Yachtmaster theory exam - completed and passed!

Well thank goodness this week is over...... heavy going classroom stuff but we passed the exam and now have in our log books the following certificates:-  Competent crew, dayskipper theory and practical, sea survival, VHF course, Diesel engine course, Coastal/Yachtmaster theory. So now its building up towards the Yachtmaster practical which is the main bit of paper we want so we can work commercially. Obviously major celebrations last night with the boys as below! Unfortunately Paul in Holland seeing the children so he missed out....... but I carried the flag for both of us, as it would be rude not too!

The straits of Gibraltar are one of the busiest shipping lanes in the Northern Hempisphere and the tankers you come across are absoulutely enormous - 200+ metres so you have to be very wary all the time when sailing the straits. Having said that....... some guys from Northern Africa thought they would chance it from Morroco to Spain in a childrens raft with plastic paddles......... not a good idea. One of the yachts saw them and requested help which he got from the fast Cat ferry and the coastguard. All shipping was re-directed ( a major operation as you can imagine) so these guys could be rescued and returned to Morroco. Sad situation for these blokes but at least they didnt drown which they so easily could have done.

Next week Paul and I are being split up and I go to Africa on a 2 day passage and Paul is practicing skills in the Gibraltar Bay both of us with different crews. Tomorrow is First Aid course and then next weekend we go on a  racing yacht which will be great fun and exciting. Good friend Bill and Viv came to see me today and catch up........... great to see them.