Competent Crew

Sunday 3rd June

Starting off on a very sunny Monday morning in Dun Laoghaire marina, some of BlueFlyer crew began their five day intensive training with Captain John Leahy. Hugh, Val, Jeanine, Martin and Dáire all got themselves in a knot, early Monday. We spent the first half of the day covering some basic theory, with knots, navigation, tides, and getting to know our way around this fantastic Jeanneau. Just after noon the crew took her out of the harbour down the Dalkey sound, and we had a demonstration on anchoring, just in front of Sorrento Terrace, where Val displayed her culinary skill and produces the first of most wonderful luncheons, and has set the standard for future BlueFlyer chefs. During the afternoon the wind died significantly, and we ended up motoring back into the harbour just before 6pm.

Tuesday morning we were back on the marina for 10 am, and continued some theory before heading across the bay, around the Bailey lighthouse into Howth Head for lunch in the marina. After confirming our mooring space for Wednesday night we headed back out through Howth harbour into Dublin bay. With some close guidance from John, and some demonstration of cardinal buoys we sailed into Dublin harbour and docked at Poolbeg marina, patiently awaiting our 7pm window for the lifting of the EastLink bridge. After only a few minutes in Poolbeg, Dublin port called us in through the bridge. BlueFlyer stopped Dublin traffic just after 18.25 and we sailed up the river Liffey onto our Docklands mooring. The hungry sailors tucked into their haddock and chips before having a few pints of ale and porter, and finally getting the head down after a good days sailing on a superb Dublin summer evening.

Wednesday morning, the south easterly wind had picked up, after a new wet front had descended upon us. Our weather had changed drastically and the wind had picked up somewhat. We headed back out into Dublin bay, and once again around the Bailey on Howth head, where we had some typically large Irish sea rollers. The weather was getting pretty bad at this stage, and we came around Irelands' eye into Howth harbour, where we had a tutorial from our sea able mentor on cloud formation, and the basics of watching the weather. The crew had a break in the afternoon, where some shopping for the neverending bellied crew was done. Wednesday night is race night in Howth and we were kindly hosted on Liam Lawlor's, Arctic Fox. The weather had cleared and it was turning out to be a fantastic evening with enough wind for a decent race to take place. The almost competent crew served well as ballast and we managed a fourth in the race, after which the days sailing was discussed in depth in the club bar, over dinner.

Thursday morning we left Howth behind for some more manoeuvres in Dun Laoghaire harbour, and practiced our gybes and tacking, and practiced a heave to. We had a night off on Thursday night.

Friday was a great day for sailing, Val practiced parking BlueFlyer, and we headed out towards Kish lighthouse after taking in the sight of the 'Tenacious' tall ship which was moored in Scotsman's bay. The 'Tenacious' was making its way into Dublin port for the maritime festival. A thick fog descended upon us as we navigated our way almost blind, towards Bray for lunch on board. We headed back towards DunLaoghaire to end our weeks training on BlueFlyer. Jeanine, Martin and Daire had now become Competent Crew, Val and Hugh had built on their experience.