Haul Out

Cotehele Quay Friday morning and Shamrock is floating on the tide, her mooring ropes are released and she is floated over to the rear of her cradle and then hauled forwards towards her correct position over her cradle only for some reason she stops about 2 meters (6ft) short and even with Nancy Belle pushing she will not move. As the tide is starting to drop the decision is made to try and get her back over to her mud dock, this also fails. So as the tide is falling fast Shamrock is allowed to settle on her cradle where she is. Once the tide drops it is noticed that steel band that protects the stempost (bow) and continues around the stempost curve and along the bottom of the keel for about 1 metre (3 ft), had become detached on the keel section and was acting like a large hook. This had originally stopped Shamrock clearing the top section of her cradle and also stopped her being pulled back off. As the Shamrock keel is ether hidden in the mud at low tide or floating in the muddy waters of the Tamar this had gone unnoticed. Later that day the offending section of steel band was cut off and Shamrock's sternpost shored up to prevent her stern sagging. The Friday evening tide was higher than the earlier one and Shamrock was finally floated onto her correct position over her cradle. Then, around midday on Saturday, with the aid of a tractor she was hauled to her position at the top of the slipway ready for her much needed repairs.

After the morning tide. 

After the evening tide.

The offending steel band.

Cut down to size.

Getting ready for the first pull.

Halfway up.

Shored up and awaiting repair.

One rotten hull plank.

Nancy Belle Beached

The removal of Shamrock's slipways rails has resulted in the slipway being a lot more usable and as the river Tamar has been in full flood, due to a period of unseasonal heavy rain, Nancy Belle has been beached at the top of the slipway to get her out of the river and away from all the driftwood (Tamar crocodiles). The time on the slipway has not been wasted as she has had a bit of a clean up, a new battery and the fitting of a non return valve in her exhaust system, not that she is ever likely be taken out in conditions when this would be needed.

High and dry.

Nancy Belle Trips

Accompanied by glorious weather the Nancy Belle has completed her last public river trip of the year. During the trip she managed to navigate a lot further up the Tamer than normal, this is down to the fact that some of the large trees that were blocking the river above Morwellham Quay have been removed. The problem with the Tamar River is when a tree is down you cannot be sure what’s under the water around it due to the murkiness caused by silt, this makes the water very murky. There is a rumour that Nancy Belle is due at least one more trip upriver this year, this time for the volunteers, we just hope the weather is as good.

Nancy Belle returns.

Can we use her for water skiing?

A single bat has been spotted under the eaves at the front of the boat shed. The crew not being chiropterologists (bat experts) have no idea what species it is or if it wants to become a member of Shamrock's crew.

Hanging around.

Another photo of Shamrock.

River Tamar Views

With the present weather being rather stormy the view of the Tamar from the boat shed can change completely during the course of a day.

Morning view.

Afternoon view.

Shamrock is abandoned during the morning rain.

After lots of toing and froing Peter's boat Shanti finally leaves Cotehele Quay and takes it's first trial trip on the Tamar.

She was escorted by Nancy Belle and a fine example of Tamar Crocodile.