Alderney Marine

The Alderney Journal's
Harbour Life Column
by Martin Smith
harbourlife@alderneymarine.com

Issue 951 - Late August

This is my 20^th column for Harbour Life and one that marks a number of changes, not least is that our business in the inner harbour is relocating. While I cant say too much about where we are moving to, I can say that we will continue to offer marine services as well as outdoors clothing and equipment. Keep an eye on our web site at www.alderneymarine.com for our usual supply of local and nautical news and information.

One of the more contentious issues that I have written about over the last 20 issues has resurfaced – the much discussed Braye Marina. The States announced in July that they have made a decision, there will be a marina and they would like it to be started as soon as possible. States Members gave prospective developers just 5 weeks in which to submit their proposals for a 300-berth facility, as far as I have been able to tell there are no guidelines other than varying reports in the papers. The last thing I heard was that surveyors spent time looking closely at the Blacksmith’s corner at the base of the breakwater and adjacent to the inner harbour, perhaps a developer has already been given the heads up; more likely is that the open invitation is a genuine show of transparency.

Whoever the successful developer turns out to be will have their work cut out for them: Finalising plans and preparing studies in support of domestic and visitor markets, carrying out surveys, conducting environmental impact assessments and the list goes on. States Members would like to see work commence in Spring 2011, but no indication has been given of how long they anticipate the works to go on for. Lets hope the process keeps up momentum and the successful applicant does not find too many obstacles, it would be a real asset for the harbour and a much needed boost all round.

Regular Alderney Week contributors, The Signals, have been working hard around the harbour: Repainting the cannon, clearing the lodge ready for the Maritime Trust to make us of the building for their work on the Elizabethan Wreck. The Signals also gave an excellent account of themselves in the Manpowered Flight competition and ran a very real risk of actually flying! Alderney Week’s harbour events all went extremely well and the weather was kinder than last year, Ronnie and his team did an amazing job of being in several places at once.

The weather looks great for the last two weeks of August, with only weak low pressures coming in from the North Atlantic to spoil the delightfully long, hot, clear, dry days. I know, we will believe it when we see it!

Issue 950 - Early August

Alderney has once again been host to a hardy group of nautical fanatics, following a well received first visit last year the RIB.net rally looks set to make it a regular event to mark the start of summer. Boaters gathered from as far a field as Leister and Saint Malo, mostly in rigid inflatable boats (R.I.B.s) but motor cruisers also tagged along. Of particular note was the return visit of the jetskier that came last year and who once again braved a channel crossing that many big-boat owners shy away from.

The weather treated the visitors kindly and they arrived from mid morning through to lunchtime, the Sailing Club opened its doors and they all gathered to swap tales and catch up from the last time many had met up – last year. There were some new faces as well as returning familiar ones, after the event last year several came back through the course of the season either in smaller groups or as single boats.

On Saturday most of them climbed aboard once more, despite being a little saddle-sore and sun burnt. As a group (just the RIBs this time) they took off around the island, running out as far as Casquettes before finishing the circuit. Alderney is legendary for the tranquillity ashore but it is equally famous for the turbulent waters all around, the latter thrilled the visitors but by the time lunch approached they were all ready to enjoy the peace and quite on dry land.

Sunday saw a very enjoyable trip to Diellete, which the Jersey boats took as a steppingstone on their way home that afternoon. There was fog about and the two large boats kept the jetski company as they slowly tracked back across the shipping lanes until the visibility cleared. Two other boats left just before lunchtime, bound for Dartmouth. On Monday the last two visiting boats headed off to Guernsey and then for a night on Sark before making their own way back to their home-ports.

Rallies like this one are great fun and bring people to the island that might otherwise not make the journey on their own, once visited Alderney becomes a firm favourite (sometimes for generations!) and with air links becoming increasingly expensive people travelling under their own power are going to be increasingly vital. This group are organised on the English side by my colleague and fellow RYA Instructor, Tim Griffin, who actively encourages his pupils to join him on rallies here.

Alas the good weather that graced the end of July is set to slip a little toward the end of Alderney week, there are a system of low pressures that will bring some rain showers and the clouds that deliver them. The longer range forecast is not any more encouraging but one thing is certain, when the clouds break up and the wind drops it will still be warm; I just hope the balance favours the sun.

Issue 949 - Late July

Has the Tyne moved? Not the famously foggy river in Newcastle, but the cargo steamer the SS Tyne that ran aground in 1912 after loading with rock at Chicago Pier. Regular readers will recall that the Alderney Seabed Video Survey found an uncharted wreck as part of the regular monitoring that we carry out every season, the wreck has now been explored for the first time and typically more questions have been found than answers.

The Tyne is recorded as resting on Bonit rock, but this more recent discovery is quite a bit further out into open water than Bonit. It looks like the right kind of boat though, steam powered with a cargo of train wheels, cables and mill or press stones. The wreck measures around 150 feet in length and there seem to be remains of a mast, like the Tyne’s, and a wheelhouse.

Of course the waters to the south of the island are famous for their ferocious tides, which make for interesting diving conditions. The tidal flow there is a never-ending sequence of rapid ebbs and floods with looping and erratic slack water than never really slows to much less than one knot.

We have been talking to members of the Alderney Dive Club about the wreck and other projects and we hope that by attracting a dive instructor to the organisation diving can flourish again as a leisure activity around the island. There are plenty of clubs from near and far that would dearly love to visit and experience the conditions that help make Alderney so special.

Sticking with that side of the island, it was good to see the Old Barn open once again. I spoke briefly to the new owners about local produce, they were keen to assure me that sourcing the wonderful ingredients that the island has to offer is a high priority.

I am delighted to report that the proposed cleaning up of Longis beach has taken a small step forward, with the States now wanting to look at the options for improving the islands only south facing sandy beach. Guernsey States are also showing interest in cleaner beaches and have asked for information on how to go about this.

The weather in early July has been nothing short of magnificent: Still, warm and an occasional breeze or rain shower. The good news is that this is set to continue for the rest of the month. There will be a risk of occasional showers, just enough to be good for the garden and unlikely to put anyone off their boating. Fog is of course always likely and the promise of an occasional gust of wind will not be a match for it, so when you do head out onto the water make sure your charts are up to date and equipment in good order.

