THE DELIVERY TRIP

DAY 1 Sat 24 Feb 07 KIEL-ELLÖS

Reporting time was 1700 hrs outside the sailing wing ready to move at 1800hrs. The first incident was that I, Chris Wrigley got half way there when I realised that I had forgot one of the most important packages needed.  The bacon & sausages for breakfast. I phoned Tim to let him know I would be a little late.

Once there, the next part of the ships inventory was to get the beer supply for when we arrived in Sweden. For this we called on my wife Annette to open the bar which was not a great problem apart from the inside door to the bar was locked.  So she had to drive the round trip of some 30 km to get the other keys. Were we going to make the 1800 hrs depart dead line?

On leaving Kiel just after six, the temperature was +4° and we had heard that Denmark had some major dumping of snow in Arhus. (Not the one in our street).which caused structural damage.

On entering Denmark the temp had dropped +1° and kept on dropping, and with that came rain.  The further we went the colder it got, and then ice started to form on the mirrors of the truck. Before we left, Baz had said that the Great Belt bridge had been closed that morning to high sided vehicles, so Tim and myself where wondering if we were going to get over this evening or have to wait till the wind had died down.  On the approach to the bridge there was an accident involving three cars that had happened five minutes earlier. A heavy goods vehicle was there to provide assistance which allowed us to continue.  We managed to get through before the emergency services arrived.

Then, there it was; the bridge, all 19kms of it crossing the Great Belt. There was a warning sign stating the wind strength was 10kms, not to worry we thought, but has we started to go across there was some trepidation whether they had under estimated the wind strength, but there was no turning back. The wind was SSW ish and more like 20 + kms, the truck started to sway a little, but as it was towards the centre of the carriage way there was nothing to worry about. Then we started to approach the suspension section, as we passed through the first set of towers the truck lurched violently to the left and large pieces of ice fell from the suspension cables. It was like something out of Gone in 60 seconds the movie. As we drove I looked out the window, it was like looking into the abyss.  Complete darkness, but we both knew what was out there and could imagine just how cold the water was. Then the second towers and the same again. Finally the toll booths were in sight, and with a sigh of relief Baz was waiting to pay the £96 for the experience.  During this last stage of the journey there wasn’t a word said, we just looked at one another.

The rest of the journey was pretty uneventful, minus temperatures, vehicles abandoned in the snow on the side of the road, but worse of all, nowhere to get a warm drink after 10 o’clock at night on Swedish motorways. That really upset the silver greyed fox.

Eventually we did find a fuel station with service, but it meant standing outside and being served through a small window, but we did get a much deserved hot drink.  As we drove into the outskirts of Gothenberg, we pulled into the golden arches to get some breakfast, it was here that we wished Manfred a happy 60^th birthday.  We had got him a card and little gift, (a very fine vintage from my wine collection). We did get some strange looks when we started to sing happy birthday at 0800hrs.

As we got within 2kms of our destination what should there be but a major accident closing the road for 2 hrs. As we were turned round by the police a helicopter landed to take the injured to hospital. We finally arrived at 1300hrs after 19hrs and some 850kms without any incident to ourselves.  Considering the conditions a mean achievement by any standard.

DAY 2 Monday

After a much deserved sleep in the local hotel we turned up at the yard of Hallberg Rassy. Baz, Tim and Manfred had done the formal take over of the first two boats, Pochard and Teal and we set about getting settled in.  Tim and I went to work selecting where the boats inventory was to go, and then the rest of the team did the same to their boat. After that Tim and Manfred then set about going through the rest of the fleet with a fine tooth comb checking for damage and that they were finished as per the contract.

DAY 3 Tuesday

Reveille was 0600 and the aroma of freshly made coffee made by our lovely leader Baz wafted through the boat which he served to us in bed, (wonder if that will carry on everyday).  We agreed to start work right away and then have breakfast at 1000hrs. This worked well and we worked straight through lunch and finished work at 1600hrs having completed the main bulk of the work; i.e. boats inventory, pushpit fittings, mainsails bent on etc.

Day 4 Wednesday

Reveille as per normal, and yet again Baz came up trumps with the coffee then daily brief, split into teams then on we went. The morning greeted us with a down pour of snow, which stayed with us for most of the day. At 0930 we stopped for breakfast, which Jon the diver volunteered to produce.  He started around 0830 only planned to do boiled eggs, lacking in egg boiling experience our eggs were cooked to death.  He did inform me that’s how divers like their eggs done.  Fortunately for him its not a comp crew course, otherwise it could have been a big fail. Never mind, there’s plenty of time for him to get some practice in before we get back to Kiel.  Anyway we managed to finish by 1100hrs, and then back to the grind. The snow stopped and down came the rain well more that light drizzle, the one that soaks you to the skin.

