2012-H2 – Programme – Autumn


Programme Autumn 2012

Ruffling the Parrot’s Feathers: 
10,000 miles across the Pacific – John Apps

Accomplished long distance sailor, 3 times Jester Atlantic Challenge competitor and GXSA member, John Apps describes his 2011 voyage from the Caribbean to Australia in his usual entertaining style.

New England Sailing – Roger Shaw

Tales of sailing from Long Island Sound out to Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod and Nantucket over seven years, including how to avoid a US submarine in fog and many other stories.

Cruising in the Adriatic – Stuart Bradley

Stuart Bradley and his crew have spent four seasons cruising the area from Venice to Dubrovnik along the Croatian coast and islands – “ the Mediterranean as it used to be”.

Rowing the Atlantic in support of Human Rights – Debbie Beadle

Remarkable story of how Debbie Beadle lead a record breaking 45 day rowing boat Atlantic crossing last winter. Many problems but determination and resilience saw them through. Debbie manages the Youth Programme at a leading children’s rights charity and the trip was devised to raise awareness about child trafficking.

Marine Accident Investigation – Nick Hance

Inspector of Marine Accidents, Nick Hance will describe how the MAIB investigates accidents in merchant ships, small commercial vessels and in leisure craft. Example cases, including recent investigations, will be instructive and raise issues for discussion.

Adventures in the Ice – Dick Turnbull

Sailor, climber and retailer, Dick Turnbull will describe his trip from Oban to Spitzbergen. In addition to the sailing, Dick scaled some of the Lofoten mountains. There were some hair raising moments escaping from an ice pack, assisted by an ice breaker.

Sailing down the Danube in Sea Griffin – Neil Lynn

Taking a boat through the heart of historic Europe from the Baltic to the Black Sea over two sailing seasons. Locks and dams, impressions of the journey, the oddities, people, the history but most of all the interest.

The Making of a Yachtsman’s Pilot – Dick Holness

Dick is co-author of East Coast Pilot, the definitive guide to East Coast creeks and backwaters. How did the Pilot come about and how it is kept up to date? Interesting local stories and ideas about the future role of such publications in the electronic age.

The Shetland Bus – Stephen Howarth

Stephen’s father David was in day to day operational command of the SOE unit that transported secret agents and weapons between the Shetland Isles and occupied Norway during the winter months of 1940⁄1945. His 1951 book ‘the Shetland Bus’ is still selling steadily today.

Cast Off for Christmas

More entertaining stories from members about their year’s sailing experiences plus mince pies and seasonal refreshments.


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