Issue 948 - Early July

I have been having an experiment with other forms of transport, and I have to say that boats are coming out on top. After a very pleasing trip across the Channel to Dartmouth I hurled myself at the mercy of the English train network, or series thereof, with only some success. The boating part was great, the series of high pressures that we saw in the middle of June made for a very warm and settled few days; the sailors were as happy as the motor boaters as there was generally just enough of a breeze to get all the canvas up. I can highly recommend Dartmouth as a convenient destination; at just 63 miles away it is a couple of hours by RIB or a day by sail. The river is a delight, with a wide and extremely pretty opening into the channel. Without the aid of the almanac I managed to spot two fuel berths and found visitor’s moorings on a pontoon, of course there is an ulterior motive for encouraging you to visit – if you get talking to the locals then I am sure they could be convinced to return the favour and take that same 63 mile journey southeast.

My next stop was much further east, just past the Isle of Wight lies Chichester Harbour. At the entrance is Hayling Island Sailing Club, many of whose members are regular visitors to Alderney. A really welcoming spot, there is more to see in the harbour than I can possibly list here. The club has world-class facilities and is even hosting major events like the Laser world championships, you can pick up a visitor’s mooring and there is a ferry service all weekend long. There are showers, a bar and restaurant, in the bar (great views) you will almost certainly find a local that knows Alderney, if you don’t then here again we have a great chance to enlighten our English counterparts.

On to far more serious matters, the States fisheries meeting was held on the 24^th and was very well attended indeed “standing room only”. The items discussed will be covered elsewhere in this issue, but on a personal level I am glad to see the States holding well-publicised and open meetings on such vital topics.

The weather looks set to stay clear and settled for the most part, though there is still a risk of thundery rain. There should be a steady supply of high pressures coming in, bringing with them light winds from the west and southwest. Gardeners need not worry too much though, as rain seems likely throughout July in the form of summer showers and of course that occasional clap of thunder might be heard.

Issue 947 - Late June

We were out in the Race at the start of June, helping out with the ongoing research project to study the life and habitats of Alderney’s seabed. It was a pleasant day but we were aware of some concern unfolding around the other side of the island – a group of sea kayakers had left Sark bound for Braye but had over-run and started to catch the ebbing tide near Ortac. A couple of charter angling boats were in the area and the paddlers were checked on and found to be finding it hard work but okay, they pressed on and arrived after pushing the tide all the way through the Swinge and over the sunken breakwater for a stay at the campsite. Over all they spent a good few days paddling around the entire Bailiwick and have written their trip up on a website, well worth a read and admire some great photos of our local waters: southwestseakayaking.co.uk

Bailiwick fishermen are expressing grave concerns at the recent activity by scallop dredgers working the area, Frank Hallam from Guernsey told reporters “They have literally wiped out the stocks where I fish. Probably five years' fishing gone in six weeks and there's nothing we can do about it.” Guernsey Sea Fisheries patrols have been keeping a close eye on the boats since the end of April; they have boarded a number of boats with a total of eight believed to have been operating large-scale dredging. One boarding yielded an unusual Red Scorpionfish, Scorpaena scrofa, which are thought to be on the increase in Channel Island and Southwest UK waters.

The Sailing Club’s finish post markers went up this week, all ready for the first race of the season – The JOG Cowes to Alderney run. The marks are up at Fort Albert and line up with the tip of the breakwater, race officials have been known to set up camp on the hill to be in the just the right spot for the “photo finish” of two yachts vying for a nose at the end of an 80 mile challenge.

The May meeting of the General Services Committee received a report that only one suggestion was made for the new layout to the harbour, once Geomarine have vacated their site in between the boat park and the quay. It is a shame that suggestions for a covered area for events and concerns about parking and Braye Street did not reach the advisory group. At the same meeting The Committee also agreed to Corblet’s quarry being stocked with carp and to issue fishing licenses.

The weather for the end of the month and into early July looks set to continue the mixed-bag theme that we have seen so far this year, warm and calm conditions are likely to move up from the continent at the end of June but could well be followed by thundery conditions later on.

Issue 946 - Early June

Traditionally this column rounds off with the weather, but I can barely contain my amazement at two points: How different May’s days can be and how accurate my humble forecast can be! A mixed bag seems to be the best way to describe the varied assortment of temperatures and winds that awaited us at the end of the month, the only thing missing was a good fall of rain (though I believe Guernsey got the entire Bailiwick’s share in one day). From bright sunshine that resulted in more than one case of embarrassing sunburn, to fog that while not freezing was enough to drive many back to long trousers and woolly jumpers. Read on for my predictions for June, but I rather suspect my weather forecasting skills have been all used up for the year.

As well as a varied time with the hot and cold elements work in the harbour has been interesting too, the local boat Pelican Pip sunk and a visiting jetskiier ran aground and went home leaving us to salvage and repair his stricken watercraft. Pelican Pip had just arrived back from winter in Guernsey and had been on her mooring for just one night when the owners noticed she looked a bit heavy in the water, a very wise trip out to check revealed a serious amount of water in the engine compartment so an emergency crane out was organised by the harbour staff.

The issue of the fisheries legislation continues to be a hot talking point, rumour has it that an open meeting is imminent and like many I am hopeful that the chairman of the meeting finds some common ground for this vital issue.

Sticking with harbour matters, the mooring buoys are all but in and I definitely saw a bit of pontoon heading down the road toward it’s new home. Ballast has been added to the corner section (the one where the lifeboat tender lives) to get it to sit right in the water, the main sections are looking good and wooden fendering has been added all round. It was hard to resist a smile seeing that within hours, minutes perhaps, of the first piece being put in it was already surrounded by as many tenders as could fit.

Visitors to St Peter Port should note that the harbour patrols have taken a new line with their dinghy pontoon, in the past small RIBs and other inflatables have been allowed to tie up so long as it was only for a short trip ashore. Quite handy and I have always been grateful when directed to do just that by the patrolmen, but the new season has seen a tougher line on this and so if you visit at a time when the St Peter Port water taxi is not running then a tender is absolutely vital for anyone hoping to get into town.

Early June could bring some proper summery weather, with high pressure keeping the skies clear and the winds low. Keep a close eye on the short-range forecasts though, we have a good one on our site at www.alderneymarine.com/info, as mid June looks like it might hold a very wet and windy sting in it’s tail – anyone for a monsoon?

