies. As the LLA it has responsibility for the provision of
53 Aids to Navigation, which include lights, buoys and beacons.
To discharge its statutory duties the Trust has powers to charge Harbour Dues on all
vessels lying within this area. The income raised from Harbour Dues currently only
funds approximately 40% of the cost of providing these Aids to Navigation and manag-
ing safe navigation within the Port.
The Trust receives no outside assistance and the remainder must be subsidised from
other activities of the Trust. The Trust is the Competent Harbour Authority responsible
for the provision of Pilotage services for the whole of the Menai Strait. The Trust also

18

YMDDIRIEDOLAETH HARBWR CAERNARFON
CAERNARFON HARBOUR TRUST

provides and maintains a number of moorings in the River Seiont and at Port Dinor-
wic. Additionally, it also serves as manager for the Victoria Dock Marina, Caernarfon.
As a Harbour Authority the Trust has a duty to take reasonable care that all those who
choose to navigate within the area of jurisdiction may do so without danger to their
lives or property.
BYELAWS
The Menai Strait is home to a variety of waterborne activities. Some of these activi-
ties can be incompatible if left unregulated. To facilitate the safe use of the water the
Trust has therefore established Byelaws. Amongst other things the Byelaws stipulate
that vessels are to navigate with care and with due regard to other vessels. The Byelaws

also define a number of areas where the speed
of vessels is restricted to 5-knots (shown in
black on the plan to the right).
Off Port Dinorwic the 5-knot limit extends
right across the Strait due to the density of
traffic and the presence of moorings,
launching areas, children sailing in dinghies
and also the presence of finger pontoons and
a fuelling pontoon on the outer wall of the
marina.
Copies of the Byelaws are available from the
Harbour Office in Caernarfon:
HARBOUR OFFICE, SLATE QUAY,
CAERNARFON, GWYNEDD, LL55 2PB.

Tel: 01286 672118 Fax: 01286 678729
Email: [email protected]
www.caernarfonharbour.co.uk

19

Harbwr Conwy Harbour

Harbour Master
M. Forbes
Deputy Harbour Master
B.Tuson
Deputy Maritime Officer
A. Hodge
Administration Officer
A. Hughes

Superbly situated in an area of outstanding CYNGOR BWRDEISTREF
natural beauty, Conwy Harbour lies within SIROL
Conwy Bay at the mouth of the River Conwy.
The Harbour is currently providing moor- Conwy
ing and berthing facilities for approximately
1100 yachts, making it one of the largest yacht COUNTY BOROUGH
harbours in Wales. COUNCIL
The provision of moorings and berths is
shared between: the Harbour Authority with
400 mixed deep water and drying swinging
moorings/pontoon berths, Conwy Marina
with 500 deep water berths and Deganwy
Quays Marina with 200 deep water berths.
Conwy provides easy access to the cruising
waters of the Irish Sea and Menai Straits and
is located on both the A55 North Wales Ex-
pressway and the mainline London/Holyhead
Rail Link.

CONTACTS
The Harbour Office,
The Quay, Conwy, LL32 8BB
Tel: 01492 596253 Fax: 01492 585222
Conwy Marina, Conwy Morfa
Conwy, LL32 8EP
Tel 01492 593000 Fax: 01492 572111
Deganwy Quays Marina, Deganwy, LL31 9DJ
Tel: 01492 576888 Fax: 01492 592217

20

21

22

Sailing Directions into Conwy

Charts: Admiralty 5609.14; 5609.15; Imray C61; OS 115.
Conwy Harbour offers good shelter from all directions excepting in strong winds from
North to North-West when there can be some swell in the river.
Conwy Quays Marina is located on the South side of the Harbour near the entrance.
Deganwy Marina is on the North side of the Harbour ½ mile upstream of the
entrance.
Despite rumours to the contrary, it is fairly easy to enter the river:
Approaching Conwy from seaward, the landfall mark is the Fairway Buoy,
53°17.954N 003°55.581W, spherical white with vertical red stripes, L. Fl 10s.
From the Fairway, steer 095°T to the centre of the channel between C1 and C2 then
follow the channel towards the Perch light. The channel buoys are paired except for
C2A C4 and C16.
Note : An additional channel buoy C1A may be added to the system, paired with the
existing C2A.
All channel buoys are fitted with radar reflectors and lights. Pass the Perch, leaving it
30m to starboard and continue past C11 buoy until the bridge is “half-open” before
turning into the harbour and heading towards the Beacons Jetty.
Continue to follow the buoyed channel.
The main channel runs down the starboard side of the river and passes between the
two sections of the pontoon, as far as the town quay.
Please note the following:
Until familiar with the channel, access is recommended only in daylight and between
HW-3 and HW+2.
If Conwy Sands are covered, there is enough water in the channel for boats drawing 1.8
m (6 ft ) to enter.
Beware the strong tidal stream in
the narrows at Deganwy.
Within the Harbour beware of
unlit mooring buoys which may
be semi-submerged in the tide.

Tony Mead

23

Conwy Harbour Approach Channel Chart Diagram, Buoy Positions
(UPDATED 20/10/10)

