St Katherines Dock London ~ May 2012
There were 32 avid boaters ready to descend upon St Katharine’s Dock Marina in London but we ended up with 23 boats. Unfortunately because of the severe rains prior the non -tidal Thames was so high that not one boat could leave their home berth because of strong currents and low air drafts. I heard the non-tidal Thames was even flowing up to 7 knots which made entering a Lock unthinkable
However, Wednesday 2nd May was the 1st flotilla to depart the Solent for London. A 3 day leg being to Ramsgate, Chatham and finally St Katharine’s Dock. 9 boats set of from the Solent for a superb run up to Ramsgate for the 1st nights leg. The skippers did prefer to find the ale before finding the fuel at Ramsgate, but then after 7 hours behind the helm I couldn’t blame them ! A superb meal for skippers and crew was enjoyed overlooking the marina. Early start on Thursday to ensure all the boats were re-fuelled and engine checks concluded before departure for Chatham. The lead boat “Victoria” needed to be in Ipswich the same day to rendezvous with the North coast participants already there. A departure from Ramsgate was tried by all skippers but force 7 conditions and the notorious North Foreland to negotiate? It was soon a shout on the VHF that we should all turn back to Ramsgate as the 9 feet waves almost a beam were not to be contended with.
Some returned and stayed another night in Ramsgate until the next morning, but Victoria carried on to Ipswich – soon to be asked permission by a couple of boats for an escort to North foreland so they could carry on to Chatham. Fortunately, when they had rounded North foreland which is a short distance from Ramsgate the seas were behind them and waves now down to 1 foot which made a safe comfortable passage to Chatham.
Victoria carried on to Ipswich at a slow 11 knots and arrived to greet the participants from the East Coast as far away as Reedham, Lowestoft and Brundal. A skippers briefing concluded for these guys followed by a superb dinner with Bill Griffiths the M.D. for Sealine and an early night. Bill had arrived at Ipswich to take a new C48 to St Katherine’s and to share the adventure with us all.
Early rising saw 10 boats and crew depart Ipswich Lock at 05.00 a.m. to catch the flood tide up to London. En-route we were to rendezvous with the Ramsgate fleet and the Chatham fleet opposite Sheerness. Now all the previous month’s planning should orchestrate into order as all 3 fleets descend upon our rendezvous point. Voilà, all 22 Boats managed to rendezvous opposite Sheerness to later be escorted by “HMS Ocean” the Royal Navy’s largest vessel on her journey to Greenwich where she was moored to provide protection for the forthcoming Jubilee celebrations and her exercises in “Olympic Guardian”. A superb ambience and history of the River Thames whilst navigating up to London was enjoyed by all slow speed and no passing of HMS Ocean still allowed us to arrive at St Katherine’s Dock for near high tide. Once into the marina basin at St Katharine’s dock an evening reception for all participants was held by Sealine International at The Living Room Bar & Restaurant. Dancing into the early hours saw early risers the next morning for a venture over Tower Bridge to the famous Borough Market for the compulsory bacon sandwiches for breakfast.
The Saturday was followed by a venture into the Bentley Showroom in Berkley Square to explore their range of cars whilst some continued onto the shopping spree and theatre journeys. Sunday was the local Go Karting “Sealine Challenge Cup” Race. There were many trying hard to win this Challenge Cup which meant many heats and plenty of peddle to the metal fun. The go karting was in electric go karts as the venue was an indoor centre, but what was amazing was we were racing up and down on two levels!!
Monday was departure day for most to cruise back to their home ports. Fortunately, good weather permitted these participants to enjoy their journey home.