The dangers of multi-tasking

Confession of the Month

By Willie Banks Rupert and I decided that early February would be an ideal time for a few days’ sailing to test ourselves and Vega Nova, my Oyster 45. We sailed out of Brixham in 30 knots of wind but only got as far as Dartmouth before Storm Doris hit. Our fenders were flattened against the pontoon overnight, but in the next two days we went on to Plymouth and Fowey in some testing conditions. Vega Nova behaved beautifully and we really enjoyed ourselves. We never saw another yacht.

On the return trip from Fowey to Plymouth the wind was up to 30 knots, with horizontal rain. We arrived at Plymouth we were very wet and cold. I put the autopilot on as we approached Sutton Harbour Lock to help put out some fenders. The wind was behind us and I suddenly realised we were heading for the imovable mass of the concrete harbour wall. I dived for the controls and tripped. Falling headlong into the cockpit, I managed to hit the throttle on my way past, accelerating us to our doom. We were now going flat out, and though I managed to get into reverse, it was too late to prevent the sickening crunch.

There is a ‘crumple zone’ on an Oyster and it involves the anchor, bow roller and pulpit. Thankfully, athough my pride, body and wallet were all a bit bruised and battered, no one was hurt and no serious damage done. The lock keeper was surprised that I had managed to miss the open lock, and I have learned a lesson: Men should not try to multi-task!