BUOY TYPE COLOUR LIGHT POSITION
NAME CHARACTER
NUMBER

FAIRWAY SPHERICAL RED/ L FL(W) 10 SEC 53-17-948N 003-55-584W

WHITE

C2 PORT HAND RED FL R 10 SEC 53-17-940N 003-54-520W

C1 STBD HAND GREEN FLG 10 SEC 53-17-835N 003-54-580W

C2A PORT HAND RED FL(2) R10 SEC 53-17-682N 003-53-491W

C4 PORT HAND RED FL(4) R 20 SEC 53-17-704N 003-52-975W

C3 STBD HAND GREEN FL(6) G 15 SEC 53-17-725N 003-52-240W

C6 PORT HAND RED FL(6) R 15 SEC 53-17-780N 003-52-272W

C8 PORT HAND RED L.FL R 8 SEC 53-17-940N 003-52-200W

C5 STBD HAND GREEN L.FL G 8 SEC 53-17-950N 003-52-110W

C10 PORT HAND RED FL(3) R 15 SEC 53-18-085N 003-51-780W

C7 STBD HAND RED FL(3) G15 SEC 53-18-062N 003-51-756W

C9 STBD HAND GREEN FL(5) G 20 SEC 53-18-066N 003-51-335W

C12 PORT HAND RED FL(5) R 20 SEC 53-18-090N 003-51-265W

C11 STBD HAND GREEN Q.G 1 SEC 53-18-064N 003-50-760W

C14 PORT HAND RED L.FL R 15 SEC 53-18-090N 003-50-685W

C16 PORT HAND RED FLR 6 SEC 53-17-875N 003-50-481W

OTHER BEACON JETTY JETTY UNLIT 53-17-655N 003-50-359W
MARKS

PERCH STEEL TOWER L.FL G 15 SEC 53-18-058N 003-50-837W
LIGHT

PEN STBD HAND YELLOW FL Y 5 SEC 53-17-460N 003-54-946W
OUTFALL

CAUTION - BUOY POSITIONS
SHOULD NOT (REPEAT) NOT BE USED AS WAYPOINTS:

TO DO SO PLACES YOU

AT RISK OF COLLIDING WITH THE BUOY IN POOR VISIBILITY

see

http://www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=5342&doc=20669
for latest positions.
Revised Conwy Approach Channel Diagrams are available
free of charge at the Harbour Office, Conwy

24

Interested in Boats?

If you like boats and would like to get on the
water, consider joining the

North Wales Cruising Club

in
Conwy for cruising in company,
crewing opportunities and great

social events

Membership starts from £25 a year

For information visit www.nwcc.info
and for a membership form or a chat
email: [email protected]
25

Jim Brown

Jim was one of the oldest and longest serving mem-
bers of the NWCC who sadly we lost last year.
He was well know in his later years for his notori-
ous mishaps; mainly falling over whilst not under
the influence of alcohol. He was firstly and fore-
most a sailor in the traditional sense. His father was
a ship’s captain and so it was definitely in his blood.
His early sailing years involved him and his brother
pottering on the Mersey and Dee. Their first proper
boat was an indestructible old lifeboat which they
somehow managed to rig with a homemade mast
and some form of sail. This gave them the pleasure
and inspiration to go on to enjoy sailing for the rest
of their lives.
One tale Jim loved reminiscing was the summer he
and his brother set out to sail up to Chester. This was to be no mean feat and they set out not know-
ing if it was indeed possible in such a large
boat. This summed up the spirit of adventure that Jim could subsequently pass on to friends and
colleagues. Needless to say they made it all the way there and eventually all the way back, although
it was the getting back which was the most difficult. I have no doubt it has not been done since.
Jim will fondly be remembered for his time with the club and his boat “Wren”. This was a Westerly
Pageant moored on the long pontoon. It was wintered on the river Alt, a tributary of the Mersey
and spent the season in Conwy where it could often be seen sailing single handed in our home
waters.
His favourite haunt was Red Wharf Bay and he was also a member of the club there, which allowed
him the use of one of the moorings. This was one of the first things Jim taught me when he took me
under his wing as a novice in these waters. How to get in and out of Red Wharf Bay without being
neaped or have your keels ripped off during the drying out process. His sailing technique almost
always involved sailing in neap conditions to lessen the stress of sailing against spring tides. This is
a fine idea as long as you take the tide heights into account when entering the channel into the Bay.
We soon learnt (the hard way) what the minimum tide height was so safely exit Red Wharf. Jim
liked nothing better than working his way through shallows. I guess this stayed with him from his
very early experiences.
Jim and I spend a great deal of time in his later years on board my boat “Criselda”. It was a little
more comfortable than his and his first words to me on the pontoon, when I first took charge of
my new boat was “you’ve just bought the boat I’ve always had my eye on!” I guess that was his
way of inviting himself on board. It was a very important turning point in my life and lead to a
great friendship and many crazy adventures. Part of the adventure with Jim was to keep a close eye
on him at all times as he did have an amazing propensity to fall over, given half a chance. For some

reason, never quite worked out, this mostly ha2pp6ened whilst safely moored, or on shore, but al-

most never while at sea. No matter what the sea conditions, he always seemed to stay upright. Even
down below; which was a great benefit to me, as I can only spend a certain amount of time reading
charts before I get the urge to see the horizon again. Jim was quite happy spending half the passage
down there, plotting our position. Anyway, I figured out if I could occasionally catch him before
he hit the ground, the benefits would out weight the down side. This was exactly what happened.
Once he was sure I had mastered Red Wharf we set off further afield. Adventures to the Isle of
Man, North Ireland and Southern Ireland became a favourite on the chart table. Many stories exist
on the passages to these locations such as how did we almost hit the lighthouse out from Dublin
Bay and how we managed to be doing 10 knots without sails and only on tick over.
One favourite tale, which sums Jim up very nicely, involves his end of season trip back to the Alt
with “Wren”. He asked if I was available on a certain day, and of course I made sure I was. On the
fateful morning the conditions were a bit “blustery”. They were westerly’s of a reasonable nature,
but very difficult to determine in the safety of Conwy river. Jim’s attitude never changed and I got
the normal attitude of “we’ll go out and see”. His reasoning was that once out the channel it would
be down wind all the way. Sounds fine to me. We told a few of the guys on the pontoon of our
intentions and they all fell about laughing, hinting that they knew something we didn’t. We lashed
the inflatable dinghy to the stern and set off. No problem until we turned at the perch. Straight into
the teeth of a considerable blow. I eased the throttle forward and waited for the desired effect. Jim
then piped up “I think you need to give her a bit more”. “She’s flat out captain” I responded, try-
ing not to sound too much like that
guy on Star Trek. Jim’s inimitable
words echoed round the cockpit
“I knew I should have fitted the

bigger engine at the last fit out”.
We appeared to be really strug-
gling and we definitely were. In fact
looking to the side we appeared to
be going backwards. It was at this
point that defeat became a distinct
possibility if not a certainty. All we
could do was turn and head back,
so I looked over my shoulder to
see two remarkable things. Firstly
the dinghy was 6 feet in the air pre-
tending to be a low flying aircraft and secondly the launch had followed us out with a full comple-
ment of sightseers to enjoy the spectacle they all had anticipated.

