PL Scilly to Brest

Paul Merriman

My first overnight passage across the Channel and couldn’t have asked for a better one or better company. Left St Mary’s late afternoon as planned and headed south with a good 17/18 kts on our starboard quarter. This meant concentration needed on helming to avoid gybing as we rolled up and down the swell. We had chicken curry to fortify us around 8pm then started 3 person watch pattern at 9pm - 2 on 1 off so on for 6 out of 9 hrs. I was off first so has 0000-0600 watch - deep in the shipping and fishing areas. The fishing boats would switch on AIS as we approached and appear suddenly. The large cargo ships were more visible but CPA tricky to use as our heading kept changing in the swell. As light came up around 0430 we started to see the lighthouse off Ouissant and confirmed we were further west than desired - also a bit late on plan to make Chanal du Four but some motoring got us back on track (whilst I was unconscious below!). Came through Chanal de Helle and entered Brest after lunch. Straightforward visitor berth near the sea wall.