Troon Trip to Rosa & Ada (17-21 May)
The plan was to take a RHIB to Troon to enable videoing of a Whitstable oyster smack, Rosa & Ada (R&A), for a film that one of our members was intending to make to celebrate the end of its career in Troon; and do some RHIB diving of some of Clyde shipwrecks as well! It didn’t quite happen that way!!
Four club members set off in 2 vehicles on Weds 17th May for Troon, Alf and Paul towing Alf’s RHIB (Venture 3) and Rick with Phil taking Rick’s video equipment. We got the RHIB got into the water after a 4 hour drive up the M6 and through Ayrshire.
We found out on arrival was that R&A’s owner, Duncan, was suffering from long Covid and preparations for sailing were well behind schedule (the initial problem). After some discussion the plan was modified to help get R&A set up for a possible brief sail (and diving) at the weekend.
While waiting for Duncan to arrive on Thursday morning, it was decided to do a preliminary dive on the nearest wreck (Adheek), so Alf, Phil & Paul kitted up (Rick acting as non-diving coxon) and set off. We found when out of Troon harbour’s speed limits that the RHIB’s engine would only run at slow speed (5-6 knots), any higher engine revs caused it to overheat with the engine management system shutting it down (second problem)!
We were able to reach the wreck buoy at low speed and our 3 divers had a very pleasant 35 minute to 23m dive on the Adheek. After a slow journey back to the harbour the RHIB was retrieved from the water. For the remainder of Thursday preparation of R&A’s gaff and associated rigging was finished off, as well as getting the main sail out of store and onto the boat.
On Friday work continued to complete fitting out R&A with the main sail man handled into position on its boom and gaff. While that was going on Alf investigated the RHIB engine problem (with the help of tools from a local marine workshop). He stripped the lower part of the engine to reveal the suspect pump, which was found to be in questionable condition! He then started to try to find spare parts. Friday afternoon saw the two other trip participants (Chris & John) arriving in Troon (having been warned that there might not be any more diving).
On Saturday the main sail was lifted into position then reefed down, while Alf went off to try and get spare parts for the pump in Glasgow. On his return these were fitted, the engine reassembled and the RHIB put back into the water. However, a brief run revealed that the problem remained, but seemed to be no worse. So, Alf decided to take Chris and John out (at slow speed) so they could also dive the Adheek, which they enjoyed. While they were away work on R&A continued with its ‘Wee Boat (sailing dinghy) being put in the water then roped up and supported on its derrick, to rehydrate her clinker planks overnight.
On Sunday morning Alf’s RHIB was taken out of the water again and washed down ready for the trip back. Then the ‘Wee Boat’ was emptied of accumulated water before being winched up into its position on R&A’s deck. All that remained for our trip then was to get our gear off R&A into the cars, and have the last of Duncan’s wife, Kathryn’s, excellent lunchtime soups. We’d like to make a point of thanking Duncan’s wife Kathryn for these, and all the hot drinks as well as a lovely pasta meal on Saturday evening!
So, the trip didn’t go to the original plan, but we adapted to the prevailing conditions to make the best of what was available! We all enjoyed the trip, and I appreciated living on board this sailing ship. Rick managed to get some videos at various stages of R&A’s fitting out, even if they were on his phone rather than on camera. We hope that our visit will help speed Duncan’s recovery from long Covid and look forward to seeing R&A sailing later in the year!