And so they proved to be quite right, although that is what sailing is all about.
Stuart Mackenzie, “Criselda”

27

The Training Programme

The Cruising Club is an RYA Training Centre and we offer the following
courses. All dates, prices and booking forms available on the club website
www.nwcc.info/shorecourses.asp

RYA DAYSKIPPER - THEORY
The course is designed to cover all the theory needed
to navigate a yacht safely in less demanding situations. It is an ideal starting
point for crew members, wives and partners who do not normally sail or navigate. The course is
both interesting and enjoyable.

RYA COASTAL SKIPPER and YACHTMASTER - OFFSHORE
The course is a more advanced study of navigation and meteorology
designed to cope with the more complex elements of making offshore
passages and piloting a yacht safely using the weather to best advantage.
The course is interesting, enjoyable and achievable. Students should either
have already completed the RYA Dayskipper theory course or have good
prior yachting experience. A sound knowledge is required of the International Regulations For
The Prevention Of Collision At Sea and VHF operating procedures.
RYA DIESEL ENGINE
The course is essential for yacht owners who do not know what makes their
engine tick. It looks at how it works, fuel injectors and filters, water pumps and
trouble shooting when the engine will not work. Practical “hands on” an engine
is part of the training.
RYA VHF SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE
The course covers all aspects of operating VHF Radios effectively including the
Global Maritime Distress Safety System and Digital Selective Calling. Successful
completion of the course results in the issue of a VHF operators licence.
RYA FIRST AID CERTIFICATE
The course provides the basic information needed to deal with emergencies
in a watersports environment. Sessions include dealing with personal safety,
resuscitation, bleeding, broken bones and casualty management. Some practical
scenarios will be covered.

RYA RADAR
The course covers all aspects of tuning and operating modern yacht
radar systems particular attention is paid to the interpretation of radar
contact information.

Tony Mead

28

Members Boats Boat Names Surname

Boat Names Surname Lazy C Colin & Cyn Young
Leanda Kevin Rivett
Aloe Vera Terry & Vera McMenamin Lindos Bernie Darwin
Lobo De Mar Ray & Marina White
Amethyst Tony Brooks Lucky Luke Tony & Walker
Maureen
Ashanti Paul & Gareth Henshall Madresfield Pete Williams
Mahalo of Austin & Mary Goudge
Aureol Tony Smith Conwy
Mañana
Barnacle Boy Colin & Debra Davies Manx Moll
Marieleen
BChewsy Bob Chew Morgan le Fay

Calva Rod. Gilmore Morning Mist
MV Verity
Caorann Robert Atack John Hyde
Myfanwy Peter & Hilary Wrigley
Carousel of Mike, Annie & Harrison Night Song Tim Major
Hamble Lizzie Nutcracker John & Alder
Maureen
Cloud 5 Harry & Thompson Odyssey of Ken & Mary Robinson
Carrie Conwy Graham & Andrews
Phaon Helen
Comrades Bob Angell Pisces Steve Gorst
Promises Llew Williams
Crinan John & Pam Flowers Promises Graham & Frankland
Red Dragon. Dany
Criselda Stuart Mackenzie. Restawhile Des & Shirley Owen
Rosie
Emma Roger & Joyce Clark Ruby
Samara
Esta Colin & Beryl Jones Sarita
Seclusion
Evening Star Colin & Linda Lee Second
Chance
Fab III John Brockley Seiriol

Free Ken & Beryl Dobson Semreh

Goldcrest Steve & Wade 29 John & Louise Warren
Yvonne Brian Fisher
John & Joy Nicol
Good Greef Kit Barton Phil & John Wilkes
Rob. Bolam.
Good Mood 4 Colin & Pat Boswell- Terry & Dot Worthington
Williams Alan Courtney
Tony & Jean Mead
Gwennol Gwyn & Pat Jones Barrie & Sue Wilson
Hugh Davis
Hazel Anne Frank & Geke Cook John & Chris O’Donnell
Martin & Jean Jones
Helgi Wen Dave & Sylvia Howard

High Spirits Tony, Cindy& Wilkes
Amber

Jameelah Ian Freer

Jammalin Gareth & Bowen
Vicky

Janderander James Williams

Jasala Glyn Fairbrother Vernon & Turnbull
Lynn Bushnell
Joie de Vivre Howard Browes Martin

Kaliburn John Best

Members Boats Electronic Equipment

Boat Names Surname Repair & Installation
Marine & Commercial
Shannon Pride John Dutton

Silvery Sea Bob Ackroyd

Sirius Roger & Anne Hobson incsotmrummuenanintcadatitoionnrsepair bteasttteienrslyegycsmttraeaicnmnadaslgreempaeinrt
antenna
Skybird Bryan & Sue Hughes

Staygold Stewart Ing

Storm Petrel Anderton

Synergy David & Julie Hands

Synergy Roberts

Tarka Oliver & O’Rourke on board security electrical safety check
Aileen systems

Timeout Ron Williams

Trewent Richard Fleming galvaannpdircoccateothcr0rtoiood7snicio7n 7 bespdoekseigenlectronic

Trout Tony & Pat Banks 825303

Tucan Colin & Val Moss

Una Vida Brian & Farmer 1
Solamente Maureen
[email protected]
Viva Mike & Caz Allen

