Page 89 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

They had used an old hulk moored in a natural harbour between the mud banks where
they slept while on duty and waited for their “clients”.

Our chart told us that as soon as the tide began to fall, this area would form a natural bay
between the mud banks and we could sit at anchor quietly. I needed this so that I could
access the “trap” over the propeller, the trap, was a wooden box located inside the hull in
the stern and about two feet high.
This meant that water came up inside only to the same level as the waterline outside the
hull. Water would not come pouring into the boat, unless the boat was pitching and rolling,
then it would slop over the sides of the box. This box had a watertight lid held in place with
strong clamps.

SAFETY
On the calm Norfolk Broads a fouled propeller was not unusual so the easy access was
necessary. Sea going boats do not normally have this arrangements due to the risk of
accidental flooding, but for us it was crucial as the only alternative was to dive overboard
and swim under the boat with a knife or saw!

The grey cold North Sea at Easter was not the most pleasant place to swim.
This was also a good illustration to our passengers of how important it is to prepare your
boat properly to cope with any eventuality. Being foolhardy and not taking proper
precautions can be life threatening.

I mentioned previously about installing an anchor chain which would naturally have an
anchor attached. We had a folding fisherman pattern anchor which was deemed suitable
for the kind of sea bottom we would encounter locally.
If we travelled further afield we would need a different pattern anchor on board to cope.

The long chain is essential, as when a boat is at anchor, the extended length of chain is
needed to lay on the sea bed to keep the anchor 'sticking in' the bottom ground, as the
boat moves up and down with the action of the sea.

We had all the necessary charts on board for where we were going plus basic navigation
aids. Plus we had life jackets for all and a 'Very' signal pistol for emergencies. This is the
same firearm that I believe James Bond once used to defeat one of his opponents!

CLEARING THE PROBLEM
After a couple of hours waiting for the tide to drop and give us better shelter, we could
access the hatch. I was head down sorting the problem, when our friends who had
departed the town on second level were cruising past!

Picture of Boston Motor Yacht
Club members.....
cruising past!

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