Popular Post mike farrants Posted June 2, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted June 2, 2023 (edited) Had the in-laws down for the BH weekend and due to the fresh easterlies only Sunday looked any good - and that was a bit iffy = Sundays forecast was 10mph NE and dropping off to nothing in the late afternoon - Got to the boat at 9am and she wouldn't start - the Battery isolator i have occasionally flicks back/off when you draw power to start the engine and you have to hold it while you crank - luckily i'd had the hindsight to order another one and had it with me - so a slight delay of 15mins and we were away with new isolator fitted. by the time we got out the harbour it felt more like 10-15mph and Easterly - which is no good for us - so it was a bit lumpy in the morning - we were hunting mackerel anyway so headed for the shelter of Portland harbours North entrance. It was glorious inside, but bumpy as we set our drift on the outside of the entrances. During our time here we heard a radio message from a boat at the 3rd entrance (south) that had engine trouble and required a tow back to weymouth - the Portland harbour master quickly radioed back saying they were on their way to assist. Fishing was slow going - I had one Tub Gurnard at the fist entrance, Phil had nothing - after an hour of this we moved up to the 2nd entrance. On our way up to the next entrance we heard a boat issue a PAN PAN, it was a boat with engine trouble requiring a tow back to weymouth (hmmm) - stating they weren't in immediate danger as they were safely moored - location just under the lighthouse at portlands east (2nd) entrance - they were literally 200yd ahead of us on what looked like a mooring bouy situated above a divers wreck - we 'steamed' over at 6knots and were the first on scene - family of 3 safely moored but no engine - apparently the Portland harbour master had dropped them there, while they rang Sea Start - apparently sea start weren't able to help as their engineer was ill or something. so they required a tow - seeing as I was on scene before they had even finished their Pan message we decided to wait it out with them to see if anyone more suitable to tow would arrive - within 5 mins 2 more boats turned up - one a large rib with twin 200s on the back - they seemed way more suited to the task so we let them tow them back and went about our day. (after getting a very enthusiastic complement about how lovely my boat is from the 3rd chap that offered assistance) we drifted the 2nd entrance and phil had a mackerel - time now getting on and the wind dropping off we made the 20 min steam out to our mark to drop the anchor - still a bit lumpy on occasion but improving all the time. It ended up a lovely afternoon at anchor - i was fishing small baits hoping for Bream for the BBQ, phil on the big stuff - phil totally out fished me - he had 2x thornies, a smooth hound and a run of dogs to keep him happy - i had just 2x spider crabs. lovely day with lots going on! Edited June 2, 2023 by mike farrants Geoff, mick, daio web and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Nice day out! Had a similar thing happen last time out, a boat's engine failed about a mile from us and they had anchored 200m off the beach. However there was fog, the beach is close to rock scars and the local lifeboat station was half way between us and them so we left it to the pros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daio web Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 great report mike keep doing what you enjoy best mate boat has to be in top shape no service staitions out there mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Ooh, that spider looks good. Must have been well in size. Did you keep it for the pot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike farrants Posted June 4, 2023 Author Share Posted June 4, 2023 Have to avoid shellfish sadly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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