Wakiva III Tony Pierce

White Water Mike & Carol Gell

Ziki Niel & Elaine Johnson

30

Reflections onto Conwy Bay

The summer of 2012 was not that memorable in terms of long periods of stable weather although it
had been nice earlier on when we could not get to the boat! The outcome was quite a lot of sailing
locally in the late summer and autumn with Morgan le Fay being laid up for
the winter quite late. Fortunately the weather was wet in the autumn rather
than cold and so the sailing was not too arduous, if a little gloomy at times.
I was able to spend quite a few days under sail floating on gentle airs up and
down between the Orme, Puffin Island and C2 taking in all the scenery and
reflecting in my solitude on all the activity that had gone on in these local waters for thousands
of years. The quarries and mines on the Orme are quite visible from the bay as indeed is the “Axe
Factory” quarry at Craiglwyd above Penmaenmawr village. The quarrymen have demolished the
prehistoric settlement Braich y Dinas along with the top of Penmaenmawr but one can still imag-
ine it being there.
A visit recently to the Bronze Age Copper Mines on the Great Orme
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=6389
was a really thoughtful experience and we were able to pick up some very interesting books on the
pre-history of this part of North Wales including the mines at Parys Mountain on Anglesey;
http://www.parysmountain.co.uk/
the archaeology of Braich y Dinas http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/56668/details/BRA-
ICH-Y-DINAS+HILLFORT,++PENMAENMAWR/
and the Axe Factory. http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=8340
The standing stones on the ridge summit are testament to even earlier activity and un-
derline that our ancestors from thousands of years ago were studying the movement of the planets
and stars and making best use of nature and the world about them. The many
programmes of Timewatch; History of Ancient Britain and the like that are
currently being broadcast on TV Freeview channels, often are dedicated to
the amazing structures our ancestors built, the settlements, circles, henges
and barrows that demonstrate their firm understanding of the movements of
the sun and planets at the very least. http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/
tourist-attractions/Historic_Sites_and_Archaeological_Sites/Wales12021.
htm

Even in those late-stone age, early-bronze age times, international sea trade was well developed
and there are many indications that trade with Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia and the Mediterra-
nean was in full swing from Wales and Isle of Man, in rowing-sailing boats,
http://www.salimbeti.com/micenei/ships.htm
the original motor-sailers! http://nabataea.net/sailing.html
We can even imagine what the sailors might look like from the amazing discovery of Otzi the Ice-
man: modern sailors in northern waters dress like mountaineers don’t they?!
http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/archaeology/otzi_the_iceman.html
Well, after lots of reflection about our ancient ancestors and their lives I put together a
story about the people I shared some dream time with recently. My only regret about what hap-
pened is that I shall never be able to go back to see how they are getting on.

You will find the story on the club website at nwcc.info/docs/the_dream_of_ler_ban.pdf
download it onto your electronic book or whatever if you wish.
Morgan le Fay, Maureen and I hope that you enjoy reading it......

31

A Right Royal Do!

The weekend of the 2nd and 3rd May 2012 was one of British national celebration. The Queen’s

diamond Jubilee Celebration! The fact that we now keep our boat in Turkey was certainly not
going to spoil our chance of a party and a celebration of our Queen’s reign!
We were moored to a wooden jetty at the Iskele Restaurant, in the bay of Keci Buku, Turkey.
There were several other boats on the jetty Two Welsh, one Irish, two English and a Scot. With
the United Kingdom fully represented it was time to party! We arranged a table in the Taverna,
suitably decorated with the union flags and boats dressed overall with bunting. The locals
seemed amused by it all, so we told them it was our Queen’s Birthday. That seemed to impress
them and they joined in with our festivities. One other boat on the jetty declined our invitation
to join us, it was French! What more can I say?
We ate our fill and drank to excess, proposed The Loyal toast, sang God Save the Queen and Rule
Britannia; I think that was the point when the French Crew left the restaurant!
The weather was fantastic and unlike that being experienced by people in the UK, very fitting for
a Royal Celebration. Maybe the Queen should have taken the Royal Barge to the Aegean?

The Celebration went on late into the night with dancing and more Rule Britannia. Funny thing
was, early the next morning the French had slipped their lines and departed; never even said Bye
Bye!

Brian and Maureen Farmer
S/Y Una Vida Solamente

32

Interested in Boats?

If you like boats and would like to get
on the water, consider joining the

North Wales Cruising Club

in Conwy for cruising in company,
crewing opportunities and great
social events. Membership starts

from £25 a year.
For information visit www.nwcc.info
and for a membership form or a chat

email [email protected]

33

The Cutty Sark
a British Clipper Ship

Built on the Clyde in 1869 for the Jock Willis shipping line, the
Cutty Sark was one of the last tea clippers to be built and one
of the fastest. Coming at the end of a long period of design and
development which halted as sailing ships gave way to steam
propulsion. The ship was sold to the Portuguese company Fer-

reira and Co. in 1895, and
renamed Ferreira. She continued as a cargo ship until pur-
chased by retired sea captain Wilfred Dowman in 1922 and
used as a training ship operating out of Falmouth in Corn-
wall. After Wilfred died she was transferred to the Thames
Nautical Training College at Greenhithe in 1938 where she
became an auxiliary cadet training ship. By 1954 she had
ceased to be useful as a cadet ship and was transferred to a
permanent dry dock at Greenwich in London where she was
opened to the public.
She is one of only three remaining original composite construction (wooden hull on an iron
frame) clippers from the nineteenth century.
The ship was badly damaged by fire on 21st May 2007 while undergoing conservation. The vessel
has now been restored and was reopened to the public on 25th April 2012.

Construction

The Cutty Sark was ordered by John Willis who operated a
shipping company founded by his father. The company had a
fleet of clippers and regularly took part in the tea trade from
China to Britain. Speed was an advantage to a merchant ship
but it also created prestige for the owners.
It is uncertain how the hull shape was chosen but Willis ap-
pointed Hercules Linton to design the ship. Willis considered
that the bow shape of “The Tweed”, an earlier design was
responsible for its notable performance and this seems to have been adopted for the Cutty Sark.
Linton felt that the stern of “The Tweed” was too barrel shaped and gave the Cutty Sark a squarer
stern with less tumblehome. The broader stern increased the buoyancy at the rear of the ship
making it lift more in heavy seas so it was less likely that waves would break over the stern and
over the helmsman at the wheel. The masts of the Cutty sark also followed the design of “The
Tweed” with similar good rake and with the foremast being placed further aft than was usual.

