TRADITIONAL gaff-rigged sailing boats congregated in Grimsby's Alexandra Dock as guests of the Grimsby And Cleethorpes Yacht Club (GCYC).
A total of 15 visiting boats, including several from Holland, called in as part of a circumnavigation of Britain to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Old Gaffers Association (OGA).
Those attending boasted a variety of types, from elegant yachts with varnished woodwork and polished brass, to sturdy ex-working boats, some very old, some quite new – but all with a spirit of tradition in common.
Visitors joined local GCYC club members in barbecues, shanty singing, local fish and chips, racing out on the Humber and water activities in the dock with the 1st Cleethorpes Sea Scouts.
The event was enhanced by the glorious summer weather.
Given their particular interest, many of the participants visited the Fishing Heritage Centre in the dock and even these salty old sea dogs were impressed.
The oldest boat to visit Grimsby was Bonita, a Morecambe Bay prawner built in 1888.
It set off in April from the Thames estuary so she is not too far from completing her circumnavigation.
Like many others, she intends to carry on round to Cowes, Isle of Wight where the Old Gaffers have their big Jubilee Festival in August. More than 200 traditional sailing boats are expected there.
During their Round Britain odyssey participants have endured everything that you might expect to have thrown at you when sailing the British coastline: fog in Lyme Bay, storms in Devon, northerlies in the Irish Sea, southerlies on the east coast, fishing lines round the propeller, fouled anchors, blocked loos, engine trouble, arduous trips home for work, enforced long passages, night passages, shortage of crew.
However, it seems the pleasures have been far greater than the hardships, with some great sailing in some stunning locations – and the fleet has been warmly welcomed by the different areas of the OGA which they have visited – the newly-reformed OGA North East Area being no exception.
Associated British Ports are sponsoring the Round Britain Challenge as well as the OGA Jubilee Festival at Cowes.
ON THE WEB: More pictures at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
