‘Arthur’ and Crew - Circumnavigation of Summer 2018 Introduction

• In Summer 2018, ‘Arthur’ completed a circumnavigation of Ireland • covering 907M • over 19 passages • spanning 90 days • This presentation focuses on the Research and Planning that preceded the trip with particular reference to how we coped with the weather

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 2 / 52 Meet ‘Arthur’ “Arthur” a Broom Ocean 37 - Commissioned 1977

• Semi-displacement • 2 x 145hp Perkins 6354Ht • Max speed 12kts (governed). Typical cruising speed 7kts/8kts • Spacious saloon, 2 x cabins, Galley, 2 x heads (1 w/shower) • Garmin 750s chart-plotter and Garmin GMR 18 xHD radar) • Seago Liferaft (4 berth); McMurdo FastFind 210 PLB • Garmin Depth Sounder; Cobra VHF with DSC • Dinghy (3metre) with Suzuki 6hp outboard • Home berth - Portumna • Primarily used on Inland Waters • Coastal Cruising each summer • Up to summer 2018 furthest afield was Kinsale

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 3 / 52 Research and Planning – Our 3 Stage approach

1. Identify ‘ports of call’, ‘passages’, and then plan ‘routes’ 2. Generate weather forecasts for ‘location specific spots’ for each passage 3. Select ‘window of opportunity’ and plan passage using weather forecasts, tidal streams and local tides

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 4 / 52 Arthur on the Shannon Estuary

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 5 / 52 “Arthur” and Crew – the comfort zone

Sea State • Winds – F1 to F3 …0 Knots to 11 Knots • Swell – <=1.5m … circa 4.5ft

We pay attention to • Wind direction • Tide direction

We try to avoid • Wind against tide

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 6 / 52 Arthur approaching Dursey Sound

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 7 / 52 Stage 1

Selecting ‘Ports of Call’, Identifying Passages and Planning Routes

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 8 / 52 Arthur in Lawrence Cove Marina

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 9 / 52 The Research – Primary Resources - A Printed: • Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions: • South & West Coasts of Ireland • North & East Coasts of Ireland • UK & Ireland - Circumnavigator’s Guide (2nd edition) – Sam Steele • Sailing Around the UK & Ireland (2nd edition) – Roger Oliver • Cruising The Wild Atlantic Way – Daria & Alex Blackwell • Papers charts – Imray • Moorings List – Irish Sailing

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 10 / 34 Arthur passing

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 11 / 52 The Research – Primary Resources - B

Internet: • eOceanic.com (formerly inyourfootsteps.com) • MalinWaters.com • Marinas.com

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 12 / 52 Arthur berthed at Sherkin Island

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 13 / 52 Selecting ‘Ports of Call’

Criteria • Passage length not exceeding 70nm. • Ease of access • Marinas, (where possible) …managed/supervised, with range of services and facilities, e.g. • shore-power • water • diesel (occasionally) • laundry facilities • shops • restaurants

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 14 / 52 Arthur rounding

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 15 / 52 19 selected ‘Ports of Call’ and projected Passages 1. Kilrush 2. Dingle 3. Lawrence Cove (Bere Island) 4. Sherkin Island 5. Kinsale 6. Crosshaven 7. Kilmore Quay 8. Arklow 9. 10. Ardglass 11. Bangor 12. Ballycastle 13. Portrush 14. Fahan (Lough Swilly 15. Bunbeg 16. Killybegs 17. Broadhaven 18. Inishbofin 19. Rossaveal

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 16 / 52 Arthur arriving in Crosshaven

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 17 / 52 19 Passages – Distance and Projected Duration

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 18 / 52 Arthur passing Hook Head

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 19 / 52 Route planning

Chartplotter - Garmin 750s • Routes planned on PC with HomePort app with reference to Sailing Directions and other resources • Routes uploaded to Garmin 750s via SD (Secure Digital) card

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 20 / 52 Arthur on the Long Pontoon at Arklow

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 21 / 52 Stage 2

Organising Weather Forecasting and Noting Local Tides and Tidal Streams

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 22 / 52 Arthur approaching Dalkey Sound

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 23 / 52 The Research – Resources re Weather Forecasting

Primary Apps - PC and Android: • Windguru.com – Free or Paid. Using since 2007 • Windfinder.com – PC version – FREE • Windfinder Pro (Android) – a one- off payment €5.49

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 24 / 52 Arthur approaching & Baily

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 25 / 52 The Research – Identifying Weather Forecast Spots

Both Windguru and Windfinder offer ‘Maps’ with ‘Forecast Spots’ easily identified and selectable.