A contract for the Cutty Sark's construction was signed on the
1st February 1869 with the firm of Scott & Linton, which had
only been formed in May 1868. Their shipyard was at Dumbar-
ton on the River Leven on a site previously
occupied by shipbuilders William Denny & Brothers. The con-
tract required the ship to be completed within six months at a
contracted price of £17 per ton and with a maximum weight of
950 ton. This was a very competitive price for an experimen-

tal, state of th3e4art ship for a customer requiring the highest

standards. Payment was made in seven installments as
the ship progressed but with a penalty of £5 for every
day the ship was late. The ship was to be built to Lloyd's
A1 standard and her construction was supervised on
behalf of Willis by Captain George Moodie who would
command her on completion. Construction delays oc-
curred when the Lloyd's inspectors required the ship to
be strengthened.
Work was suspended
when Scott and Linton ran out of money. Rather than
liquidate the company an arrangement was made for
Denny’s to take over the contract and complete the
work and she was finally launched on 22nd November
1869 by Captain Moody's wife. The ship was moved to
Denny's yard to have her masts fitted and then on 20th
December that year towed downriver to Greenock to
have her running rigging installed. By completing the
ship it meant that the company's creditors were owed
even more money than when work had first been halted.
The parts of the ship visible above the waterline were constructed from East India teak
while American rock elm was used for the ships bottom. On either side of the keel a
garboard strake was fitted, then 6 inch planking, reducing to 4.75 inch at 1/5 the depth
of the hold. Teak planking began at the level of the bilge stringer. All the external timbers
were secured by Muntz metal bolts (a brass with a mix
of 60% copper and 40% zinc) to the internal iron frame
and the hull was covered by Muntz sheeting up to the
18 foot depth mark. Muntz metal was patented in 1832
by George Fredrick Muntz, of Birmingham and took
the place of the traditional Copper sheeting previously
used to clad the bottom of boats as it was two thirds the
price. The stem and sternpost were of teak
while the rudder was English Oak. The
keel was replaced in the 1920s with one constructed from pitch pine. The
“main” decking was made of 3.5 inch thick teak while the 'tween deck was 3
inch yellow pine. Her length was 212 foot 5 inch with a draft of 21 feet and
a gross weight of 921 ton. She had a maximum logged speed of 17.5 knots.
Her greatest recorded distance in 24 hours was 363 nautical miles averaging
15 knots.
The name Cutty Sark was taken from the nickname of the witch Nannie Dee,
in Robert Burns' 1791 poem Tam o’ Shanter. The ship's figurehead was originally carved
by Robert Hellyer of Blackwall and shows Nannie Dee
as a stark white carving of a bare-breasted woman with
long black hair holding a grey horse's tail. In the poem
she wore a linen “sark” (the Scottish for a short chemise
or undergarment) that she had been given as a child,
which explains why it was cutty or in other words far
too short. The erotic sight of her dancing in such a
short undergarment caused Tam to cry out "Weel done

35

Cutty-sark". Originally, carvings by Hellyer of the other scantily clad witches followed behind the
figurehead along the bow but these were removed by Willis in deference to 'good taste'.

The motto “Where There's a Will is a Way” was inscribed along the taffrail.

Sail Plan

The original mast specifications and Sail Plan, as laid down by the ships designer, still exist and

Mast heights above deck in metres Yard lengths in metres
Tea rig Sydney
Tea rig Sydney

Fore course 23.8 21

Foretop 18.8 16.5 Lowertopsail 20.7 16.8
Topgallant 29.8 24.3
Royal 39.6 35.4 Uppertopsail 19.5 14.6
Maintop 19.8 16.9
Topgallant 31.9 22.8 Topgallant 14.6 11.5
Royal 36.3
Skysail 44.5 Royal 11.6 9.4
Mizzentop 17 14.8
Topgallant 25.7 22.8 Main course 23.8 21.6
Royal 33.2 31.7
Lowertopsail 20.7 18.5

Uppertopsail 19.5 16.8

Topgallant 14.6 14.2

Royal 11.6 10.4

Skysail 10.4

Mizzen course 18.3 17.4

Lowertopsail 16.5 14.9

Uppertopsail 14.6 13.4

Topgallant 11.9 11

Royal 10.1 8.2

Spanker 15.8 14.1

36

are listed here as "Tea Rig". This arrangement was used during the ship's time on the tea trade
route from China to London, where it was necessary to maximise the area of sail to get the
greatest possible propulsion when the ship might be becalmed in the doldrums. For the route to
Australia it was not necessary to carry such a large area of sail and the masts and yards were re-
duced. The trade winds required great strength in masts, but the wind could best be captured by
relatively small, high sails. A smaller rig also represented a saving in maintenance costs. There’s
lots more about this iconic ship but time and space precludes its inclusion.

Martin Bushnell
“SEMREH”

New proprietors from October 2011 Jason and
Debbie Taylor and their friendly sta welcome old
customers and new to the Mulberry, Restaurant
and Bar.

With Jason and Debbie both having grown up in
Conwy we have excellent local knowledge and take
advantage of the abundance of local producers and
suppliers on our doorstep. A combination of Local
organic pork from Oakwood farm, award winning
local cheeses, fresh local seafood and fantastic range
of exclusive wines not to mention a selection of
Robinson’s award winning real ales. We believe we
have something for everyone.

With a fantastic new menu combining ne local
produce with modern European cooking we o er a
place to relax, enjoy the food and take in the
wonderful views of Conwy marina and the
surrounding Conwy valley.

Our rst oor balcony restaurant has wonderful Opening hours: 10am - 11.30pm 7 days Email: [email protected]
views booking is advisable as window tables are very Booking recommended Tel: 01492 583 350
popular. A 5 minute stroll through the marina village Live entertainment at weekends www.mulberryconwy.com
will take you to the small sandy beach where views of
Deganwy, the Great Orme and Pu n Island can be
seen. With only a 2 minute drive from junction 17 on
the A55 we are easily accessible with ample parking.

