Blue Mermaid Trip - 2024

Published 15:44 on 2 Nov 2024

The 2024 Blue Mermaid trip was funded by a generous grant from Norfolk Boat with additional funding from Alpkit, The Clay Family, Active Thames, The Worshipful Company of Builders, and ASTO. The Blue Mermaid does not have an engine and like any other sailing boat the details of the voyage are determined by the wind, weather and the tides. However this trip had a definite goal, we had an appointment with Tower Bridge and the Lord Mayor of London at 1200 Sunday 22nd September. We were to take the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress through Tower bridge and land them at the Tower Millenium Pier so they could attend the inaugural Thames Day.

We joined at The Blue Mermaid at her home mooring at Heybridge. The first day, we tacked slowly against the tide in light winds out of the shallow water in the upper reaches of the River Blackwater and anchored for lunch near the old pier on Osea Island. Another short afternoon sail to anchor Near Brightlingsea for the evening. The forecast for the week included quite a lot of strong winds from the north and east on Wednesday and Thursday so Richard the skipper chose to make the longest open passage on Tuesday across to the Medway. Tuesday, heading into the Medway, we passed the wreck of the Richard Montgomery anchored in Stangate creek off the Medway. Wednesday was a day off with a trip to a local shop in the 'Jolly boat' for some fresh supplies. Thursday was a sail up to Gillingham where we anchored for lunch by the sea wall and then returned to anchor closer to the entrance of Stangate creek ready for an early start on Friday.

Friday - we headed out of the Medway and headed up river to anchor by Thurrock Yacht club in sight of the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, some of us managed another trip ashore for some fresh fruit to ward off scurvy. Saturday was an exciting day! We weighed anchor about 0930 and turned into the last of the ebb to slowly sail in the light winds up river. We passed under the QEII bridge and into the series of 'Reaches' that make up the outer Thames. In Gallions reach we were met by the tug 'Alfie', skippered by Chris who would take us under tow to our berth at Butlers Wharf. As we approached Tower Bridge we were surrounded by skiffs taking part in the 'Great Rowing Race' We estimated around 200 boats, quite a sight!

We arrived at Tower Bridge and moored at Butler's Warf alongside The Dixie Queen.

Sailing

Sailing a large barge, particularly one without an engine, requires a high degree of collaboration and teamwork. The barge crew were very focused on getting all the crew working as hard as possible to the best of their abilities. Each of our sailors had different abilities and strengths and the barge crew ensured that everyone was actively involved active being the operative word ..!

The trip was hard work physically, testing, but a great experience socially and from the point of view of getting together and working as a team. The learning curve is steep there are miles of rope on a barge and learning which was which took some time for all of us, but the crew were incredibly patient and supportive in helping us to learn .. The skills learnt extended to going out on the bowsprit to set the foretopsail and climbing up the ratlines to loose the topsail at the start of the day and secure it at the end of the sail.

Everyone on board had a chance to steer something which can be quite challenging on a boat of this size. The wheel is quite heavy and turning it rarely gives an immediate response, so steering involves anticipation of where you need to be at an indeterminate time in the future. This is a skill that can take some time to master, but everyone had a go, with varying degrees of success particularly amongst the volunteers! All tasks on board had to be completed even washing the decks.

The trip was a great chance for all on board to develop their abilities. Living in close company on board meant that people demonstrated respect and caring for others and an awareness for everyone else's needs and privacy. The sailing also helped them develop teamwork and coordination skills as well as testing them physically in a positive way.

Last updated 15:44 on 2 November 2024