BroadAmbition

It must be the cynic in me that wonders if they even tried for a lift in the morning rush hour. I seem to have the same cynical thoughts. Thing is 1615 isn't in the rush hour that normally commences at 1700-ish doesn't it? Not opening in case emergency vehicles are inconvenienced does not hold any water (Pun intended) either as the same emergency vehicles would be inconvenienced no matter what time of day. However it was the bridge control that suggested the time of 0730 on the Wednesday. It was also the same bridge control that gave Robin the 1615 time on the Tuesday that we battled to comply with and made it - just Griff

I think Robin did mention that when they tried for the lift earlier next morning it failed,. They made no attempt to lift Haven at 0730 despite promising they would do so the night before Griff

I hope that Robin and Griff, when they have had time to catch their breath, will be making their feelings known to Peel Ports? I hope so. Tis already done. I chased around Tuesday afternoon to get hold of the top honcho at Peel Ports in GYA - His communications with me to date have proved promising and I await his findings. I can of course comment on this thread about the subject matter but not about what I have emailed to Peel Ports Gya. I wrote a fully detailed report then finished it of with a list of questions, discussed the same then with Robin. I emailed said document off last night at 2330 and got two further replies around midnight - Impressed Griff

Well done ZimbilV and what a kind offer - I'm sure he'll accept Griff

going north to Selby tomorrow morning, you local at dinner time 1 ish Sorry Geof during working hours working days, its a no no other than a sarnie and cup of tea etc. Tomorrow I am working on the housing estate of what we did know as RAF Finningley Griff

3 tanks.. 2405 each...........7215 OUCH No, Sorry but I didn't make mysen clear there. Port and Stbd tanks, 1000 x Ltrs each, centre tank 405 x Ltrs, combined total 2405 x Ltrs, or 2:4 tonnes of diesel Griff

Anyttme, anyplace anywhere, on the understanding I buy you one back Griff

I have a question..... if topping up independence was 2,909 litres at a cost of £2,835, how much would it have been if the tanks were empty !!! Dry tanks - It would take 2405 litres to fill them, give or take the odd ten litres for fuel lines, manifolds, filters etc Griff

Amendment The amount of diesel I posted earlier is incorrect. Having discussed it with Robin, I was told the amount in cost of the Brooms fill up not the amount in Litres (Not by Robin) so a mistake, an honest one but still a mistake. . Therefore can a pesky mod alter the figures in my earlier post to:- Brooms 1123 x Ltrs Total 2'909 Thanks, Griff

She is safely on her mooring now btw Griff

Ok then, I'll post this up on Robins behalf as he is somewhat busy at present. Sailed from Plymouth on Friday morning the 02nd Feb with brimmed tanks - 2405 x Ltrs Friday evening at Ramsgate - Took onboard 839 x Ltrs Sunday morning at Brighton - Took onboard 947 x Ltrs Monday afternoon at Brooms - Took onboard 1123 x Ltrs Grand total = 2909 Litres That for 2 x main engines at 500hp each and the 50hp generator (Which was not running 24/7, used shore power when alongside) Griff

Independence has now completed at Brooms taking on fuel. She will be shortly moving to her new mooring. The AIS now disabled. So apart from getting her alongside Robin and Independence are now at their new home. Thank goodness for that! Some adventure eh? Griff

Letting go lines now. Apparently Bridge is lifting for pilot boat so Indy can go through as well Griff

Emergency vehicles would have the same issue no matter what time of day the Bridge lifts Anyroadup I have been on to the bridge control and they now hope to open Haven Bridge at 1015 fingers crossed. AIS will be enabled just before Oh and BTW I’m not onboard but in Donny at work Griff

Team Indy - All home safe,. I walked in at 0130 to have our Macie dog go bonkers as per the norm. It's snowing here good and proper and settling too so another cold morning to look forward to. Back down to earth with a crash, stripping out a shower room in just over 6 x Hrs, I'm so tired it will have to be a shower in t morning. Clay shooting Wednesday evening. Did the adventure really happen? Remind me not to move anyone's boat from anywhere to anywhere at sea ever again unless it is in the summer in sunny calm seas with nowt more then a zephyr, let alone a gentle breeze Thanks again for all your comments / best wishes, proper humbling Griff

We think the whole trip was around 320nm to Haven Bridge Griff

No Wetherspoons or pints for me tonight, or the rest of the team either. Too knackered. Snacks onboard, tidy up. Then drive home Griff

Well, as you are all aware, we are here. I ache everywhere. 1). Haven bridge operates are covering / waffling - I call it LYING and I’ll explain why later 2). We got alongside Town House Quay for 1600 after a hell of a lot of stress, pushing ourselves and Indy to do it, all that way from Dover Marina to Haven Bridge 96nm in the worst seas since Plymouth - well chuffed 3). Robin onboard, met us on arrival 4) Me and Howard sorted out 240v - now all to the good 5). Thank you one and all that have offered encouragement / complements to Team Indy it’s appreciated 6). A thanks from me to team Indy, you were great 7). Big thanks to Robin for allowing me to skipper Indy - a great privalige and honour My boy Dale will be here sometime this evening to drive me, Howard, Brian, and Wizard Home. Work for us in t morning Personally - (I will do a proper write up and reply to your posts I due course). I am so disappointed that team Indy do not get to take her over Breydon up the Yare to Brundall. Out of the whole trip that was the one leg I was really looking forward too, the icing on the cake, the reward if you like, the chance is now gone, never to be repeated. Four day terrible sea trip plus a maintenance weekend with all that entailed, just for the prize to be cruelly snatched away right at the death. Gutted Anyroadup, I wish Robin and volunteers a great trip tomorrow. Griff

Now we’re flying. 2500rpm on all three tanks which is exilerating but a bit tiring on our legs Griff

Back down to 4 crew. It was a brief appearance Griff

Back up to 5 crew. Conditions improving. Lots of fluid intakes. Zig zags in Dover harbour was me on helm waiting for a ferry to enter still can’t open her up anymore due to sea state. I’m very mindful Indy is white and not grey but she is handling it well Griff

Just approaching Sizewell B. Could do with some of their 240v Griff

Sorry for no updates. Had my hands full. Proper rough seas earlier, still somewhat of a nuisance now but improved to about yesterday’s level. 5 crew onboard, 1 completely out of it, 2 more were sick earlier but have recovered and now operational again. Auto pilot packed up hours ago so manual helming. Generator not delivering 240v either so no dongle AIS or backup electronics. No chuffin kettle - if I was brave enough Have been making poor progress due to having to back off. Now up to SOG 9knt+ on the limit for current conditions. Could not film earlier too rough When I get home I will sleep for a week - oops - work stops that one Griff

Night Navvibg. Sea state - well I’ve had it better. Had to play around with fuel balancing again- sorted. Can’t make owt more than 9kts due to sea state Griff

Underway at 0500 Griff