QUAY conwy & deganwy 2012 25

37

NWCC Summer Cruise 2012
by Steve Gorst and Llew Williams
Legs 1-6 by Steve Legs 7-9 by Llew
14th – 27th July
The Summer of 2012 has gone down in History as one of the wettest summers we have ever had.
However despite this a group of intrepid sailors from the North Wales Cruising Club completed
a 200 mile trip round Anglesey to Ireland the Isle of Man and back, and had a great time doing
it. Forgive me if the following account sounds like a gastronomic exploration but not a lot of
cooking went on despite having a chef on the cruise.
The plan was to do the Ladies helming race first then sail round to Holyhead picking Howard on
Joie de Vivre (JDV) up on the way. Tony Mead on Ruby would meet us in Holyhead direct from
Conwy and Llew Williams on Nightsong would join us later in the week when he finished work.
Leg 1 Ladies Helming Race Conwy to Felin Heli (Port Dinorwic) 14th July
The first leg was a club sailing event that incorporated a club race for the ladies that wanted to
try out their skill followed by an afternoon at Menai Bridge. The Race itself was fun and was
deservedly won by Yvonne Gregory on Odyssey. Many club boats then returned to Conwy
while Myfanwy, White Water and Semreh continued to Menai Bridge for a spot of lunch, as you
do….
The new waterfront Restaurant was open so we all piled in for some deliciously prepared
modern style food at ‘Dylans’. For Martin and Mike it was going to be their first time through
the Swellies so they were eagerly anticipating the journey. Swellies slack was at 18:50 so we
slipped our moorings in good time and headed on through. The trip through the Swellies was
very relaxing and a good experience for Mike and Martin as we had timed it perfectly. Mike
commented on the lifeboat moored up on the far side and thought it quite unnecessary.
Our next adventure was the lock in at Port Dinorwic Marina. There was a short wait for our calls
to be acknowledged by the harbourmaster as they were dealing with a lock out but eventually
we were tied up snug and safe. Time for a debrief? Off to the pub then and a quick meal in the
Halfway House a short walk up the hill.

Leg 2 Felin Heli to Holyhead 15th July
In order to catch the tide we left Port Dinorwic at 06:30 which meant a really early start to the
day to fit breakfast in. Martin and Mike headed back to Conwy and I turned left to collect
Howard on Joie de Vivre from Caernarfon. After a quick coffee with Howard we set off for
Holyhead. The trip out of the Bay was plugging into the wind all the way but when we turned for
Holyhead it was up with the sails and off with the engine for one of the best sails of the season all
the way into Holyhead.

38

As we arrived in Holyhead early we spent the afternoon preparing the boats and studying the
following days forecasts. The weather forecast wasn’t ideal but Mondays weather appeared to be
the only window. If we didn’t go for it we were in for a long stay in Holyhead and ideal weather
was scarce this year. Tony phoned to tell us that he would not join us in Holyhead because of the
weather but would go straight to Ardglass and meet us there.
That evening we met up with Mark and Lesley Godwin who joined us by car and spent a very
pleasant evening out trying the fare at the White Eagle in Rhoscolyn discussing our coming
adventure and the pros and cons of sailing routes to Ardglass.
Leg 3 Holyhead to Ardglass 17th July

We set the alarms early and woke to wind in the rigging. More so than the forecast I thought.
The wind was a favourable direction though and would give us a good lift to Ireland so after a
bowl of porridge we slipped our moorings and set off. It became apparent that Holyhead has
its own windy weather system because once we were out at sea the wind lessened and we settled
down for a very pleasant crossing. Although we had the wind with us we kept the engines on
to keep the speed up as it was a long crossing. A lesson I soon learnt was that keeping up with
a 32 foot yacht in a 26 foot yacht under power costs you dearly in fuel. Usually I would make a
12 hour trip comfortably on one tank but after 8 hours I found myself refuelling. Refuelling a
26 foot boat in the middle of the Irish Sea with a force 5 blowing was not a pleasant experience.
Note to self, buy a pump!!
As we neared Ireland the visibility deteriorated to a 500 yard radius around the boats and we
were glad of our plotters. We virtually entered Ardglass before we even caught site of it.
By mid afternoon we were tied up in the pretty marina in Ardglass with the local seals keeping
us company and waited for news of Tony. Before setting off we had downloaded a little app for
our phones that tracked the boats and let our friends know where we were. On checking it it
really did have us in Ardglass although Howard appeared to now have 2 boats or was it two i
devices.
18th July
We had a lay day, explored Ardglass, bought more fuel and supplies and took some photos.
LLew and Tony let us know they would join us later in the week as the weather had worsened in
Conwy. We went to the pub…..

39

19th July
Leg 4 Ardglass to Portaferry

After a lovely sail up the coast we got our timing just right and entered the dreaded Strangford
(Strong Current) Lough with the last of the flood and were swept up to Portaferry before the
tide turned. This weekend turned out to be the combined Town festival and Regatta so we were
in for a treat. We spent a few days here waiting for Tony and Llew and fitted in a trip to Belfast
to see the Titanic exhibition as well as joining in the festivities and watching the racing. Well it
would have been rude not to wouldn’t it….. I have put a video of a night in the Fiddlers Green on
the club Facebook site.

40

Leg 5 Portaferry to Down Cruising Club

Still no sign of Tony and LLew but we heard that they had now reached Ardglass. We decided to
take a trip down the lough to visit the Down Cruising club and try out Daft Eddies the Seafood
restaurant on Sketrick Island. Again the plotters came in handy as we weaved our way through
the pladdies till we found the narrow inlet to the lightship.
After a few pints in the club we enjoyed a pleasant meal at daft Eddies which lived up to its
reputation. We also heard from Tony and Llew and they were going to attempt to break out of
Ardglass the following morning so we arranged to meet them at the Quoyle Yacht club.
Leg 6 Down Cruising Club to Quoyle Yacht Club
I nearly killed myself today. As there are no restaurants at the Quoyle I thought I would borrow
the club bike and cycle to the Spar 2.5 miles down the road to get some ingredients for a boys
curry. Well they didn’t tell me most of it was up hill did they. Still it was a quick trip back…..
We were now a bit late leaving and there was very little water left. The Pilot is a bit optimistic
when it says you can get in and out of the narrow entrance at low water or it could have been our
sounders were misreading because of the amount of weed. Once in the open water it took a bit
of jiggling about with the throttle to clear the weed of the folding prop and then we were on our
way.
Our timing turned out to be spot on and we met up with Llew in the channel leading up to the
Quoyle. It was chucking it down. No wonder Ireland is green….
Tony and Jean decided stay in the marina at Portaferry and we had a curry on Howards yacht
washed down with some Australian white. A very pleasant evening was spent playing a dice
game and calculating the tides for the following mornings trip to Peel.
Leg 7 QuoyleYacht Club to Peel

41

The rest of the cruise is Llews account.
Tue 24th July
The day dawned damp and misty and visibility was severely restricted as we navigated the
Quoyle River and out into the Lough.
Sometimes I’m really glad of my chart plotter (on my Ipad) and this was one of those moments.
There were so many twists and turns that a pilotage plan would have taken ages (how lazy
do modern aids make us) taking the last of the ebb through narrows we soon arrived at the
entrance.
I had read about the standing wave but with such low winds I thought that we wouldn’t see it
after seeing Joie de Vivre being tossed about like a cork wondered what it would be like with a
strong on shore wind. Night Song took the 100 yards of rough water in her stride then it was out
into the windless sea for the motor all the way to Peel. Despite the lack of wind there was still
quite a swell but a reasonably pleasant passage was had, arriving in Peel in plenty of time to make
the gate. I even had the company of a basking shark for the last few hundred meters. A team
meal was taken in the Marine Hotel where you certainly get a good feed for your money, whilst
we were eating however the clouds came over and the lovely day had turned to torrential rain
which bounced off the cabin all night.