During the morning the jetty was slippery and some members of the work force had close encounters with getting their feet wet, i.e. me. The best bit of news was I managed to complete my tasks without dropping one piece of kit in the water. I impressed everyone with a felt handle warmer for my wrench and Tim spent the rest of the day trying to get his hands on my tool.  The Swedish workers impressed us all, especially the girls who got involved with all aspects of the practical boat work.  But they often left a lot of their equipment lying around on the boats, so the guys had to ask them to remove their kit quite often.

Day 5 Thursday

Today started miserably, it rained and snowed all day. But luckily for me, my tasks involved working down below, yippee. This was securing all clocks and barometers to the nav area. Then there was a break in the weather which gave me enough time to fit the tiller extensions.  That afternoon Goran lowbear, our HR rep, joined us for a drink. We thought a cuppa, but ended up a beer then he saw we had a bottle of hairy leg, (Grouse whiskey).  He started telling us stories of when BKYC first purchased the fleet of 29’s; this brought some laughs, i.e. when they had to go via Gottenberg to clear customs and one boat tied their lines to a goods train which then started to pull off. Then he had to leave as he was almost late for his evening meal.

Before the night ended, Baz made a comment about boat handling, and Tim his side kick and in all honesty his right hand man made the mistake of challenging him to a bet, about boat handling.  I myself knew better than to challenge the sailing guru to anything to do with the above mentioned. To be continued

Day 6 Friday

Today the fleet was starting to look good, but there was still some small tasks left to do.  Magnus Rassy turned up to take some photos, but he wanted our two boats, Pochard and Teal moving to the opposite side of the jetty as per BKYC stern to. Tim said lets do it. So I worked the bows and as he was my leader he, took hold of the tiller. We slipped no problems there, we motored round to the other side, good no contact there, then now came the test. Wind, top end of a one, sea state, Harry flatters, viability, you could see Norway.  To witness this excellent demonstration of boat handling, the entire staff of HR turned out and most of the population of Ellös. There hasn’t been this much excitement in this village since the Vikings departed to invade England.  A good 15 mins later Pochard was seen with its main anchor wedged fairly and squarely on top of a mooring post. It was at this point the locals thought they would make a day of it as it was an early finish for the weekend, the crowed decided to spark up the BBQ, splash the snaps and pump up the bouncy castle.  The locals had so much fun they asked when we would be back again.  To add insult to injury, another less experienced member of staff made a text book mooring.  Who would put money on Tim now; especially with his enormous appetite for ‘humble pie?’ after this excitement we tidied up the fleet and prepared supper, laughter was heard until the small hours in this tiny outcrop of Sweden.

Day 7 Saturday

This morning was with a late start around 0900, we got into the final stage, small titivation of all boats then ended with all boats being washed down, then assembling the cockpit tents which was something out of the krypton factor.  We finished quite early, and then first to the showers, after we all agreed we had deserved a night out which was the local pizzeria.  As we descended the owners eyes lit up as 9 rather hungry tired men rushed to the counter, which was probably the most custom he had ever had in this rather small populated hamlet.  Once finished, we returned to the boats for a few games of cribbage and a wee night cap.

Day 8 Sunday

Today was as described in the bible, a day of rest.  Crews got on with personal admin and both crews finished the afternoon with a nice roast dinner. Our crew had roast beef with rosemary roasted potatoes, honey glazed parsnips in an onion & mushroom sauce and buttered broccoli.  The other had roast lamb with ground coriander and garlic and the normal compliment of related vegetables. All in all, a damn good week’s hard work was done by all, and all that was left was to wait for the main party to arrive.  We were informed that the transport had left on time, which came as a bit of a shock as certain individuals have a difficulty with punctuality! (TEO).

The main party arrived at 1930hrs, coffee was laid on in the mast shed of HR, hellos were said and the coach was emptied of all personal belongings.  Skippers and crews were briefed about the normal do’s and don’ts, and then handovers of the fleet began. The evening meal and brew kit had been purchased for all the boats prior to their arrival by Shaun, one of the Kiel trg staff, which I would imagine was a god send after their long journey up from Kiel. It was quite simply spag boll, which was quick and simple, there were no complaints from any crews which no doubt Shaun was more than happy with.

Day 9 Monday

This morning started with a full systems check on the fleet with the skippers and Kiel staff, i.e. instruments, engine checks etc. Once the skippers were happy, they were told to fuel their boat, which was a short motor round to the HR fuel pumps, not to great a mission one would have thought. How wrong we where, on completion of refuelling one boat seem to forget his way back to the jetty, only some 50mtrs away so many red and green buoys but still he managed to go aground, to much delight of the HR work force looking on.  Luckily Goran was on hand and pulled them off with a brand new HR 48.

