Do as I say (not as I do!)

Last Sunday whilst sitting in a Travel Lodge on the M2, my mobile rang and a lady said

"Hello this is original Wave 105, could we ask you a few questions about the weather that is about to hit the UK?"

"Whats your advice to people using the water tomorrow"

I suggest everyone listens to the weather reports and takes the advice given by the Met office, people should avoid using small boats and certainly contact the Coastguard Operations rooms for further advice should you need to use a boat

"OK, does this sort of weather happen often?"

(Slight panic as I had not read an in depth forecast so wasn't 100% sure what we were about to get), my answer was along the lines of we do get storms and a couple of large ones in the year, but as long as people follow the advice they should remain safe.

"Anything further"

Basic advice was to stay clear from the coast tomorrow as the waves are fore casted to be large and dangerous to coastal users, sea defences were expected to be breached in places, so stay clear of sea walls etc.

What I didn't say was the reason I was on the M2. In the morning we were due to cross the Channel to France....yes the very person stating we should all avoid the sea was himself about to hit the water, however in my defence I was going on a 26433 ton car ferry not a small vessel and at the end of the day, the decision to sail was not mine!.

So off we set, the weather was certainly wet and windy, the Pride of Calais arrived and took 45 minutes to turn around and dock in the harbour, using her anchor and tug...things not looking good.

The wind was gusting at 55 knots, the port was closed.....


Being a Coastguard has its advantages sometimes, a phone call home and we hear there is a clear spell of weather on the way.....clearly the Captain also heard and took advantage as he decided to load his vessel and some two hours later left, one of the only ferries to leave Dover that day.

Mid Channel other vessels found it tough.

Behind this wall of water was a giant tanker