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 26 / 52 Arthur passing Rockabill Islands & Lighthouse

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 27 / 52 The Research – Forecast Spots for Selected Passages

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 28 / 52 Sunrise at Phennick Cove Marina, Ardglass

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 29 / 52 The Research – Word Weather Spot Forecast Documents

InishbofinList of Wordforecasts documents, x 4 for 6oneth September per Weather Spot, stored on Laptop

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 30 / 52 Arthur approaching Belfast Lough

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 31 / 52 The Research – Tides: Local Tide Tables and Tidal Stream resources Local Tide Tables: • Tide Tables 2018 – Official All-Ireland • Local Tide Tables, e.g. • Shannon Foynes Port Company – Limerick, Foynes, Tarbert • Fenit Sailing Club • Tide 7 – (Android) – one-off payment €1.69

Tidal Streams – Tables/Charts and Atlas • Tidal Stream Maps – ICC Sailing Directions (S&W) • Admiralty (UK) Tidal Stream Atlas

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 32 / 52 Arthur approaching Fair Head and Rathlin Island

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 33 / 52 Stage 3

Deciding when to undertake a passage

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 34 / 52 Arthur in Portrush Marina

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 35 / 52 Passage planning – choosing departure day and time

Choosing the day • Weather forecast is the primary factor – match Arthur’s ‘Comfort Zone’

Choosing the departure time • Check Tidal Streams… where possible take advantage of same • Check Local Tides…where possible benefit from local ebb tide at time of departure and rising tide at point of arrival

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 36 / 52 Arthur passing Head, Lough Swilly

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 37 / 52 A snapshot reminder of the weather. Bolus Head, 3rd-13th July N.B. We passaged from Dingle to Lawrence Cove on 3rd July. Departure 08:30. Arrival: 15:30

• Wind mostly F1/F2 • Wave < 1.3m

N.B. We undertook passages on: Tues 3/7 Wed 4/7, Thurs 5/7, Sat 7/7, Sun 8/7

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 38 / 52 Arthur at Gola Island

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 39 / 52 A snapshot reminder of the weather. Howth, 16th-25th July N.B. We passaged from Arklow to Howth on 16th July and from Howth to Ardglass on 18th July

▪ Wind mostly F2/F3 ▪ Wave height < 0.4m

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 40 / 52 Arthur departing Killybegs Harbour

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 41 / 52 A snapshot reminder of the weather. Malin Head, 24th July N.B. We passaged from Portrush to Fahan (Lough Swilly) departing Portrush circa 09:50

I misjudged this one!

▪ Wind: mostly LOWER F3 ▪ Wind gusts: HIGH F3 / LOW F4 ▪ Wind direction: From West ▪ Wave height: < 1.4m ▪ Wave period: 8/9secs ▪ Special warning re Inishtrahull Sound in ICC Sailing Directions

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 42 / 52 16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 43 / 52 Arthur departing Broadhaven Bay

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 44 / 52 Arthur arriving at Inishbofin Harbour

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 45 / 52 A fundamental question… Which way round?

A Fundamental Question… • Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise? Which way? • Sam Steele suggests, as do others, that there is not much difference. She went anti-clockwise and thought she should have gone clockwise. • She met a yacht going clockwise who regretted that they didn’t go anti- clockwise!!! Why we chose Anti-clockwise • Familiar waters at start • Availability of Marinas v Harbours • If not attempting circumnavigation at least in good and safe cruising grounds. N.B. circumnavigation was probably not decided until we reached Bangor!

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 46 / 52 Arthur departing Rossaveal

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 47 / 52 The Statistics! Total Days: 90 Passages 19 Total Distance 907 M Total Passage Time: 118 Hrs Average Passage Time: 6 hrs 12 mins Marinas / Harbours Visited: 19 Total Fuel Consumption: 1888 L Total Fuel Cost: €1594 Cheapest: €0.80 per L Dearest: €1.09 per L Total Berthing Fees: €1956 Cheapest: €20.00 per Night Dearest: €41.25 per Night

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 48 / 52 Arthur rounding

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 49 / 52 Is it always ‘plain sailing’ on “Arthur”?

NO!…we ALWAYS experience ‘hebegebees’ before we commence a passage, particularly in new waters, but once we get underway they usually vanish fairly quickly.

Our ‘Golden Rule’ is that if either of us don’t like the conditions we voice our concern and head for a bolt-hole or return to the point of departure.

We appreciate that ‘Arthur’ is made of stern stuff and, despite how bad the conditions might seem to us, she will stay afloat long after we might have given up!

For us, boating is for enjoyment and the research and planning we undertake, together with the decisions that we make, are all intended to achieve that objective!

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 50 / 52 Arthur arriving at Kilrush Marina

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 51 / 52 In conclusion… There are good ships, And there are wood ships, The ships that sail the sea, But the best ships are friendships And may they always be… (Irish Proverb)

Safe and Happy Sailing to all…

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 52 / 52 The End

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 53 / 52 16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 54 / 17 16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 55 / 17 Meet ‘Arthur’ …and crew “Arthur” a Broom Ocean 37 • Commissioned 1977 • Semi-displacement • 2 x 145hp Perkins 6354Ht • Max speed 12kts (governed). Typical cruising speed 7kts/8kts • Spacious saloon, 2 x cabins, Galley, 2 x heads (1 w/shower) • Garmin 750s chart-plotter and Garmin GMR 18 xHD radar) • Seago Liferaft (4 berth); McMurdo FastFind 210 PLB • Garmin Depth Sounder; Cobra VHF with DSC • Dinghy (3metre) with Suzuki 6hp outboard • Home berth - Portumna • Primarily used on Inland Waters • Coastal Cruising each summer • Up to summer 2018 furthest afield was Kinsale