Issue 945 - Late May

Where to begin, the middle of May has left me wondering if Alderney had been over run by manic action-movie directors. There have been Royal Navy helicopters, extra lifeboats, dramatic weather, great feats of daring with precarious precious cargo containers.

The ‘Victor Hugo’ ferry made her fist visit to the island since the unpleasant incident with some rocks last year, she is shown pictured being carefully watched over by a matched pair of lifeboats giving rise to the thought that the skipper needed some reassurances. In reality the second lifeboat is a replacement, which will be used while Alderney’s own ‘Roy Barker 1’ goes off to Ireland for an engine overhaul.

The Lifeboat crew had a good shakedown right in the middle of one of the northeasterly blows, an RAF Rescue Helicopter visited the harbour and the team made good use with some winching practise. Lots of people walked down to the breakwater to see the goings on, those “paraffin budgies” do draw a crowd.

We also had our first cruise ship of the season the ‘Ocean Nova’, sadly though the decision was made not to use the new quay and instead the elderly passengers were invited on a trip across Braye Bay by large black rubber boat. More James Bond than Saga, but I am sure they enjoyed the experience and there were several boat loads who came ashore to enjoy all that Alderney has to offer.

The quay was none the less the scene of a gripping and perhaps even death defying set of circumstances recently though, the ‘Huelin Dispatch’ made an unusual stop off to deliver just one container. Just as the twenty-foot steel box was being unloaded the harbour crane broke down, leaving the goods balanced between ship and quay. Swift decisive action ensued and with a firm grasp of physics, in particular the pendulum action of a large weight on the end of a chain, the container was swung onto the quay by the Dispatch’s own cranes. All credit to the stevedores and harbour staff, by the time I would have drunk enough tea to come up with such a solution the tide would have gone and come back again.

The lifeboat crew had a real call out in the middle of May, a French RIB leaving Alderney struck the rocks just at the harbour entrance and two of the people aboard were flung into the water. Even though the call came after midnight the lifeboat was on the scene within ten minutes and all aboard were taken to hospital before setting off again at first light.

At the time of writing the harbour moorings are full up, the wind has dropped and the sun is shining; the team that came together so hastily to get the moorings laid are still working away late into the evening. It is good to see visiting boats made fast in Braye, but it was disappointing to see half a dozen passing through and on to Saint Peter Port, hopefully they will call again and find room to tie up when they do.

We are of course at the mercy of the weather, rain for the reservoirs and sun for the visitors. Predictions are that the Atlantic door will open toward the end of May, it will turn milder as the flow comes in from the west or southwest, but at the expense of wind and rain, not what you would expect for late spring. It looks as if the weather continues to be unsettled for the remainder of the month, pressure on the low side with the emphasis on showers, perhaps merging into longer spells of rain at times. Warm where the spring sunshine is out, but cool beneath the clouds. Temperatures should rise in a few weeks though, as warmer continental air is drawn in a south to south-easterly drift. We can but hope!

Issue 944 - Early May

To backup the message on the Alderney Marine web site: Congratulations to Alderney Shipping for a great decision to start taking passengers onboard the Isis, any improved travel links have to be a good thing for the island and this is surely no exception. We have been toying with the idea of an “Isis Tracker”, which rather than being a mis-spelled savings fund would be a web link. We would then all to be able to instantly see the whereabouts one of our favourite cargo ships at any given moment. If you think this would be useful, do let me know and we will make it happen.

Things are still moving into gear for all the private boats in the harbour, with more and more being craned back in and the mooring buoys are starting to gather in numbers; waiting for locals and visitors alike to make good use. There have been some fair weather windows so far this spring, with boat owners taking advantage with trips to Guernsey and further affield. So much so, walking around St Peter Port we saw nearly as many familiar faces as there are in Braye!

The Maritime Trust have been given the use of Braye Lodge by the General Services Committee, the Trust are planning to use the space for storage. Their annual diving programme will be starting again soon but it is worth noting that the conserving of the artefacts is a big part of their work. The Committee also decided that from 2011 the laying of moorings would be a five-year contract, this year has seen delays and issues which arose when the contract was changed so a new tender process will take place. At the same meeting it was also agreed that Huelin Renouf should be allowed to bring their ship to Alderney via Guernsey, although no freight could be carried between the islands. Site Weld are still working hard on fabricating the new dinghy pontoon, over the last two years in went in either in mid-April or early May so the process is not as far behind as it sometimes seems.

Alderney Renewable Energy have been distributing a newsletter, like many we found this most welcome as even though we work next door to them the frantic comings and goings are often a mystery. Even though we help out with some of the seabed video surveys and have probably spent more time boggling at the rapid tides than perhaps we ought to, the process of breaking new ground and solving the world’s energy crisis is sometimes from another planet. No one could doubt that Alderney is at the forefront, perhaps even the leading edge.

Sticking with the theme of the elements, last issue’s long-range forecast was unusually accurate: Some bright days and some still days, but only few that are both at once was certainly true of the back end of April. Fingers crossed that this one turns out right, because there are some great systems of high pressures forming on the far side of the Atlantic. If they manage to make it across to us then the middle of May should be clear and still, I shall say no more for fear of putting a curse on some much needed boating weather.

Issue 943 - Late April

The harbour continues to show few signs of life in April, with sharp north east winds coming and going our would-be visiting yachts are choosing to tie up elsewhere. Even when the conditions are good they have found few buoys to attach to and the nice new dinghy pontoon still in the pre-launch countdown. Braye businesses, including ours, are missing the throughput of people that we would normally have enjoyed welcoming through the Easter holidays. The weather has played a nasty trick on air travellers too who already have to pay dearly for their fares, when in the middle of the month a high altitude ash cloud closed airports and grounded planes. Luckily for us inter-island flights were soon resumed, but even so we are all reminded of how vulnerable an island economy can be.

England’s boating community have been stirred up by a report published by their Government’s Department for Transport, who want to make vessel registration compulsory and to introduce an annual charge for doing so. It is not hard to see that this might well dovetail with the suggestion that the International Certificate of Competence could one day be the compulsory skipper’s qualification in UK and European waters.

