Safe Arrival
By admin | July 16, 2008
Just a quick post to let you know a very tired Ian has just contacted me to let us know they have all just arrived safely on board Tamisa in Madeira.
There will be some much needed ZZZZzzzzzzsssss’s to catch up on first and then we will get a fuller update of the last few days. Comms were difficult in the Atlantic so a full update of that part of the trip will be on its way over the next day or two.
I am just off to Sunny France myself to tow a boat over to Brittany so I am hoping the computers on Brittany Ferries don’t give me quite the same sorts of issues on the way over there 
More as I get it - Paul
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
Google alerts for Tamisa
By admin | July 12, 2008
Why not try this…
Set yourself up a Google alert and you will get an email to let you know when this blog has been updated.
http://www.google.com/alerts
Use the keyword -Tamisa for the alert. (It’s cool for other things you want to hear about on a regular basis too)
It works really well and you won’t have to check back here ten times a day only to find its the same as the last post you saw. Equally so the minute I publish that David or Richard have been slacking again you will know straight away in your inbox.
Paul
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
Into Portugese waters
By admin | July 12, 2008
Thursday 13.50
Finally crossed over into Portuguese waters heading for Porto. It doesn’t look very interesting on the chart but I will let you know.
David (Cabin Boy) Taylor was supposed to write this up but it’s all he can do to stay awake after a beer in Porto Sin, so its down to the old boys I’m afraid. I’ve sent him up on the fly bridge in full weather gear to co pilot Richard as it’s his watch.
The was looking very wet a minute ago after raising the Portuguese flag. Our heading is South. Air temp 29 degrees, sea temp 23 degrees or so the instruments tell me. Our position is 41.51.019N x 008 56 646W engine speed is 15.9 knots. Fuel rate is 82.40 litres an hour. Very pleased with economy. This boat is fully laden at present in fact 1200 Kilos more than usual due to additional fuel being carried. Speed over ground is 16.1 knots course over ground is 193 T.
Which is 183 Magnetic wind direction is from the NW @16 knots and tide is running due west, unsure of tidal stream at this time but if you want to look it up I think the nearest large port is Porto approx 32 miles south of us.
Ian
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
Back to La Coruna
By admin | July 12, 2008
Back to La Coruna 5pm
Volvo Engineers arrived to smiles all round and replaced new drive computer to starboard IPS engine, They left around 9pm once sea trial done, all seemed to go well.
La Coruna is another wonderful port to visit, tram rides, archeology, fantastic museums, parks and Wonderful dining. Just walking the city is pleasant, all the locals are very friendly, and are very willing to help when asked to do so.
It was agreed that we would motor 78 nautical miles to Porto Sin mid way between La Coruna and Bayona. Bayona being last stop in Spain. For the engineers to lift tamisa and re-calibrate the IPS legs. Assuming Tamisa ran well from La Coruna we would meet engineers around about 11.am. in time for high water to lift her and have enough time before Low water happened again.
Tamisa did run well and we made it in time, although driving her into the slip for lifting was very tight, The reason for lifting her here was that La Coruna although a large port could not lift her as slip was to narrow They are ok for to lift yachts and boats up to 36 tons but your beam needs to be around 3 -3.5 meters max I must say though if we had been another 500mm wider we would not have fitted.
This port is over whelming in its beauty as you enter the river you realize it’s like being on Lake Garda very calm high mountains stunning scenery and dolphins playing alongside.The river or lake is a natural inlet approx 30-34mtrs min depth all the way into the marina. The leading lights can be well seen on a good day, but not so sure on a moderate swell. As you approach you will see what looks like an island in front of you opposite this is the entrance to the marina.
You will see a shell fish farm to your right just as you steer towards the entrance, sunken boats have been used to create farm. Be aware when entering the marina as no one observes the 3 knot speed limit, there are also numerous fishing boats being rowed by kamikaze oarsmen, who think nothing of rowing across your bow and then gesturing good morning to you. Well I assume that’s what they said…
The marina management were very courteous and hospitable helping us in the lift and showing us all the amenities The club house is excellent and offer evening meals for berthers and club members. Please note that Porto sin does not have any restaurants open until 9.00pm, but there are Tapas bars open during the day. I wish we had more time to explore here as its such a beautiful stop, maybe I shouldn’t mention this place because it really is a sleepy hollow.
