I see we are missing some great sailing weather at home

[Nick]

Inshore waters forecast Mull of Kintyre to Ardanmurchan

24 hour forecast:
WindSoutherly or southwesterly, backing southeasterly for a time, 4 or 5, increasing 7 to severe gale 9, perhaps storm 10 later.

Outlook for the following 24 hours:
WindSouthwesterly veering westerly, 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first, decreasing 5 or 6 later.

We had a fantastic sail up here today (Dingja, 61deg 01'N 5deg 03'E) from Solheim on Masfjord - running with just the main up doing 5-6 knots most of the time, then at a particularly narrow and alarming section of one of the channels, with only the electronic charts for guidance, discretion suggested swapping the sail plan from just main to just genoa and we carried on the rest of the way at speeds up to 6.8 knots. The Gribs suggest it was only F5 this afternoon, but the wind is accelerated dramatically in the narrow steep-sided channels between islands in the inner lead. The windometer has died but I reckon we had 30+ knots up the chuff most of the afternoon, occasionally more - with flat water. It was a dream sail, but having just had a look at the synoptics and the Gribs we have modified tomorrow's target, which was to have been Floro. Instead we will head for Leirvik in Bofjord, about eight miles away on the North side of the entrance to Sognefjord. It looks like a comfy place to wait and see what this horrendous great low is going to do next.

I will try to get the blog updated from there - need to save the battery on this thing for charts tomorrow.

Hope you are all somewhere safe . . .

[Telo]

It's not been too bad, good winds and pretty sunny for most of the time, although tonight and tomorrow look like being windier. We're just back from a few days out. Had a F7 when we were in Acairseid Mhòr, Gometra, the other night, and some fast sailing interspersed with periods of almost no breeze. Stopped in a couple of new-to-us places, the aforesaid Acairseid Mhòr, and the bay immediately to the east of Sàilean Mòr, Oronsay, which I presume would be Sàilean Beag. Saw several basking sharks near the NW entrance to the Sound of Mull, an otter showing off its fishy catch at Oronsay, and the dense smoke billowing from the bridge of the Yeoman Bontrup berthed at the Glensanda superquarry.







Apparently a fire started onboard at about half past three yesterday afternoon, with a huge explosion about three hours later. Miraculously, there seem to have been no serious injuries, but Paul at Linnhe Marine said the blast shook the windows at Appin, a few miles away. A Coastguard vessel was alongside the Bontrup and the there was still dense smoke billowing from the bridge this afternoon. I'd guess she's taken on much of her load when the fire started.

[Rowana]

Bit breezy in Peterheid as well -

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including Orkney

Strong winds are forecast

For coastal areas up to 12 miles offshore from 1200 UTC Sun 04 Jul until 1200 UTC Mon 05 Jul
24 hour forecast:

Wind
Southeast 6 to gale 8, veering west or southwest 7 to severe gale 9, then decreasing 4 or 5.
Sea State
Rough or very rough west of Orkney, slight or moderate elsewhere.
Weather
Occasional rain then showers.
Visibility
Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours:

Wind
West or southwest 4 or 5, occasionally 6 near Cape Wrath.
Sea State
Moderate or rough, but slight near Rattray Head.
Weather
Occasional showers.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate


Rattray Head to Berwick upon Tweed

Strong winds are forecast

For coastal areas up to 12 miles offshore from 1200 UTC Sun 04 Jul until 1200 UTC Mon 05 Jul
24 hour forecast:

Wind
South or southeast 6 to gale 8, veering west or southwest 7 to severe gale 9, decreasing 4 or 5 later.
Sea State
Moderate or rough.
Weather
Occasional showers, rain at first.
Visibility
Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

Outlook for the following 24 hours:

Wind
West or southwest 4 or 5, increasing 6 at times near firths of Tay and Forth.
Sea State
Slight or moderate, occasionally rough in north.
Weather
Occasional showers.
Visibility
Good.

[DaveS]

I like that!

Worrying! Was your picture taken before or after the explosion? Any idea yet what caused it? Apart from fuel, or maybe the odd welding or cooking gas bottle, you wouldn't have thought there was much else particularly combustible on a stone carrier.

[Telo]

Hi Dave. We passed the Bontrup about 24 hours after the main fire and explosion. Don't know what started it, but local rumour suggested a fire started in the ship's onboard crane engine. As for the explosion, I'd guess stored gas (acetylene?) perhaps.

Given that most of the ship is steel, it all seemed to burn remarkably well.

BTW, that otter had a crap while it was showing off its fish. Cheeky little annoying people....