Sea-Change Sailing Trust is a charity that takes young people and vulnerable adults on life-skills-building residential voyages on board our Thames sailing barge Blue Mermaid. We like to enter Blue Mermaid in the annual series of historic Thames sailing barge races (or matches) that take place around the east coast each year. On these occasions only, we invite a small group of up to 8 paying guests aboard for an overnight stay onboard and participation in the race. The funds raised on these occasions help to support the work of the charity. No previous sailing experience is necessary, and as we have a race crew of our own onboard, guests may either participate in sailing the barge, or find a place that is out of the way of the action, and just spectate. Racing can get pretty exciting with the winner taking home the coveted Match Pennant, and the race points count towards the annual award of Champion Barge. The cost of an overnight berth, an evening meal before the match, and a place onboard for the race itself is £160 per person.
My wife and sailing mate Christobel and I have been very long standing supporters of this excellent charity. We had the pleasure of spending a day aboard the Blue Mermaid during one of the Covid-19 pandemic’s ‘quieter phases’ a couple of years ago now.
It was fantastic. Although brought up on the sailing barge May Flower and have sailed aboard a number of her sisters since, the Blue Mermaid was a revelation.
Our Finesse 24 is a delight to sail and takes little effort, often sailing herself or just needing guidance. The Blue Mermaid was the same … a spoke correction as needed, a couple of turns on a tack, a little correction and away she goes…
Skipper Richard Titchener gives quiet gentle advice as and when needed.
I was tasked with taking her off the mooring off Heybridge Basin, swinging 180 deg and tacking round Hilly Pool Pt to anchor for breakfast off Osea Is. After setting her bowsprit we sailed down to the Wallet Spitway before anchoring under St Peter’s for a late lunch – the helm was shared.
The afternoon passage back was tacking all the way – I was put on helm by Richard (two others wanted to do the foresail between them). Approaching Osea again dusk became dark, with sailing lamps lit I wondered at ‘conference forward between the Skipper, mate and Hilary the trust’s current leader. When Hilary came aft, I asked what the problem was … ‘you got us up here too quickly…’ she said, chuckling.
I was asked to sail up and down off Osea Is. – reaching back and forth – until Richard reappeared and said take her up to Hill Pool where he would take over. It was pitch black. Richard’s swift two and half tacks past Heybridge Lock and run back to Blue Mermaid’s mooring was poetry in motion…
Now, if you fancy a go, do it: this vessel is a delight to handle…
The full story will be in a new book out sometime this year…