A big talking point locally is some delicate legislation that is required to balance the needs of the leisure anglers with the commercial fishermen, both are an essential part of the island and both have strong views about how to manage the inshore fisheries. The General Services Committee have tasked the harbour office with organising a meeting for all concerned, the date is yet to be decided but you can be sure that it will be a master of diplomacy that successfully chairs the discussion.

The GSC really have been busy with the harbour part of their remit: The Marina Advisory Group have published a recommendation for how the commercial quay might be arranged once the construction and repair work is finished, it will then be up to the General Services Committee to make a decision taking public opinion into account. The suggestion is for the area currently used by Geomarine to be set aside for freight handling, to formalise the small car park by Maggies Bay and to move the yachtsmen’s showers to the west of the harbour; It will be interesting to note how the new shower block fits in with the replacement dinghy pontoon that is currently under construction. I am sure people will come forward, between now and the meeting in early May, with some suggestions on how best to fine-tune the Group’s proposals.

The weather for the end of April and the start of May looks likely to continue the theme of being mixed, with some bright days, some calm days but only a very few bright and calm ones! Low pressures continue to dominate the Atlantic with only a few highs to bring settled conditions from time to time.

Congratulations, once again, to Paul Skerritt who was the only entrant to correctly decipher my nautical quiz question. The three green lights show that the ship is engaged in mine clearance. Well-done Paul.

Unpublished column - Late March to Early April

March was a wet and wild month; luckily the highest winds did not quite combine with the highest tides of the year. There was still considerable disruption though, in the month that is a turning point for the harbour.

Ray Gaudion re-launched the Lulworth Fisher, with the help of some friends and after a long and all encompassing refit. A few other early birds have launched as well, including one of the islands largest local motorboats – Dewalkio. Conditions have been far from ideal, but a few sailing boats have visited and few locals have ventured out to the most nearby ports.

Mark, Adam, Brian and Tim all sprang to the aid of dinghies that were washed from the Sapper slipway in the stormy weather that ended the month. The weather once again disrupted shipping with Alderney Shipping having a delay of one day and another Huelin Renouf boat being cancelled all together, the Harbour Master has been looking into the weather history and reported to The States that were only 10 occasions last year when larger shipping would have been disrupted; it feels like we are nearly up to that figure already for 2010.

The harbour office are working hard to ensure that the mooring buoys get back on track for the start of the season, a combination of weather and a change of contractor have so far caused a delay to the usual schedule but it should be service as normal well ahead of the next bank holiday weekend at the start of May. The new dinghy pontoon continues to be the focus of frenzied activity should also be in place in plenty of time.

The States continue to look into the regulation of fishing, Pierre Dupont met with the General Services Committee to discuss a possible limit on the size of boats that are permitted to fish close into Alderney’s coast. A public meeting is now being planned, and The States have undertaken to work closely with fishing vessel owners.

Now into April and seasonal businesses like The First and Last are open once again, the clocks are showing Summer Time and the evenings are light enough to at least find the barbecue. The long range weather is offering a bit of a roller coaster, with some settled conditions and spring like temperatures forecast but these look likely to be accompanied by some rain for the middle and end of April.

Issue 941 - Late March 2010

Congratulations to Paul Skerritt for being the first correct entry out of the hat, with a right answer to the quiz question in issue 939: The sound signals given by an overtaking boat and the reply. This month’s question is at the bottom of the page.

Early March has been a testing time for the harbour and especially for the island’s new cargo operator Huelin Renouf, their boat “Endeavour” was delayed at the start of the month because of high winds and then the first of their visits the following week was cancelled all together. Even the smaller boat of Alderney Shipping suffered delays of a few hours, as high winds blew directly into the open harbour entrance. The weather restriction on the larger ships might have implications for the islands economy and food supply, since we would be exposed to prolonged periods without cargo if we relied only on the larger boats.

Alderney Shipping have set up a Facebook page, to keep islanders up to date on their schedules and activity, you can find them by searching for “shipping to Alderney”.

Progress continues to be made with the idea of replacing the broken and odious sewage treatment at Longis beach, as mentioned in previous issues one idea is to have a more pleasant reed bed instead. The States’ Group for Sewage and Water expressed concerns that the bore-holes on the common could be at risk and their existing plans would remain until it can be shown that the reserve bore holes will be safer with an adjacent reed bed than they are now. It was put to the group that the project would have benefits for health, tourism, the environment as well as saving taxpayer’s money. The States had been asked to look at reed beds five years ago by Peter Arnold, who believes the recent works at Platte Saline have made allowances for some processing in the future. Hopefully we will not end up going down the same route as Guernsey, who are considering a waste water tax in order to pay for their future treatment facilities.

I was fortunate enough to be asked by The Wildlife Trust to help them re-install their excellent Puffin Cam on Burhou again this month, inevitably I ended up being press ganged into collecting rubbish from around the bird sanctuary. To anyone who has not yet done any volunteering for them - I would urge you to do so, the work that goes on around Alderney is not only crucial but also very rewarding and enjoyable.

Now is also a good time for spotting Mermaid’s Purses, which are the egg sacks of sharks and rays. If you do see any the Wildlife Trust would like to know, there is also the annual Easter Egg Hunt event on Braye Beach to look forward to.

Easter also marks the re-starting of the Sailing Club’s practical motorboat training, there are two courses on offer initially – Royal Yachting Association Introduction to Powerboating and the Powerboat Certificate (Also known as PB1 and PB2). Practical courses have not been run for a little while and there has been a rigorous process of applications and inspections that were needed before these widely recognised qualifications could be offered.

Bray Beach contributed the usual sand drifts to Braye Street and the slope down to the beach itself became something of a sand dune, States Works sprang into action though and cleared the way with the pictured digger.

April showers are looking likely in the mid-range weather forecast, with a steady stream of low pressures bringing unsettled conditions. Winds are likely to be from the northwest and southwest as systems roll in from the Atlantic laden with watery clouds. When the sun does break through though it should be pleasantly warm, with the really fierce winds now mostly behind us.

