Dandelion 109

 

The lowing horns fall silent, as a morning sea fog lifts abruptly. The tide pours in, over the cill. Stargazer's weekend neighbour prepares for sea. Aboard his JPK 1030 race boat. Fresh from a refit at the Lorient yard.

They are bound for their home port of Helsinki, Finland. Sailing one up, aboard this renowned speedster of the seas. The design is too deep and wide to fit into the finger berths, on which Stargazer (with blue stripe) lies. Instead they have been rafted on the 'hammerhead' (end of the pontoon). Although, truth be told, the harbour is so congested, that mutual coooperation is required, for any of us to move from our berths.

Thrice daily, the Condor fast ferry enters this melee. A picture of futuristic calm and control. Seemingly unfazed, as departing vessels jump the red port control lights. To scuttle across its bows.

Whilst others, rocketing down the Little Russel on the tide, target her stern. As she slows, in her final approach.

A picture of serenity, the towering catamaran glides through the harbour entrance. Into a port which it seems to fill. Putting the boat handling challenges, of small craft, inside the cill into perspective.

As she performs a pirouette, in little more than her own length, under the practiced command of her skipper.