Wed 25th July
Last nights rain seemed to have cleared the air and the day was bright and sunny. After a few

42

chores we three intrepid skippers stretched our legs with a stroll up Peel Hill and along the
coastal footpath.
Steve regularly pointing at every sail in the distance suggesting it was Ruby coming to join us
(later found to have gone direct to PSM). After watching the fishing boats unload we strolled
through the town to pick up supplies for the evening bbq. There’s nothing quite like a boat bbq in
the evening sunshine washed down by a few cold beers, this is what sailings all about.
Leg 8 Peel to Port St Mary
Thu 26th July
The gate doesn’t open until 3pm so time to climb the mast to fix that anchor light that’s not
worked for 12 months, great views from up there, shame my camera has a flat battery. Kippers
and fuel purchased, fish and chips eaten and its time to leave for PSM. Another fine afternoon as
we made our way down to the Calf Sound where a large crowd were hoping for some action but
15 mins of battering against the strong tide saw us comfortably out the other side and heading
East. The journey passed quickly as I prepared a chilli for our final meal, rubbing my eyes after
cutting up the onions and fresh chillies was definitely a mistake. Howard pays the penalty of
having the largest boat as he ties up alongside the wall and we all raft up alongside. A visit to the
Yacht Club to hear the story of why there was a yacht high on the rocks, apparently it had broken
free from its moorings and had to wait for the next spring high to get off.

Leg 9 Port St Mary to Conwy
Fri 27th July
Finished off the last of the bacon and egg and was ready
for the pre arranged slip at 6am. Farewell to Joie De Vivre
and Howard as he headed west of Anglesey to Caernarfon
leaving Night Song and Myfanwy for the journey back to Conwy. A steady 3 from the N made
for a fantastic sail all the way back. Leaving PSM at HW on a steering course of 150M saw me
swept in a wide arc over 5 miles W of the rhumb line before being deposited back in Conwy
Bay 10 hours later. This was the best days sailing of the week and a great way to end the summer
cruise; by 6pm Night Song and Myfanwy were safely back on the moorings and looking forward
to the next outing.

43

Flags: Usage and Etiquette

This short guide to flags, their usage and etiquette is written as an aid to members, who are
encouraged to do their utmost to conform to the historic traditions associated with the subject; it
will help them to avoid offending anyone by the inappropriate or incorrect use of flags on their
boat.
This guide is not definitive so, should you need further advice, please do contact Tony Mead
direct.

The flags that may be flown by yachts include: the National Maritime Ensign, The Club Burgee,
The Club Flag-Officers Flags, House Flags, Courtesy Flags when abroad and Flags connected to
either signalling or racing.

The Ensign
British Yachts fly the National Maritime Flag (The Red Ensign) as their
Ensign unless their Club is privileged to wear a special Ensign. Our Club
does not currently hold the privilege; we therefore use the Red Ensign.
Ensigns should be flown in a prominent position, normally at a staff on the
stern. They may be flown when under sail by Gaff Rigged Yachts at the

peak of the sail on the after mast, by Yawls and Ketches at the mizzen masthead and by others at
a position two thirds of the way up the leach of the aft sail.

The Ensign should be worn when entering or leaving harbour and must be worn when entering
or leaving a foreign port. It is normally worn in harbour when the crew are onboard but need not
be worn at sea except when meeting another vessel or coming close to the land. Yachts that are
racing do not wear Ensigns.

In harbour, the Ensign should be hoisted at 0800 in Summer and at 0900 between 1 November and
14 February. It should be lowered at 2100 or sunset whichever is the earlier or when the crew go
ashore if before that time. Ensigns should not be left flying overnight in harbour.

The Burgee
The NWCC has its own burgee which all members are encouraged to use on their yachts. It
signifies membership of the Club of which we should all be proud. Yachts should only fly one
Club Burgee at a time irrespective of the number of Clubs for which they hold membership.
Club Burgees should be flown from a staff at the masthead or alternatively, if this is not possible,
from the starboard spreader in home waters and from the port spreader abroad.

The Burgee should be flown at the same times as the Ensign in harbour although in recent years it
has become common practice to leave the Burgee flying at night if the owner is either onboard or
ashore in the vicinity. This practice is acceptable. At sea the burgee is normally flown in sight of
land or other vessels. Members’ Club Burgees should be flown in any yacht chartered by them in
preference to that of the charter company or owner.
Flag-Officers Flags
These flags are flown by day and night while the owner is either onboard or in effective control
of the vessel. Flag-Officers flags normally incorporate the Club Burgee. In this case it is not
necessary to fly a Club Burgee in addition; Past Commodores’ flags conform to these rules.

44

Courtesy Flags
It is customary in foreign ports to fly a miniature version of the National Maritime Ensign as a
courtesy flag at the starboard spreaders. Only one courtesy flag should normally be flown.
Courtesy flags should only be flown above (superior to) any other flags on the same halyard.
Local Flags
Local Flags should not be flown in lieu of courtesy flags but can be flown at the port spreader in
addition to them. Within the British Isles, courtesy flags are not strictly necessary. Scotland,
Northern Ireland, Wales, Isle Of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm may however
be flown at the starboard spreader, out of politeness.
House Flags
The flags of Some owners and organisations have private flags. These may be flown in harbour
at the port spreader. Such flags should only be flown at the same time as Ensigns and Burgees.
Salutes
It is customary for yachts to salute both warships of all nations and flag officers of their own
Club. Salutes are made by dipping the ensign only. Salutes are acknowledged by the other vessel
also dipping her Ensign in response and re-hoisting it. The saluting yacht should then re-hoist her
Ensign.