Issue 940 - Mid March 2010

An interesting point was raised on Facebook, that popular social networking website, at the end of February. The question was asked: “So, Air Fares have reached an all time high, does Alderney need a ferry link?” There has been a great response, most of which in favour of the idea though it was pointed out that the Lady Maris would run every day to Cherbourg and Guernsey if there were enough demand. I had a quick look at our airline web sites to get an idea of the price for a family of four visiting for the last week in July, they both came up with prices of well over £600. With alternatives like those I wonder if a locally run ferry service serving Southampton and Jersey would attract customers looking to save a few hundred pounds? A similar service of ships operates to and around the Shetland and Orkney Islands, through sea conditions that can be as exposed as the English Channel. For example Scrabster to Stromness (about 60 miles) costs £50 for a four-berth cabin in high season, even taking into account subsidies this is a fraction of the cost of flying to Alderney. Condor Ferries were asked to comment but have not yet been able to do so.

The Alderney Society are planning to re-start the restoration process of the personnel bunker at Fort Doyle (pictured) this summer, the hope is to refit the site with as many of the original German items plus replicas where needed. First though the whole side needs some fierce gardening treatment and a leak or two plugging, so a bit of help is going to be needed. The whole project will be overseen by Channel Islands occupation expert Trevor Davenport, who is holding a briefing for anyone that would like to help with the repairs – which is pencilled in for the evening of April 1^stso keep an eye out for posters confirming the details.

A big thank you to John Morley for his comments on the Longis article, I suspect that the benign green slime could well be a safe by-product if the sewage works were in perfect condition. Even so, the idea of a nose-curling odour and unsightly machine might still be a cause for concern when located in the car park of such an outstanding bay.

Thanks also to the many entrants of last issue’s nautical quiz. The winner will have been drawn by now and will be named in the next issue (941) along with the next question for everyone to ponder.

There was some notable sea life reported in February: A Salmon Trout weighing in at nearly five pounds was caught in the Bailiwick’s waters at the end of February, the species Salmo Trutta better known as Brown Trout when they are not migrating and are spawning in fresh water. When migrating the fish spend their time at sea and they can live for as long as 20 years.

Soon the 2010 boating season will be upon us, filled with great opportunities to get out on the water and explore new corners of La Manche. I for one will be glad to put February’s boating behind me for eleven months, it is the only time recently when I try to take the boat out and ended up turning tale; the combination of wet and windy squalls with temperatures that loiter just above zero is a tough one.

The start of March looked so promising for a few days, but the month got off to a chilly and wind swept start. The new harbour routine seems to be settling out nicely: With a Poole boat on Tuesday mornings, followed by a Jersey boat in the afternoon and then the Guernsey boat on Wednesday and the second Jersey boat of the week on Thursday. The crews and shore staff of the two companies braved the howling easterly winds and the long range forecast remains a mixed bag with magnificent patches of clear skies and ever-warmer sunshine, interspersed with high winds, cloud and chilling temperatures.

Issue 940 - Early March 2010

Thanks also to the many entrants of last issue’s nautical quiz. The winner will have been drawn by now and will be named in the next issue (941) along with the next question for everyone to ponder.

Issue 939 - Late February 2010

Soon the harbour will have a brand new, custom built, dinghy pontoon to go with the new quay. Plans for the quay originally included a replacement but what with the over spend problems this was shelved, that was until the full extent of the last season’s wear and tear could be seen when the structure was lifted out for the yearly inspection. The Harbour Master reported to the General Services Committee that surveyors had condemned the pontoon as beyond economic repair, leaving The States with little choice but to find the funds for a replacement. Estimated at £75,000 the new one will be built on-island and then painted and decked by the harbour staff. The dinghy pontoon is absolutely vital to the working of the harbour and provides the only facility for visiting yachtsmen to bring their own tenders to shore.

The General Services Committee also heard at the start of the year that Chairman Bill Walden would like to see legislation put in place for the protection of spawning Bass in Alderney’s waters, this was picked up again in February’s meeting when the Committee agreed to invite Pierre Dupont to join the next meeting - in March. The States are also working on ways to make wider consultation more effective before making decisions on fisheries matters.

Alderney Sailing Club had a visit from John Elliott on behalf of the Royal Yachting Association in February, the club has been working on, once again, offering practical boating courses in the harbour and the inspection went smoothly. With just some local bylaws to satisfy there should be a range of powerboat courses available by spring, these courses are designed to help promote safe boating and the ever-popular shore based courses run at the club fit in with this well; the whole RYA training scheme is internationally recognised and admired.

At the time of writing the weather forcast for the end of February is very grim, with wind and rain of near hurricane proportions being foretold. The start of March looks set to be fair, with a few high pressures and just a few quite gentle lows heading this way. The second week though looks a tad less pleasant though, with a mix of winds and rain to show us that the boating season is not quite in full swing just yet.

Issue 938 - Mid February 2010

A hectic Saturday morning to end January with a bracing wind from the northwest and a hive of activity on the new quay: The cargo boat ‘Swift’ left just after first light to be immediately replaced by the ‘Heulin Endeavour’ on follow-up berthing trials. At the same time the French lifeboat from Goury, the ‘Mona Rigolet’ turned up. And then Sunday saw the regular visit by the oil tanker, which took the entirety of the day to top up the island’s fuel reserves.

The Heulin Endeavour will, it is hoped, be a regular visitor and represents a step forward in reducing the island’s isolation by offering a cargo service between Jersey, Southampton and Alderney. The service will run along side the longstanding stalwarts Alderney Shipping, who will continue to serve us with the Poole – Guernsey route.

Thank you to all the readers who emailed in response to the Longis Bay article, as a result of that support Sustainable Alderney is forming a group to discuss options with the States and raise funds for some improvement if it is judged possible. The topic carries on from an article that appeared back in issue 868 (March 2007), in which Juan Salado wrote in detail about the problems the island continues to face.

Gannets and Puffins have had their pictures in papers and on telly in February, both were winning subjects in the BBC’s online photo competition. Paul Hillion took a stunning photo of a sky full of Gannets near Ortac last year and it is well worth an admiring gaze if you have not already seen it. The birds themselves are starting to return, with the Gannets having been around for a little while and even a few spotted on Garden Rock. The Alderney Wildlife Trust’s work on Burhou is therefore getting geared up, ready for the 2010 breeding season. All being well the Puffin Cam will be returning to your computer screens in a few months time, keep an eye on the AWT web site for the first glimpse. The results last year were fascinating, the unmanned camera really helped to highlight the importance of not disturbing the birds who are always ready to bolt down their burrows.

