We had an early pen out of Ocean Lock Friday morning. It was on top of the spring tides and due to a lot of fresh water coming down the Ouse, the river was littered with debris. We were also aware that UKD Seahorse was dredging in the Hull Marina entrance until 10am. This meant there was no rush for us to get there, however we did decide to plane when a large coaster which had penned out of Goole after us was hot on our tail at The Apex. Passing Whitton Island, a yacht called us on the VHF requesting assistance to tow him off as he had grounded....well out of the channel. We advised we were unprepared to assist in this instance, as the tide was now ebbing and he had gone aground at high water. Bearing in mind the tides would now be dropping off, we didn't want to risk grounding ourselves, and requested he contact VTS for Humber Rescue to assist with a tow. The skipper of said yacht understood our decision, but we never heard him call VTS. We presume either our wash or the ship's wash may have freed him. We were soon back on the plane to test the engines for sea, but reduced speed again at Lower Whitton and made Hull just as the dredger had completed his works.
We spent two nights in Hull Marina waiting for the breeze to die down, penning out early Sunday morning to head to Wells.
It was very busy in the lower Humber with shipping movements, and with the wash from the pilot and wind farm boats it wasn't a particularly smooth ride. Once out at sea we kept close to the Lincolnshire Coast which was a lot calmer, but crossing The Wash it chopped up once again. Wells next the Sea, as ever, was a great sight to see after an arduous trip. We can now relax, as at the moment we have no other plans other than having a lazy relaxing holiday.
We have heard the term 'silver season' described for this time of year, as retired folk can enjoy a quiet holiday once schools have reopened. Time will tell if this will feel odd to us.
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