Bangor, Northern Ireland

I had sailed Distant Horizon to Bangor, Northern Ireland with no engine. The winds and sailing were good… Until I reached the outer limits of Belfast Lough. It was 9:30pm. I could see the lighthouse on Mew Island ahead. It guards the south east corner of the Belfast Lough.

Mew Island Lighthouse

As I rounded the lighthouse I was watching the shoreline. I could not find a distinguishing landmark. It should take just one hour to reach Bangor. I should reach it just before sunset. However, the wind was easing. I had to ghost along. Watching the shoreline for harbor lights or a group of masts.

Nothing… The sun had set. It was getting a little darker. I finally found the red light marking the channel into the harbor. I still had a little ways to go.

When I finally arrived, it was 11:30pm. The weather was calm. So, I anchored outside the harbor walls for the night.

In the morning, I called the marina and arranged to be towed in. Brian came out in his boat. He confirmed what the problem was. After hearing my story about bobbing like an anchor on the ocean with no wind, he commented on my bravery. Then, he tossed a line for me to tie to my boat. Once I was safely at the dock, Brian said he was not going to charge me for the tow… I had paid my dues out there (the ocean).

A Dutch man whose boat was docked next to Distant Horizon heard me talking with the guys that towed me in. Later, after everyone had left and I had checked into the marina, The Dutch man confirmed what my problem was. He looked at me and said, “You and me… we can get your engine started”. We made plans to give it one more try.

We would start the next morning. If we didn’t get the engine started, I still had time to start looking for a mechanic. Also, I would have time to get a solid night’s sleep before addressing the issue.

Long story short… we got the engine running after about three hours working on it. Problem solved!

Having reached safety, and my biggest problem solved, I wanted a few days rest to recuperate.

There was one more matter to be addressed regarding the boat. I had a broken seacock. Luckily, it was broken in the closed position. I needed to have that replaced.

A seacock is a valve that exits outside the boat. For instance, the galley sink has to drain somewhere. So, the sink drain goes to a seacock to allow the sink to drain out. It has a valve so it can be closed; preventing sea water from coming into the boat.

I talked with the boatyard. In ten days time, the boat yard would be closed. They were all going on holiday. The chief mechanic said he could haul out Distant Horizon on Tuesday of the next week and and try to fit her in.

On Tuesday morning, Charlie from the marina came with me on Distant Horizon as we moved her to the boatyard next door. Tommy, also came, but in the marina’s workboat. He followed just in case there was trouble with the engine.

For the rest of the week, I just relaxed, recuperated, and had a pint or two of Guinness.

Distant Horizon at the Boatyard Dock

The engine ran fine, but it was great to have such good support at hand.

By mid-morning, Distant Horizon was on land once again. She would sit there until the work was completed. The clock was ticking. At the close of business on Saturday, the boatyard closes for two weeks.

Since the boat was in the boatyard and I could not stay on it, I stayed at a B&B. What a great experience! A clean comfortable bed, a great breakfast and very hospitable hosts.