Deep water moorings are here, the lowest height during the night was 6.8mtrs and we were situated on an outer pontoon.The cost for Tamisa was 26 Euros including showers and toilets. They also have a laundry room with driers. You do not need detergent as it is automatically fed into machines and is completely bio-degradable. The cost of the washing machine for 30 minute cycle on medium wash was 4.4 Euros and the cost of the tumble drier was 1 euro for 10 minutes and you could dry up to 30 minutes if you are prepared to continue paying 1 euro every 10 minutes. Nice to smell fresh clothes again, although we have been washing in cold water in a bucket using Bold 2 in 1 sachets which I must say work really well. But nothing beats the washing machine. On a note about 2 in 1 they start to react as soon as they come into contact with water, therefore do not put into a jacket you have been wearing at sea as the damp starts dissolving the liquid and although does not make a mess of your pocket it certainly makes a mess on your hand when you try to take it out. This could be the next super glue.
Sadly we had to say a fond farewell to our engineers who had been with us on and off since last Thursday, friends have been made and hand shakes done we were off to a wave and a cheer. I know I have said this before but we cannot thank the engineers enough nothing was to much trouble, constant phone calls to see if we were safe when vessel underway with limited engine speed.
The Volvo office for Spain and the call centre guys have been absolutely fantastic. We had calls from Madrid office as well as the local engineers from Gijon to Porto Sin. If only some of our local engineers would take the time to do this wouldn’t the Volvo engineer’s reputation in England improve. Why do the Europeans take so much time to get it right? It’s because its there reputation and they are very proud to be working with Volvo.
So much pride in their work. It’s great too see. They will send a full brief on the works done so that I can update you all on all the parts changed and why.
We have left Porto Sin in our stern sights and are heading for Bayona for re fuelling, we could have re fuelled at Porto Sin but it was against a very rough wall which didn’t look exciting and the boys wanted to visit Bayona and have a coffee. Seemed like a good idea.
Tamisa ran well to Bayona approx 51 nautical miles including avoiding constant fishing fleets and small fishing boats. Be aware if you do the legs from La Coruna to Bayona at night or early morning i.e. leaving around 5.30 am from La Coruna you must have adequate look outs. Even with radar gained to pick up fishing nets being trawled etc it’s very easy to miss one or two. On one occasion I could not tell where the nets were due to high waves breaking on the radar and disguising the echo also had 2 lookouts who were struggling to see.
We knew nets were out because we could see the trawlers ahead of us I stopped Tamisa to have good look ahead, The nearest trawler started to track from our starboard side at a fast rate indicating that the nets were in front of the trawlers and running from our starboard to our portside, we were quite a distance maybe 2 Nmiles and at 8 knots were in no danger. Thankfully the trawler ahead showed his area to us and we headed for his stern with waves all round. It always pays to be vigilant don’t just rely on your electronics use your eyes they are the best method when approaching obstacles.
We didn’t stop any length of time in Bayona, but again worth a visit and a couple of days to look around, could see medieval fortress on hillside in town, 15th/16th century re-make of a galleon to visit, café bars are nice, good chandleryl if parts are required.
The Harbor Master allowed us free berthing as only staying 2 hours. But it was a good rest. This place is full of super yachts and Rodmans. Oh yes we are in Rodman territory now Rodmans being made in Vigo. It’s ok Liz I haven’t traded Tamisa in for a bigger one,. although it was tempting. [Ed note - just think yourself lucky Ian Liz hasn't traded you in yet...]
We have now left Bayona and as stated earlier we have crossed into Portugal and are about 20 Nmiles from Porto. Looking forward to a hot shower on arrival. Speak to you all later time is 15.32pm
Very tired now but hey, it’s not my watch….
Ian
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
La Coruna - David’s Pics
By admin | July 11, 2008
Body bag at the ready for burial at sea
Crew working hard as usual
Ready for charter…
Gijon
Gijon again
Gijon Defences
Wrong. Just Wrong. Les Boys working again.
Marina Gijon
The morning after
Richard at Gijon
Skipper has lost his tiller…
Tamisa’s Engine room & Volvo engineer.
and again.
Tamisa on the berth
Tidied up now as the crew were so busy working before they didn’t have time to do it.
We don’t believe it David. Check out the truth from Jose.
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
Lazy Summer Days
By admin | July 8, 2008
Tuesday 8/7/2008 Temperature in La Coruna is 31 degrees. The guys have been on tram ride around part of city very good, 2 Euros each way. Getting off to see sights when and where you like.
I went and did the food ration shopping and managed a coffee at the same time. Volvo Penta is arriving at 5pm to fit new computer unit to boat. I will let you know outcome. Cleaned boat again - highly polished now. The guys are all sun bathing on bow deck and fly bridge at the moment.