The Sailing Club have suggested adopting a bit of technology too, with Peter Hamer putting it to the members that they consider using social networking sites to help coordinate this year’s sailing activity; a great idea and one I look forward to joining in with.

And so, neatly, from sailing to weather. The end of February looks likely to be windy, with the recent sequence of high pressures that have seen the UK retain all of that snow finally being dislodged by a system that will bring us seasonal high winds and rain.

Issue 937 - Early February 2010

The sea provides, never more so than for a small island community like ours. Most of our freight is of course transported by sea and where would our tourism industry be without the glorious cliffs and magnificent beaches and there is the island’s tidal power opportunities.

The sea is also expected to take away some of our waste, in particular the outfall from our sewage plants. Of interest from a marine perspective is the island’s south facing sandy beach at Longis, because this is the site of just such an outfall. So far it has not been practical to run the pipe far enough out that it reaches open water, it does not even make it to below the low water line. The result is easy to imagine: Slime coated rocks at the top of the beach and a risk of visible and hidden contaminants with a health risk that go with it, a slight on one of the island’s most popular suntraps.

In the letters pages of the last issue Ken Hampton raised an interesting point: Anaerobic digesters, industrial plants that take in not only piped waste but also any compostable material from households and businesses, waste which we currently pay dearly to send off the island. These installations are pricey and one to suit us would probably come with a price tag of around £2 million; the twist in the tale though is that they take waste and turn it into money, giving new meaning to the old saying “where there’s muck, there’s brass”.

These composting digesters produce, as Ken pointed out, water which with a minimum of treatment can be used to top up our reservoirs. But they also produce gas, which is most commonly used to make electricity. So with one single sweep of the treasurer’s pen we have made a big dent in three of the islands most expensive problems: Water, power and waste!

Compost digesters are not the only answer that presents itself to Longis beach situation though. The Alderney Wildlife Trust has an idea for a truly green solution to the waste currently spilling out over the sand and rocks. A series of reed beds, which would help to purify the waste before it reaches to the bay. Such a solution would also add to Alderney’s wetland habitats and in doing so would make the area more attractive to birds and in turn draw bird watchers and other holiday makers to the island.

With the commercial quay famously over spent and much needed work still needed in the harbour it is unlikely that the sewage plant at Longis will be a priority for this year, but with a little work and some well placed information through the Sustainable Alderney initiative we can see what is possible and what the benefits are.

That is all just pie in the sky of course, so onto the weather… There is likely to be some rain and fog up there too by the looks of the weather for the start of February. There are another series’ of low pressures heading this way for the first week of the month, but after that there are some high-pressure systems that should bring a settled end to the winter months. February is typically a harsh time for the island and for the harbour in particular with North Easterly winds bringing open sea conditions to our doorstep, but it does mark a positive time with the new season not too far away.

Issue 936 Mid January 2010

It is often said that the Inuit have a great many words for snow, in reality they have no more than we do. English on the other hand is fully awash with words for different kinds of weather, this was particularly highlighted when the temperature dropped suddenly mid-December and everybody I met in the harbour had a different word for the sudden chill: Fresh, bracing, crisp, and so on; with one optimistic individual choosing to highlight that it had if fact warmed up (by half a degree). The news of early January has been full of snow reports from Jersey and Guernsey, while we had a second white winter in as many years the two larger islands suffered breakdowns in communication, infrastructure and transport.

We were fortunate enough to be asked to travel in company with a boat making a channel crossing in December, having never done one in mid-winter before I was keen to see how the sixty mile journey would differ from travelling in warmer weather. There was certainly no hope of stopping mid-channel to swim with dolphins, in the end we didn’t see any but the thought of getting wet with toes that were already little more than ice cubes in wellies was not appealing. The weather was verging on a force 5 and the wind chill made it feel like freezing, but all concerned were well wrapped up and an occasional stop for a snack was a welcome chance to get the blood moving again. The next Channel crossing that I know of is an expedition to Southampton for a Sea Survival Course, three hours on the water – only to then jump into a swimming pool and climb into a liferaft at the other end! The plane may well end up taking the strain.

It has been suggested that a new flight route might be considered to Dublin, as this is the base for the tidal power company Open Hydro who will soon be work on their turbines for Alderney Renewable Energy. It is easy to see the attraction of such a route for the many Guinness drinkers on the island, but I am not sure if it is in the range of a loved but slightly humble Trislander. One thing is sure – the Guernsey tidal power project is also gaining momentum and they will soon be looking in much more detail at their potential sites; of course such a socially important development could never become a competition. Meanwhile here in our own waters, the December round of Seabed Video Surveys of our infamous tidal waters have once again proved fruitful, with some excellent scientific data and a couple of nice pictures being given up by the depths of the island’s most tidal waters. The picture above shows the seabed life found at 50 meters depth.

Getting back to the weather, it is the main talking point after all, there is little sign that late January will be any less wintry. There are some high pressures making their way across the Atlantic that promise settled but very chilly conditions, but there is still plenty of cause to think that we have some harsh winds in store. On a brighter note the nights are now perceptibly drawing back, with sunset at the solstice having being ten past four it will have moved more than half an hour by the time you read this!

Issue 935 Late December 2009

Apologies are due to all the people who were concerned that the column in last issue did not balance Alderney’s clear economic need for a Marina. The intention of the article was two fold: to describe surprise at the initial feedback from visiting yachtsmen and to get the marina topic back out in the open.

I should have made it clear that the survey reported was naturally biased, it being drawn from those yachtsmen who currently sail regularly to the island. There is a need to understand the views of those many boat owners who do not currently visit Alderney, or who have visited and are not eager to repeat the process until there is a pontoon berth available.

As the survey progresses there are some more telling and certainly much more encouraging statistics that can be drawn from it: The vast majority, well over half, of those who responded, come to Alderney because of the location. This would suggest that more people would do so if the facilities were improved. Only a few people said that they visit for economic reasons, such as exchange rates. The remaining number of visitors said they do so to enjoy the change of pace that the island offers, something that I believe most people agree is an important and hopefully permanent attraction.

