Sailing Camp May 2006.
Brightlingsea
On the May bank holiday early this year the Sea Scouts set out on their first sailing camp of the year. We all met up at our Sudbury Headquarters on the Friday evening, some of the leaders had already been very busy moving the sailing dinghies in to position at Brightlingsea sailing club during the week.
We were soon loaded up and everyone headed over to Brightlingsea, the Sea Scouts, along with their leaders and helpers, camped at the Lakeside camping and caravan site next door to the sailing club in Brightlingsea. On a very well kept camp site they pitched the tents before going to help getting the boats stored for the evening .
The Saturday started early after having breakfast and making the lunches for the day we all went over to the sailing club and finished getting the dinghies ready for the days sailing. At the same time as the dinghies were being prepared the crew’s for our safety boats were getting ready to launch. We had two safety boats over the weekend our own rib Johnny Rescue and a 2nd rib on loan to us from 17th Colchester Scout Group, both boat’s were launched from the park and ride in Brightlingsea.
The sailing dinghies launched about ½ hour later into a strong tide and bad weather, in all we had six boats on the water and it was not long before the safety boats were called in to action. The introduction of the topaz boats proved to be quite interesting with the crews needing to be towed out of the creak and into the main river. Once all our boats were away, the safety boats worked very hard to keep the group together and safe. We sailed from 10.30 in heavy rain and strong winds. The safety boats changed the crews on the sailing dinghies throughout the day and by 15.00 hrs we decided to call it a day - everyone was cold, wet and hungry ! We returned to camp to have hot drinks and a late lunch.
Forty Winks, Chief and a Topaz
Safety Boat Crews, Nick, Jeff and Tracy (Jubilee) Sammy and Rob (Johny Rescue)
Nick Powell (RYA Sailing Instructor)