Jump to: June(Hoyle bank)
Tuesday 19 June (Liverpool HW 8.0m, 10:50; LW 2.4m, 16.44; HW 7.8m 22.24 ).
A good forecast - light NE winds, so good for a visit to the seals - and to check Marlin's hull.
Enter river from marina at 12:00, only boat. Passing the cruise terminal, a funny-looking ship was moored. This was Vox Alexia - a LPG-powered trailing suction hopper dredger. The LPG power is considered more "eco-friendly" than marine oil - which has nasty particulate emissions. She was outward bound soon afterwards - and overtook me in the river.
View of Pier Head.
Vox Alexia
Pass New Brighton at 12.35, and proceed out by the Rock Channel. The racing Mark CHIP is in place - a round white buoy. Cross the North Bank after reaching my waypoint CORNER, and head for HE2. Least depth 1.5m under my keel crossing North Bank.
Head into Hibre Swash and round Hilbre Point (at 2:10) to the Hoyle Bank (near He4 buoy).
The seals were lying in large numbers on the Bank:
My plan was to take the ground in a sheltered spot with firm sand
around 2 hours before LW - so that I could get back to Liverpool in
time for first lock. Also far enough from the seals so as not
to disturb them. So aground 2:30. Position 53 22.033N, 3 14.183W.
Time to check the hull, renew the anode, and have a siesta.
The channel running along the south side of the Hoyle Bank seems to be much
less prominent than in previous years and has now little depth.
Nice new anode.
Refloat at 5:55, with anchor set to keep me in position. I was surprised to hear a voice - a small inshore fishing boat [registered, 2 outboard motors] came close to ask if I was OK. Thanks - yes. He was after prawns and flatties.
Chug back the way I came - reaching Liverpool Marina at 8:15. Two Windfarm boats were waiting to come in, Wildcat 3 and 6, and they rather fill the lock, so I offered to squeeze between them, which was accepted. A few other boats had to wait for the second lock-in.
Mostly at tick-over so not much fuel used.
If higher resolution versions of the above images are wanted, please contact me. All information given in good faith, but please do not rely on it.
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