Fishguard looked after Good Dog and me for four days during a crew change. Carl Milne the HM of the Stena deep water ferry terminal kindly let me tie up on a very high wall adjacent to the lifeboat. It was spring tides so each 6 hours Good Dog would rise or fall nearly 5 metres. Luckily I had a tough fender board and very long ropes to “spring” the constant movement.
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Carl started work here aged 18… that was 40 years ago! In 1900 Fishguard was developed as a high speed cross Atlantic port, the train arriving from London in just 4.5 hours (it now takes 5.5 hours!) with Stock and Share certificates bound for New York. Now the Stena ferry slips in and out twice a day bound for Ireland. Carl has seen many things in his time, once having to rescue a fishing boat off the long break water on Christmas Day. He has hosted sea planes, cruise ships and the Royal Navy whose target towing boat lives in his harbour.
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Across the bay in Lower Town, a completely different harbour is tucked away and looked after by the recently retired coxwain of the Lifeboat, Paul Butler. The harbour is tranquil and friendly (thank you Tina for my free drink in the sailing club!). I could not find Paul in his office but he kindly popped over and visited Good Dog next to his old lifeboat. He was coxwain for 26 years and very modest about his career in which he carried out about 40 rescues a year. He told me how the Trent class boat keeps its engine pre-warmed at all times, and all the navigation equipment running so they can be deployed and travelling at full revs (2,300 rpm gives them over 20 knots) within a minute of departing. As ever, us sailors are very grateful for the RNLI. Finally did you know that the last French invasion of Britain occurred here in 1797, repelled by Welsh ladies funny skirts and big hats!
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About the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge: I am circumnavigating #GB attempting to visit every #harbour with a #harbourmaster #fundraising to #support @Seafarers_UK and their work in the #martime industry, supporting #seafarersand their #families.
#harbourmastersailingchallenge #teamseafarersuk #seafarersuk #sailing #adventure #personalchallenge