5pm…
Engineers have arrived dead on 5pm and are currently installing new software etc whilst the guys are still posing on deck. Hopefully we will have sea trials shortly and maybe on our way tomorrow. (fingers crossed)
Must go now as we need to batten down the hatches as they say, speak soon
Ian
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
Email in from Ian
By admin | July 6, 2008
Hi Paul,
Just rounding tip of Biscay heading for La Coruna, had more soft ware problems with starboard engine so 3 engineers now meeting us in La Coruna on Monday morning.
Had to divert to a lovely marina between Gijon and La Coruna called Ria de Ribado, very nice harbour, large town again coming to life after 8.pm nice cafe bars and restaurants
Please note that the Almanac has got harbour master information incorrect, there is no vhf calls accepted and the tel number for the harbour is 0034 982 120428 I got this information from the Gijon harbour master whose card i took as trip info. The telephone numbers in the Almanac are wrong and you will not get any luck unless you use number I have stated. Great people there and very helpful. This especially so if lines are required as came in with one engine and no rudder control due to IPS failure.
It was interesting but concentrates the mind with myself at the helm and Richard with the remote bow thruster control keeping the bow out on a running tide against us with all hands to ropes and fenders all was docked beautifully. (Don’t tell Liz we moved her fenders ).!! [Oops, sorry Ian, let that slip - the gale force 9 will be nothing by comparisson now... ]
We have finally rounded the headland out of Biscay into the Iberian Penisular, straight along side Fitzroy which is still throwing up hugh waves and swells. Running with about 45 nmiles to la Coruna Points to remember when coming into Ria de Ribado is the leading green light can be hard to see in rough weather i.e. 3 mtr waves when approaching take a heading of about 173 degrees from 4 nautical miles out.
Be very careful of lobster pots they are numerous and although have yellow marker flags at about 2 feet high are not easy to see due to wave heights, on calm days they would be easy to see.
As you approach you will see a very large road bridge 32mtrs high look for the 2nd column from the left and you will see the green marker, once you see this look to the right on the headland and you will see two red leading marks backing one behind the other up the hill,at night these are clearly visible.
The next red light visible is on the roadside of the harbour wall look to your starboard below the bridge and you will clearly see it. There is a large black and white marker with white light on top we can only assume its a cable marker as in Almanac it stated cable marker can ,which we could not find.
The Almanac states max 45 feet boats, but upon enquiring, providing hammerheads available, would except larger vessels upto 56 feet. Note that it can get choppy at night and although you are in a marina you can feel the chop whilst trying to sleep.
Showers on Sunday morning don’t open until 10 am along with harbour master office, so massive queue for showers and toilets.
I will leave pics of Tia until tomorrow as Fitzroy is getting very rough, it seems to want to hamper our trip all the way, it caused the storm in Biscay and is now driving terrencial rain and swells to our bow head on waves now crashing into windscreens, lets hope we round next headland soon, as usual we are only doing 8 knots due to IPS failure.
The only good thing is that we are visiting ports that we would not have normally visited which makes better reading for our blog and motorboat mag, David is now attempting to make sandwiches for us all with what looks like Opps!!! flying Parma ham Oh well, saves eating the bread. No, No David, leave the drinks for now…
26 minutes till the next headland and hopefully calmer weather can see clear sky’s in distance. Our current position for those sad enough too look at our plight, probably me if I were reading this, is 43 47 .34N 007 49 .52W travelling at 8 knots.
Ref IPS drives we have been running tests as we go and the Volvo engineers are in constant touch even on the weekends. The more testing we do the more info is stored for them. Again you cannot fault Volvo for their constant help and endurance on resolving the problems we are experiencing.
I will leave you with an image of our hardworking Skipper…
Ian
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
Engine issues
By admin | July 4, 2008
Ok so what did go wrong with the engines and what sagas did it cause?
Well the engineer has now been along to take a closer look as we have an update phoned in from Ian.
The first indication of problems was about 120 miles South of the Isle of Wight. An emergency reset of the software seemed to fix things though and they carried on and got to Cameraet without further issue.
Leaving at 2pm on Tuesday there was enough time to clear a large storm that was due in by motoring steadily at 20 knots. Then almost half way the engine went! that meant the storm crept up on them with a maximum of 8 Knots available and very poor steering too of course with lopsided engine power.
The net result was 29 hours or so doing 8 knots in a force 8-9 gale beam on! Waves were breaking over flybridge let alone the windscreen. For the really big waves the helm occassionally put the boat head on. Steve wasn’t in fact just bruised during one of these encounters but did in fact sustain a deep cut on his head as he was thrown about.