Braye has four distinct mooring areas at present and few of the suggested plans involve removing or even reducing these, so there is every reason to believe that Alderney can happily meet the needs of sailors who prefer to anchor or secure to a swinging mooring and still offer walk-ashore pontoons. I continue to wonder if a staged improvement is more realistic that a single big-budget development, such as the two currently being assessed by civil engineers. The two favourite sites are near the Blacksmiths or in the shadow of Fort Albert, both of which will require completely new facilities to be built.

A passing container ship captain remarked this week that the global economic downturn is still being felt throughout the shipping industry, he told us about the thousands of ships that he has seen lying empty. With so few goods being transported around the world at the moment even those ships that are contracted out do not know what or when their next journey will be, quite a contrast with the frantic import activity of just a couple of years ago. This news leads me to believe that visiting yachtsmen are going to be an even more important part of next year’s economy on the island.

The harbour had a visit from Her Majesty’s Royal Navy early in the month, albeit just for a short stop over of the minesweeper HMS Warnby on the way from Jersey to Portsmouth. None the less – a very welcome site along side the new commercial quay.

Alderney’s Lifeboat ‘Roy Barker 1’ has had an active couple of weeks, most recently they attended a motor boat which had run out of fuel on the way from the English south coast to Guernsey. The crew of the lifeboat are shown pictured firing a red pin-point emergency flare, as used by boats in distress to signal their position and that they need help.

Our friendly container ship captain also reported on the weather, confirming that most if not all of the high pressures we had been hoping to benefit from were ending up in the Mediterranean. The end of December looks set to continue the trend of wild of wet south westerly with cold and clear periods every ten days or so.

All that remains is for me to wish everybody a warm and festive Christmas and a healthy, happy 2010.

Issue 934 Early December

Alderney needs a marina, but will it ever get one?

In preparation for a forthcoming Harbour Tourism meeting this winter a survey of yacht skippers who visited Alderney either this or last year is being prepared, with the works on the quay coming to a close and in an absence of the promised public consultations from the Marina Advisory Group it seems valuable and timely to gain the visitor’s viewpoint of what is good and bad about sailing to Braye. The results have thus far been very interesting indeed, though the full report will not be ready until the meeting; expect a write up of all the issues covered.

The survey has so far been useful and surprising for a number of reasons, first and foremost is that the vast majority of visiting skippers who responded were not in favour of a marina. Improvements to the showers and dinghy pontoon together with approval for the new water taxi service were all common comments. Those who yearn for a walk-ashore pontoon are in the clear minority, at least when it comes to people who currently visit the island. There is a rock solid theme of people making the effort to visit because they like Alderney the way it is. No doubt there would be more people keen to visit if there were a marina, but do those numbers outweigh the people who feel the island’s charm is at risk?

Given that few locals we talk to are drawn to the idea of paying ten times the current mooring fees for a marina berth; this latest news could put the possible benefits of a multi-million pound project in a dim light. One suggestion is that what Braye really needs in terms of floating facilities is some shelter from the Northeasterly weather and large free-floating pontoons as can be seen in St Peter Port harbour, visitors still use a tender or the water taxi to get ashore but they do not have the problems of tying up to a swinging mooring buoy. I dare say that such a development would probably move on gradually into ever improving facilities. A clear message is that no one should try to reinvent Braye, might a steady program of improvement satisfy 80% of people for 20% of the cost?

No amount of extra shelter for the harbour would have made the crew of the ‘Isis’ any more comfortable recently, the prolonged high winds that characterised late November caused sufficient concern to Alderney Shipping that the lifeline-sailing was delayed by three days. The last boat run of the month saw the Poole cargo arrive on Thursday, with the Guernsey goods coming in on Friday. The delay did not result in plain sailing though, as the usual five hour Channel crossing took twelve long and difficult hours. More complications arose when the harbour crane broke down, meaning that Geomarine’s crane struggled to get at the last two containers and the pilot boat (pictured) had to hold the ‘Isis’ off the quay to help the last of the unload.

At the time of writing and I dare say that at the time of publication too, the weather continues to batter the whole of the island with the west coast taking the brunt of it. Lucky for us the forefathers knew to have a runway that faces into the prevailing wind and a harbour that faces away. In the last issue I promised a couple of weeks of clear weather, the incoming systems do still look likely to deliver at least a couple of high pressures making the start of December much more pleasant. Looking further into December the theme of crisp and clear should continue, with Norwesters bringing chilly but calm conditions; albeit a week or so later than was hoped.

Issue 933 Late November 2009

Congratulations are once again due, this time to the new owners of Mainbrayce for their excellent water taxi service. The Harbour Master reported at last month’s General Services meeting that they have operated a good service throughout the season. As a sign of the committee’s delight they have allowed the evening fare, after 9.30pm, to increase to £2. Everyone appreciates the importance of the taxi and Rupert, James and the other drivers have taken a big step toward putting Braye back on many yachtsmen’s maps.

Odyssey Marine Exploration are at it again, the salvage company have suggested that the wreck of HMS Victory (the predecessor to Nelson’s ship which sank in 1744 with the loss of 1,000 souls) is at risk of damage from trawling. The UK Government are bound by treaty to leave all historic wrecks alone, unless they can be shown to be under threat. So the possible damage from fishing boats is Odyssey’s best chance of recovering the £600 million worth of gold that is suspected to be aboard. Mr Stemm of Odyssey said: "We've got a proposal that would have the entire site excavated, the entire collection conserved, educational materials developed and Odyssey would take the entire risk of putting that project together and funding that project."

Reading Sir Normal Browse’s newsletter, it seems that the last two year’s investment in the commercial quay makes for an interesting parallel with the plans for a cable to France. One the one hand we have the quay, which is needed to continue our dependence on oil fired power. On the other, a link that would help to lift our dependence on the ever rising cost of buying oil by the tanker load. Few would doubt that the work was needed, overdue even and it will certainly be good to see the harbour back to normal over the next few months.

Video surveys of Alderney’s waters will be recommencing shortly, weather permitting of course. The equipment has been up in Orkney since summer, where it impressed the engineers and scientists who were all working on ways to track the possible effect of tidal turbines on the marine environment. The local work is intended to form a background of what the seabed is like now – before the development starts. Being at the very leading edge of tidal power Alderney needs to have all the answers as there are many eyes peering in on the work being done. There is after all far more of Alderney under the water than there is above it.

