This year Whimbrel made it into the Ore & Alde. I had a crew of three aboard with me, my sister and two buddies, a nice couple from down in wild Wiltshire. They’d boarded the day before and we’d had a glorious sail up from Pin Mill.

Initially, we were going to stop off at Orford, go up to Snape next day via Slaughden and a visit to Aldeburgh … however we went straight up to Slaughden. The visitors buoys were taken (I’ve since learnt that these buoys are supposed to hold three vessels each…), so a vacant buoy was picked up round the corner where it was also quieter … it does roll in that river off the Martello Tower horribly.

A liberty boat came alongside and asked if we wanted to go ashore: we’d waved at it! Nothing was said about our use of the mooring, even though I’d said we were visiting.

Later, after a drink at club – fairly friendly – and a walk into town etc, we returned. A different boatman took us out. This boatman said we’d be okay: it was his mooring and he’d not have his boat back on it until the following afternoon … it wasn’t until I was aboard that I realised we’d been ‘mooved’ whilst ashore. Not far, but suddenly clearly the case!

Whimbrel in her ‘new’ position above Slaughden Quay. She’d been left across to the right!

I then noticed that the mooring line had been placed aft of the pulpit stanchion and round a deck socket for the p&S nav lights … it had been ripped from the deck tearing the glass cloth covering and tearing the ply deck…

A passing boatman from AYC was hailed and he apologised: he’d help a private mooring holder move Whimbrel (Mooring No. 34 above quay – for reference…) after returning and quote: ‘… shouting and bawling …’ at one of the AYC boatmen about my transgression. Apparently mooring holder 34’s crew was aboard Whimbrel…

Now I’m not against the boat being moved, but I do object to damage. I couldn’t replace the fitting for three weeks so couldn’t sail in the dark or in inclement weather… The ripped deck was obviously dealt with before water ingress could occur, then sealed over!

A later view whilst sailing to Snape… The tapped over deck and wiring ends can be seen. Fairlead is forward of stanchion so protecting socket!

I eventually wrote to the AYC. After three weeks I still hadn’t recieved a response, so wrote a stronger note.

Finally a response was granted to me … they don’t have anyone to account for the actions of their members during the summer, so it was to be investigated later … I’m still awaiting an apology from the boat owner. I’m not holding my breath!

Now, a word of warning for I’m quoting from my correspondence from the secretary of the Aldeburgh YC: ‘It is strange to hear the visitors moorings were full as the 3 buoys each raft 3 yachts and all boatmen are well briefed to expalin this to visitors and never to allow visitors to pick up private moorings.’

So, fellow sailors, you are warned!

I have to say that the chap behind the bar  (probably the steward), especially two days, later was very helpful indeed.

However, do I feel inclined to visit that part of the world in near future, not likely…