The crew were unanimous in one observation though in that the boat was nothing short of fantastic and testimony to her good design. Designed and built by Rodman in Vigo Spain they clearly had the Bay of Biscay firmly in mind when drawing up her lines and specification. Any lesser vessel would have almost certainly become overwhelmed particularly whilst under the reduced power and manovourability.
Apart from the engines themselves the only bit of damage throughout the ordeal was the rear curtain rail that had fallen down during the night.
An Iridium satellite phone was taken along, more as a luxury initially but it has proved invaluable in contacting Volvo for advice on the engines and software. The fact it had to be used by David on the flybridge to work during a force 8 gale was slightly academic… I will publish Davids account here shortly on those aspects.
One of Volvo’s worldwide agents Andres Juan Vizosa Jul classed by Volvo as a technical technician has now been on board with his computer. Some horrifying facts are starting to emerge as a result.
He found no less than 16 faults on board that predated the last service. He found this quite and understandably disgraceful. There was also much corrosion in the engine compartment due to the fact that the engine covers were not sealing the deck still after many attempts by Ancasta to put this right clearly the problem has not yet been resolved.
The outcome of the storm was one to write home about but it could so easily have been so much more tragic if the engines had let them down so that the waves did actually overcome the boat. Doesn’t quite bear thinking about and makes one quite annoyed when realising that it was due to shoddy workmanship and oversight or neglect on the part of the responsible suppliers.
Volvo have been fantastic at putting this right though. They tracked with two named individuals the entire process from the time of the first call from the Sat phone mid storm. Reports back as to progress and the location of engineers have been fed back to the crew every two hours. The engineer has been great too and has upgraded the software which was supposed to have been done at the last service, cleared the faults, sorted out the corrossion issues on the electrics and is taking Tamisa for sea trials tommorrow.
Suitable complaints have been put in about the servicing aspect and still incorrectly fitting engine covers and we await the response to see just how they propose to handle the situation.
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
David’s account
By admin | July 4, 2008
Hi ya Paul,
So the pictures you´ve already received were all taken from Camaret it´s a small town slightly south of Brest but it saves traveling all the way up the channel and back for no reason.
I Will attach a couple more of Camaret to this email.
The Dolphin that followed us in was the most amazing thing ever, it stayed by the boat for over an hour either watching us come along side of turning over onto it´s back to let Jose and I tickle it´s tummy.
The photos from that didn’t come out too well we didn´t want to use flash just in case we scared it as it was pitch black by the time we got in that night.
As for the Biscay crossing, well now we are in Gijon it seems quite alright ,but whilst we were there it was a "little bit hairy" at times. We definitely hit force 8 and 9 gales we had waves taller than the boat breaking over the bow the occasional one breaking straight onto the front windscreen. To be fair running through Biscay for the short period we did on both engines was very good indeed the boat dealt with the large swells extremely well.
When the engine died the fun started. We had to call volvo to see if they could help out. The Volvo Express Service team have been very good indeed they stayed in contact and kept us informed of progress at all times.
The only issue was that to call them we had to use the Satellite phone, which we had taken more as a luxury item and didn’t plan to use, however in order to use it you need to be outside, sitting on top of the fly bridge in full wet weather gear in gale force 8 winds driving rain and with waves breaking over the bow whilst trying to make contact with Volvo in sweden and Motor Tech in Port Solent is not something i want to have to do any time soon. Although I guess by doing that it made crawling up front tied on by a lifeline to refuel in the force 6 appear a little bit easier!
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
Storms aside…
By admin | July 4, 2008
The trip has generally been very interesting so far.
Initially finding the continent at Camaraet in France they picked up a friendly dolphin a few miles out that followed them all the way into the Marina. (Maybe with a premonition of things to come in Biscay? Maybe those old wives tales about sailors and ship wrecks are true, but Dolphins haven’t understood the robustness of the Rodman design yet
The marina charged for everything in camaret. The boat (about 31 Euro) plus 2Euro per person 2 Euro for the showers… you get the picture.
Next morning they averaged 20 knots in a very calm force 2.
They managed to get into Dijon at about 1am on the Thursday with just the one engine going. Ian says it is beautiful there and the marina is cheap too 31 Euros for everything flat fee.
Assuming the boat sea trials go OK they will depart soon to La Corona
Couple of other noticeable things. During the storm the bowthruster was being forced round and the motors were whirring round as a result almost permanently. Switching them off during a storm is definitely recommended.
The other noticeable thing is that with all the drama the guys lost track of the days so some reports have been muddled days wise. I will sort it out once I get a full clear email in over and above some hastily transfered notes by sat phone.
Topics: Madeira expedition | No Comments »
« Previous Entries