Tony Mead

45

Signalling Flags

46

The Beaufort Scale

Force KTS DESC AT SEA ON LAND
0 < 1 Calm Sea like a mirror Smoke rises vertically
1 1-3 Light Air Ripples with the appearance of scales Direction of wind shown by
2 4-6 Light are formed, but without foam crests smoke drift but not by wind vanes
3 Small wavelets, still short but more Wind felt on face, leaves rustle,
4 Breeze pronounced. Crests have a glassy ap- ordinary wind vanes moved by
5 7-10 Gentle pearance and do not break Leaves and small twigs in con-
6 Large wavelets. Crests begin to break. stant motion, wind extends light
7 Breeze Foam of glassy appearance. Perhaps flags.
8 11- Moderate scattered white horses Wind raises dust and loose paper,
16 Breeze Small waves, becoming longer, fairly small branches move.
9 17- Fresh frequent white horses Small trees in leaf start to sway,
21 Breeze Moderate waves, taking a more pro- crested wavelets on inland waters.
10 22- Strong nounced form, many white horses are Large branches in motion,
27 Breeze formed. Chance of some spray
11 28- Near Gale Large waves begin to form, the white Whole trees in motion,
33 foam crests are more extensive every-
12 34- Gale where. Probably some spray marked streaks along the direc-
40 Sea heaps up and white foam from tion of the wind
breaking waves begins to be blown in
41- Strong streaks along the direction of the wind Slight structural damage occurs,
47 Gale Moderately high waves of greater chimney pots and slates removed.
length; edges of crests begin to break
48- Storm into spindrift. The foam is blown in Trees uprooted, considerable
55 well structural damage occurs.
High waves. Dense streaks of foam
56- Violent along the direction of the wind. Crests patches of foam lying along the
63 Storm of waves begin to topple, tumble and direction of the wind. Every-
roll over. Spray may affect visibility where, the edges of the waves
64 Hurri- Very high waves with long over are blown into froth. Visibility
cane hanging crests. The resulting foam in affected.
great patches is blown in dense white Widespread damage.
streaks along the direction of the
wind. On the whole, the surface of the
sea takes on a white appearance. The
“tumbling” of the sea becomes heavy
and shock-like. Visibility affected.
Exceptionally high waves (small and
medium sized ships might be lost for
a time behind the waves). The sea is
completely covered with long white

The air is filled with foam and
spray. sea completely white with
driving spray, visibility very seri-
ously affected.

47

Useful Calling Channels & Telephone Numbers

NWCC CLUBHOUSE CHANNEL M1 [37A] 01492 593 481
CLUB LAUNCH CHANNEL M1 [37A]
WEATHER NORTH WEST 01898 500 461
WEATHER IRISH SEA 01989 500 460
EMERGENCY EMERGENCY 999
COASTGUARD HOLYHEAD ENQUIRIES 01407 763 911
COASTGUARD HOLYHEAD 01407 722 321
CUSTOMS & EXCISE CHANNEL 14 01492 596 253
CONWY HARBOUR WORKING CH 12 ;16 01624 833 205
PORT ST MARY [IoM]
HARBOUR OFFICE CHANNEL 80 01286 672 346
CAERNARFON
VICTORIA DOCK CHANNEL 80 01492 593 000
CONWY MARINA CHANNEL 80 01492 576 888
DEGANWY MARINA CHANNEL M1 [37A] 01407 764 242
HOLYHEAD MARINA CHANNEL M1 [37A] 0151 708 5228
LIVERPOOL MARINA CHANNEL 80 01248 671 500
PORT DINORWIC MARINA CHANNEL 80 01758 701 219
PWLLHELI MARINA CHANNEL M1 [37A] 01492 593 481
NORTH WALES
CRUISING CLUB FIRE BRIGADE EMERGENCY 01248 810 023
NW VENTURERS ENQUIRIES [WELSH] [ROI] 01 280 9452
ROYAL IRISH YC ENQUIRIES [ENGLISH] 01286 672 599
ROYAL WELSH YC BANGOR: GWYNEDD 01248 853 671
TRAETH COCH SC BODELWYDDAN: GLAN CLWYD EMERGENCY 999
LLANDUDNO 0845 6071 001
POLICE & AMBULANCE & 23 CASTLE ST CONWY 0845 6071 002
POLICE BODREINALLT CASTLE ST 01248 384 384
POLICE 2 YORK PLACE CONWY 01745 583 275
HOSPITAL DEGANWY 01492 860 066
HOSPITAL 01492 592 424
HOSPITAL THE QUAY, CONWY 01492 593 385
DOCTOR’S SURGERY PORTH PENRHYN 01492 580 099
DOCTOR’S SURGERY DEGANWY QUAY 01492 596 520
DENTAL SURGERY 08706 082 608
DENTAL SURGERY 08457 484 950
BUS TIMETABLE 01248 811 413
TRAIN ENQUIRIES 01492 592 689
ABC MARINE 01248 363 400
CONWY MOORING Co Ltd 01492 564 188
DICKIES OF BANGOR
MAJESTIC MARINE STORE

48

NOTES

inner back cover

‘Boutique’ Town House 4**** Hotel full of charm and atmosphere
in the centre of World Heritage town of Conwy

The hotel has a unique character with antiques and fine paintings nestling amongst
contemporary designs and furniture. Further investment has seen the development of a
superb garden courtyard, complimenting 2 Rosette food and Dawson’s Bar, full of
character and atmosphere, with a great range of local cask and international beers and
wines.

Fresh flowers, attention to detail and friendly efficient service make any visit special,
whether you are dining, or staying in one of the 28 fully equipped en-suite bedrooms
and suites.

Open 7 days a week for food from 7.30am - 9.30pm (10pm Friday & Saturday)

www.castlewales.co.uk Book on line for dining and ‘best price guaranteed’
hotel rooms and seasonal offers

Castle Hotel, High Street, Conwy. LL32 8DB
01492 582800 [email protected]

outer back cover