2. Storm in the North Sea

Departure started well.

After further preparations in Arendal (south coast of Norway) we finally left for England. The forecast called for 12 m/s wind but we figured it would pass.




Big waves.

Video

Wind picked up the first night. We took down the mainsail and the autopilot kept the boat in the right direction. Wind was between 16 – 20 m/s. We decided that if the wind picked up we would put out the brake anchor and bar the hatches, fortunately we didn’t have to.

The vessel and equipment handled the weather a lot better than the sailors, I got seasick and could not eat or sleep while the storm raged, time passed by at a snails pace.

I woke up in the middle of the night with a rather large BANG ! ! ! I jumped up and screamed out to Tom to find out what happened, could not find anything wrong. We ran to the front of the boat to find out if the boat was taking in water and found all our equipment soaking wet, we threw everything to one side and expected a large leak, imagined setting out the liferaft and watching the sailboat sink. We checked the entire boat but could not find a leak anywhere. After we calmed down a bit, we found out later that the front hatch was leaking and the waves must have got the water in. What exactly hit the boat we don’t know - could have been a log or a whale.

In the midst of the storm a large tanker ship stopped about 300 M in front of our boat, did not want to wave to them in case they thought we needed help, did not want to start a rescue situation. They finally left after a little while; I wonder what they were thinking.

Everything up front soaking wet.




After the storm we had great wind, 5-7 knots all the way.





A lot of gas rigs north of England, zigzagged through them. Radioed to one of them and asked them to call home to let them know we were still alive :) They normally did not do that but made an exeption to accommodate two crazy Norwegians.

The best observation during the trip was made by Tom, he thought the reflection of the moon was a sailboat with lights in the mast.

Had a surprise visitor, figured the gull hit the sail and fell in through the front hatch. Though briefly about having the gull for our supper.... We set him free.

White cliffs of Dover

Finally in Ramsgate, not far from Dover. Took us five days so we figured a little rest and a few beers were appropriate.

The septic pump failed in the North Sea, the tank was half full, the railing was our only way to… We agreed that we would give each other privacy while we were doing our “duty” :)

Tom agreed to replace the septic pump in England, I think he regretted that decision, have a close look at his arms…