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 56 / 34 Meet the crew

Paul Scannell & Mary Healy • Former Lecturers at Hotel School, RTCG/GMIT • Paul retired 2007, Mary retired 2018 • Paul had no prior boating experience other than 3 x cruiser rental weekends on Lough Derg in 1997, 1998, 2005 • Coastal cruising every summer since 2007

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 57 / 34 Meet the crew Skipper • Paul Scannell…a recently accredited septuagenarian • Retired (2007) GMIT Lecturer (Hotel School) • Purchased “Arthur” in 2006 • No prior boating experience other than 3 x cruiser rental weekends on Lough Derg in 1997, 1998, 2005 • Coastal cruising every summer since 2007 First Mate • Mary Healy…a perpetual thirty-something. • Retired (2018) GMIT Lecturer (Hotel School) • No prior experience other than angling boats on Loughs Conn and Cullen near family home at Pontoon • Crewing on “Arthur” since 2006 • And she’s not for sale, hire or loan!

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 58 / 34 The Research, Planning and Preparations Stage 1: Selecting ‘Ports of Call’, Identifying Passages and Planning Routes Step 1: Source the resources – Printed and Internet based Step 2: Select ‘Ports of Call’ – use resources Step 3: Identify ‘Passages’ – connect the dots! Step 4: Create ‘Routes’ – refer to resources and uses chart-plotter software

Stage 2: Organising Weather Forecasting and noting Local Tides and Tidal Streams Step 1: Choose Weather Forecasting Apps / Websites Step 2: Identify Weather Forecast Spots – use Map options Step 3: Create Weather Forecast Documents – MS Word Step 4: Download Weather Forecasts – usually 4 times a day

Stage 3: Deciding when to undertake a passage Step 1: Analyse Weather Forecasts Step 2: Identify Window of Opportunity – Match ‘Comfort Zone’ Step 3: Use Tidal Stream Maps/Atlas – sync passage time with Tidal Stream Step 4: Refer to Local Tide Tables – determine optimum departure time

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 59 / 34 The Research – Primary Resources

Printed: • Irish Cruising Club - South & West Coasts of Ireland Sailing Directions • Irish Cruising Club - North & East Coasts of Ireland Sailing Directions • UK & Ireland - Circumnavigator’s Guide (2nd edition) – Sam Steele • Sailing Around the UK & Ireland (2nd edition) – Roger Oliver • Papers charts – Imray • Moorings List – Irish Sailing Internet: • eOceanic.com (formerly inyourfootsteps.com) • Malin Waters • Visit My Harbour.com • Marinas.com • Navionics.com

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 60 / 34 Pre-passage preparations – camera(s), phones, communications equipment Camera(s) and Phone(s) • All batteries charged before commencing passage • Ample ‘free storage’ on SD cards/Phones • Mobile Broadband Dongle charged and ready • Inverter set up for use while underway

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 61 / 34 About to depart… and getting underway

Routines • We usually rise approx. 60-90mins before departure time • We finish off pre-passage preparations • We eat breakfast, sometimes hurried! • Switch battery charger and fridge to non shore-power mode • Fenders raised and secured • Warps folded and secured • Decide whether canopy can be lowered. Might not be possible when underway.

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 62 / 18 Pre-passage preparations – equipment, charts, food

Navigation aids and other equipment • Chartplotter with current route • Paper charts (Imray) • Binoculars • Anemometer • VHF (Fixed and handheld) checked prior to commencing passage • ‘Grab bag’

Food & Drink • Food, usually sandwiches – especially ‘egg & chive’. Quantity depending on duration of passage • Flask of tea • Water • Fruit 16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 63 / 34 The Research, Planning and Preparations Stage 3: Deciding when to undertake a passage Step 1: Analyse Weather Forecasts Step 2: Identify Window of Opportunity – Match ‘Comfort Zone’ Step 3: Use Tidal Stream Maps/Atlas – sync passage time with Tidal Stream Step 4: Refer to Local Tide Tables – determine optimum departure time

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 64 / 17 The Research, Planning and Preparations Stage 1: Selecting ‘Ports of Call’, Identifying Passages and Planning Routes Step 1: Source the resources – Printed and Internet based Step 2: Select ‘Ports of Call’ – use resources Step 3: Identify ‘Passages’ – connect the dots! Step 4: Create ‘Routes’ – refer to resources and uses chart-plotter software

Stage 2: Dealing with Weather Step 1: Choose Weather Forecasting Apps / Websites Step 2: Identify Weather Forecast Spots – use Map options Step 3: Create Weather Forecast Documents – MS Word Step 4: Download Weather Forecasts – usually 4 times a day Step 5: Analyse Weather Forecasts Stage 10: Identify Window of Opportunity – Match ‘Comfort Zone’ Stage 11: Use Tidal Stream Maps Stage 12: Use Local Tide Tables 16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 65 / 17 19 selected ‘destinations’ and projected Passages

16th February 2019 Arthur’s 2018 Circumnavigation of Ireland – IS Cruising Conference 2019 Slide 66 / 18