Though it wasn't known at the time both James Darling and your web master both sailed on the MANANNAN Round the Island Cruise on July 29, 2009. This was the second RTI arranged for the MANANNAN in 2009. He previous cruise in late June having sold out quickly. The July 29 cruise went "north about" to complete an anticlockwise circumnavigation of the Isle of Man. This routing made best use of the weather and available light.
MANANNAN sailed at around 23knots until just beyond Point Of Ayre when there was a sudden downpour - though the sky had been threatening for some time. Speed was then increased to the vessel's normal cruising speed. The torrential remain remained with the vessel as it ran down the west coast of the Isle of Man only clearing away around the time the Calf of Man lighthouses were passed. As Langness was passed on the east coast the late evening sun made a dramatic and colourful punctuation of the heavy clouds. A record of times and speeds made by your webmaster using a GPS is shown below.
Departing Douglas
Passing Laxey
East Coast Wake
Maughold Lighthouse
Ramsey - SILVER RIVER just visible
Point of Ayre
Baltic Sail Training Lugger LOVIS
From the upper open deck before the rain.
Dramatic lighting as the sun broke through for an unusual sunset.
RTI Timings and Speeds
Douglas 18:58
Laxey 19:16 @ 24.8k
Maughold Lighthouse 19:30 @ 25.4k
Ramsey (Queens Pier) 19:37 @ 23.6k
Point of Ayre 19:49 @ 24.9k
Jurby 20:19 (heavy rain) @ 37.7k
Peel 20:29 (heavy rain) @ 36k
Port Erin 20:44 @ 35k
Calf Light 20:50 @ 36.2k
Port St. Mary 20:57 @ 35.3k
Langness 21:04 @ 33.2k
Douglas 21:30
Off Ronaldsway
Arriving back at Douglas
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