Tributes paid to venerable navigator, seaman and YM writer Dag Pike
Seasoned navigator, seaman and marine journalist Dag Pike, who was a contributor to Yachting Monthly for decades, passed away on 29 May 2021, aged 88.
With over 65 years experience in ships, sail and powerboats and the author of more than 40 nautical books, Dag Pike was one of the most respected seamen in the UK.
He was perhaps best known for his record breaking Atlantic crossing with Sir Richard Branson and Sir Chay Blyth on Virgin Atlantic Challenger II in 1986. Dag was the navigator on board the successful 1986 attempt and was involved in the failed 1985 attempt, which saw Virgin Atlantic Challenger I sink just off the Bishop Rock Lighthouse.
Sir Chay said Dag’s navigation skills during the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II record attempt stood out.
‘Our hearts only jumped once with his navigation! Close to the Isles of Scilly, we picked up the racon beacon on our navigation instruments, it was a big sigh of relief. It was short lived. As we closed the islands, the racon went off the screen! We thought the nav systems had gone down, however, a few minutes later the beacon was on the screen flashing away. Dag had delivered on a job very well done.’
Dag participated in several long distance record attempts including six
Atlantic record attempts, and was involved in the design of cockpits and dashboards for high speed boats, including the first RIB in 1964.
Born on 28 January 1933 in Surrey, Dag Pike first went to sea aged 16 on tramp ships. By the age of 21 he had already circumnavigated the world several times in the Merchant Navy.
By 29, he was the youngest Trinity House lighthouse tender captain before becoming an Inspector Of Lifeboats for the RNLI.
He was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation, a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology, an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society.
An accomplished author, Dag published his first book – Powerboats in Rough Seas – in 1974.
He went on to write over 40 more titles ranging from navigation and disasters at sea to weather analysis and cruising guides.
For decades, he regularly contributed to Yachting Monthly, writing technical and cruising articles. He leaves behind his wife, Cath.