The harbour’s boats continue to be hoisted from their natural element and tucked-up on shore, including a most welcome though unusual addition: ‘Ragtime’, the globe trotting yacht belonging to the other Martin Smith. Normally this magnificent craft is taken across to Dielette for the winter, but this time around she has joined the island’s other largest boats in the shelter of Grosnez. As a delightful contrast there is most notably a venerable vessel of an entirely different scale, the small but perfectly formed 105 year old ‘Hirondelle’.

As we head out of November the weather looks likely to calm down a little, after the high winds and vast quantity of rain that we suffered in the middle of the month. There is a system of high pressure heading our way and the last week of the month and the start of December are set, hopefully, to be still, dry and of course just a little bit chilly.

Issue 932 Early November 2009

Familiarity, we are told, breeds contempt; but then again change is worrisome. So when it comes to our all-important sea links with other islands it is hardly surprising if feathers get a little ruffled. Such might be the case with the unfolding developments of the shipping contract between Alderney and Guernsey comes up for renewal, Alderney Shipping are tried, tested and utterly dependable, but the desire to see just how green the grass might be is very tantalising. No doubt the major implications of such a key service will be reported in full, but it remains an ongoing item of interest for the harbour life column.

Back in summer a seventeen year-old Alderney Ganet was found close by on the French coast at Cosqueville. The birds are a familiar and welcome site all around the island while they are breeding, this particular one hatched on Garden Rock and was ringed on the 19^th of June in 1993. The bird’s relatives are all gone from the rock now and their white-tipped corner of Alderney is eerily quiet and still.

The autumn is being described by some as the shortest on record, I suppose they mean to say that we went from summer straight to winter with little time to adjust our woollies in the process. There has still been some good boating done though, with the charter angling boat “Smuggler” out and about and a few local boats off on trips during the calmer days. Our own boat “Dizzy Izzy” took us on a trip to Jersey and back – a regular run at the end of every term. I confess though that the force 8 winds from the west did concern me enough to join the other fog bound passengers, waiting for a Trislander, when it came time for the return.

Before finishing with a look at the weather I would like to congratulate the Alderney Wildlife Trust team on their magnificent achievement in successfully walking their route around the island’s network of paths. Their aim was to highlight just what a great place Alderney is for walking and I think they did a grand job.

We are in for some traditional autumnal weather for the middle of November, it looks as though there might just be some dry and settled days followed by some blustery and wet westerlies. Time to get those new wellies perhaps?

Issue 931 Late October 2009

As briefly mentioned in the last issue Alderney was again host to the Inter Island Conference, with government, volunteer and scientific representatives from Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and the Isle of Man all soaking up Alderney’s hospitality. There was a great deal of interest in the tidal power project with Alderney happily acknowledged as leading the way, it is safe to say that the speaker from ACRE had the full and undivided attention of the entire room; well done Pam. Other marine matters covered were the changing sea bird populations and the risk that would be posed by a marina to our delicate balance of habitats here in Alderney. The State’s marina group have been asked to comment on the latter, so keep an eye out for that.

Our very own Melanie Broadhurst is away in Scotland at the moment, the company that are supplying the turbines for the tidal power have some test platforms in place up in Orkney and Mel was invited to see how they have influenced the sea life. Due back at the end of the month we hope to bring you a full round up her trip to the cold and dark extremities.

The last of the English angling charter boats have now wrapped up their season and departed for the last time this year. Colin Dukes, Alderney’s own charter angling skipper is still going strong though: “This year aboard Smuggler of Braye we have seen some fantastic Turbot and Brill with lots of fish over 10lb, indeed we have had 3 Turbot over 20lb this season. I have a couple of groups of visiting anglers this month and we will also be putting charters together with local anglers at weekends. The Bass are starting to run now and we should be getting some good sport on the banks. For the local anglers keep an eye on the weather and on the notice boards out side Alderney Angling for potential trips.” Fuel prices have a lot to do with the number of visits we get from the charter fleet, with skippers having to make a decision about how far to venture with their customers, so havoc was wrought this year because marine diesel has been up and down in the UK. That said the number of anglers was up for this September, with nearly double the boats compared to this time last year.

On the subject of statistics and boats, it is pleasing to see that over two thousand more people visited Alderney by private boat this year than last.

Alderney Lifeboat was called out to a Mayday on Thursday the 8th, The lifeboat “Roy Barker” launched into action to the yacht “Falcon”. Although the yacht was close to the entrance of the harbour she had none the less lost her sail and was perilously close to the Grois rocks.

Alderney Sailing Club members are getting their boats all tucked up for winter and preparing to celebrate the close of another season with the traditional Laying Up Supper, tickets were sold out as soon as they were made available at the clubhouse on the evening of Friday the 9^th. Commodore Stuart Trought said he was very much looking forward to the evening “I am really pleased there was a good turnout for ticket night, the atmosphere gives a real taste of how lively the dinner will be. We are lucky to be welcoming The Lieutenant Govenor as this year’s guest speaker.” The sailing club web site has been updated recently and has lots of information and details of how to join: alderneysailingclub.com

The commercial quay continues to be reported as on schedule, there are lamp posts being installed and something to do with wiring must be happening because there was a power cut last week. There still remain the slightly sticky issues of the necessary ramp that will take the trucks and cranes up to the higher level of the new sections, as well as the dreaded hole. I noticed that the hole and political implications were reported nationally by a yachting magazine, but at least visitors are getting the message that most of the quay will be nice and tidy for them next year.

The dinghy pontoon will soon be lifted out and Assistant Harbour Master Nigel Shaw reminds everyone to remove their tenders if they prefer not to collect them from the waiting buoy once the pontoon has been brought out. “The pontoon should be out before the end of October, it has suffered some damage through the season and it will need attention over winter.”

On Tuesday the 13^th the Sea Cadet Training Ship “Royalist” visited Braye on her way from Sark, the 95ft long square-rigger is a regular visitor to Alderney.

It was said recently, by someone far wiser than I, that one sunny day in autumn is worth ten in summer. I whole-heartedly agree and would love it if the still conditions and warm sunshine of mid October continue into the next fortnight. Alas the systems of low pressure that are heading our way are far more likely to bring seasonal wind and rain. I suppose though that a thunderstorm on All Hallows Eve would add atmosphere to the parties.