BLUEMOMENT

First time I've ever seen this in an inshore waters forecast . . .

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including Orkney
Inshore waters forecast

Outlook: 1800 Thu 31 Jan 1800 Fri 01 Feb
Wind Westerly veering northerly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10, perhaps violent storm 11 for a time in north, decreasing 6 or 7 later.

Sea state Very rough or high, increasing very high, perhaps phenomenal, for a time in northwest.

Shipping forecast is giving Low 200 miles south of Iceland 993 expected Fair Isle 949 by midday tomorrow

Hebrides: Southwesterly gale 8 to storm 10 veering northerly severe gale 9 to violent storm 11, perhaps hurricane force 12 later.

Nice!

I knew there was a reason why I didn't cruise up there! Seriously tho' that is not nice for ANY of the Northern Islands. It's not that long ago that a family were washed off a causeway in the Hebrides. Let's hope there is nowt like that this time.

Might be an interesting night for the lifeboat stranded on Rathlin Island http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/200800 ... mnews.html

Bit like sailing - if you don't go aground occasionally, you're probably not trying hard enough.

Low 200 miles south of Iceland 993 expected Fair Isle 949 by midday tomorrow.

So that's an average fall of nearly 3Hp per hour for 18 hours. What did they say on my yachtmaster course?

My God I remember when I was Captain of a whaling ship bound out from Leith to Torshavn in the Faeroe Islands
It was blowing something like a choppy force 17 at the time and I was standing at my rightful place at the Bow (front) of the ship defying God and the elements to put me under.
I turned around to my starboard (right) and saw the crew being sick over the side.
I said "Come on chaps" (Called them Chaps - good for morale and by God they loved me for it)
"Come on Chaps - lets all heave to - sorry chaps - bad turn of phrase - lets all pull together and we'll get to Torshavn if its the last thing we do"
Well - the chaps responded splendidly and within weeks we were safe in port - drinking whisky and deflowering the maidens.

I think sailing in bad weather is all about having the right attitude.

You were sounding quite convincing until you got to the bit about deflowering maidens then you just pushed it a bit too far.

That is what the maidens said

I'm sure there was a guy in a kayak out there with Claymore a wee while ago. I can't see him now. Do you think he's allright, should we maybe alert someone?