Once the spectical was over the crews were allowed to go for a test sail that afternoon, but return in time for the party that evening laid on by HR and the staff who helped build our order. The party started at 1700hrs, Mr Magnus Rassy opened with a speech then the party began. The food was first class, with a starter of fish soup that had more fish in it then the North Sea.  The main course was a classical Swedish dish, meat balls, fried sausages and potatoes with herring and salad, and not for getting liquid refreshments. Angus was asked by Goran if he could tell people to leave as it was getting rather late. Angus obliged and to the CWO’s amusement people did exactly that. During that evening there were some incidents which involved planned ice diving, one of which was unplanned!

Day 10 Tuesday the voyage home

Today the fleet were leaving at 1400hrs, crews did their last bit of victualing, the fleet were to leave as a group. 1400hrs arrived and off we went, weather forecast was not in our favour (shock) on the nose gusting 37knts.  Within two hours to my shock, I was over the side feeding the fish. Baz said it’s the first trip of the season you just need to get your sea legs. Yes but I was out of it for almost six hours, made friends with the ships bucket, then Jon the diver followed, and both of us where out of it, Jon more so.  When he was able to speak words like you can stick comp crew up your rear end. (Or something like that).

Anyway, it wasn’t long before more boats were reporting in with the same stories.  Some boats decided to make for shelter as the sea state was about a six with wind and current against us.  But we the hardened ones just kept on battling on until we arrived at our first port of Anholt which was about 80 sea miles. We achieved this in 20hrs, and then sat down to Shepard’s pie.  The rest of the fleet were between six and ten hours behind.  So some of the crew got some much deserved shut eye whilst I kept a listening watch on the radio. We received a call from Gannet saying his engine was not starting, so the silver grey fox told him to carry on with the white flappy things (sails)

Time 1830; Gannet reported in saying he was ten minutes away.  Mr Bannister and Mr Parry, crew from Pochard went to take his lines.  His approach was text book, and his lines where taken.  But then as always, out come the Chay Blyths to watch the mooring with the usual comments “oh you don’t want to do it like that, you should have done it like this” the crew were left to finish securing the boat then Tim went back to hopefully rectify the problem. Nine down, one to go, This was Widgeon bringing up the rear, crewed by Tim’s brother of the Senior Service who reported that he was approx 16kms way. This meant ETA 2100hrs. Baz spoke with the local lifeboat man who helped with supplying us with telephone number so that we could fuel the fleet first thing in the morning.  It was brought to our attention that some of the boats had lost their anchors complete with 15mtrs of chain, and one reported he had lost his hand held VHF radio.

Day 12 Thursday

0730 skippers brief, then the fleet was fuelled. The visibility was down to less than 100mtrs.  Some skippers were a little apprehensive about leaving, which was a shock as they where RN so the world’s smallest violin was played just for them and away the fleet went regardless. The visibility picked up later that morning and with it came a fresh south westerly, Gannet made his way to Grenna with Teal, just in case he required a tow if the wind died.  Gannet was to liaise with a Volvo rep to seek out the engine problem he incurred the night before.  Once the fog lifted a strange object appeared in the sky above. It also started to give out heat, it was then realised that this strange phenomenon was in fact called the sun, which stayed with us for most of the day which made the voyage more pleasant. Has we headed south Capt Phil Brown on Tern radioed to inform us that his engine was being held on by only two mounting bolts, so Baz as usual said up with the white flappy things. Not long after he reported back that he managed to reposition the engine and tighten the mountings. However this was something to be looked at on all the fleet once back in Kiel. But the skippers checked their engines all the same.  Pochard was alongside Erritso at 2230hrs and the rest of the fleet where between one and six hours behind.  This was due to local knowledge and being confident with ones navigational abilities.  Once most of the fleet where in the crews got some serious sleep ready for the following days trip. Once the ninth boat was in, Baz radioed the last for an eta which was some three to four hours away, Baz and Tim decided to slip as Angus on Teal said he would be still be up. At about 0300hrs we, Pochard slipped to make our way back to Kiel.  The wind as with the rest of the week, was southerly right on the nose, (what else could you expect for a delivery trip). At 0530 approx, we received a call from the last boat saying he arrived in Erritso.  During our trip back to Kiel, we were inundated with phone calls saying that other boats were starting to experience similar engine problems as Gannet. Tim was on the phone to HR, who supplied us with Volvo agents contact details in the ports in question. Pochard arrived back in Kiel at 1600hrs, and we got right into cleaning. By 1800hrs we were finished and a well deserved beer was the order of the day. We congratulated ourselves on a mission well accomplished and off home to a nice hot shower and our own beds.  Not that we had been sleeping in other peoples beds.  On Monday morning, five boats where back, and by lunch time they had been handed back to KTC, but not all in one piece.