Over the last couple of years, Inland and Coastal have been supporting Mark Ashley-Miller on his epic mission to visit (almost) every harbour master in the UK aboard his intrepid boat Good Dog. Jon Challis, our Sales Manager, decided to join him onboard his boat to learn more about this inimitable sailor and his adventures around the British Isles.
Harbour Master Sailing Challenge
With a mission to raise money for the Seafarer’s Charity, a Portsmouth-based outfit that has been supporting seafarers in need and their families since 1917, Ashley-Miller set himself the ambitious 9000-nautical-mile challenge to visit every harbour master in the British Isles.
The epic five-year journey, which set off from Dartmouth in 2019, saw Ashley-Miller visit 310 harbours and interview 256 harbour masters, capturing their stories, challenges and traditions.
Alongside a total crew of 90 people over the course of the voyage, Ashley-Miller raised an impressive £30,000 for the Seafarer’s Charity, and has now written a book, Harbours and their Masters, chronicling Britain’s extraordinary range of harbours and the varied and wonderful characters that run them.
To get a true sense of his harbour hopping lifestyle, Ashley-Miller invited Jon to join him and his wife, Fiona, for a short passage along a rugged stretch of the Irish west coast, famed for its dramatic cliffs, rocky headlands and swathes of golden beaches.
Here are some excerpts from Jon’s logbook as they sailed aboard Good Dog around this scenic coastal stretch of County Mayo:
Day 1: Monday 7 July – “Arrived at Knock Airport late afternoon and was kindly scooped up by Ian and dropped off with Seamus at his adventure sailing base Bellacragher Boat Club. Seamus is an old friend of Inland and Coastal and he kindly ferried me out to Good Dog anchored in the bay. Mark and his wife Fiona immediately made me welcome aboard with a hearty supper and I enjoyed a good first night’s sleep in the cosy forepeak berth of a Nauti Kat 33.”
Day 2: Tuesday 8 July – “Amid a cool grey morning, we sat over a lazy breakfast waiting for the tide to rise and let us pass safely from our inland anchorage. As the tide continued to flood Achill Sound, we had to push hard through the Bulls Mouth into the wider expanse of Black Sod Bay. We arrived in the setting sunshine at Black Sod quay where we found a tap and filled the tanks with water. I discovered water is a prized commodity on a boat and should be taken aboard wherever possible. Ian jumped aboard here, and we anchored off the quay for the night, enjoying another hot meal and some very good red wine Ian had brought with him.”
Day 3: Wednesday 9 July – “On pulling up the anchor in Black Sod, we swung south for a great sail across the bay where we were entertained by a pod of 20 or so Dolphins. Rounding Saddle Head – where the west coast meets the lonely Atlantic swell – the cliffs rise 600m straight out the sea … Very dramatic. Even in these large, confused seas we came across a single wandering Sunfish – a strange, pre-historic looking large fish, something like a cross between a flounder and dolphin!
“We were all pleased to round Achill Head and slip into the picturesque Keem Bay for a well-earned lunch. Finally, coming to anchor later on in Achill Sound South, we rustled up another hot meal. Mark is well versed at getting his crew involved with his trips. Encouraged by another glass (or two) of wine, I accepted the challenge of planning the next day’s passage to West Port
Day 4: Thursday 10 July – “My passage plan required an early 4.00am start to make our berth near the centre of Westport. A big plus of this early start was witnessing the dawn break over the mountains on the way into Westport. Once safely tied up to the small-town quay, we all enjoyed a midday siesta, and then rallied to explore the town and enjoy a few beers in the evening sunshine.”
Day 5: Friday 11 July – “Up for my final breakfast aboard before setting off to catch the bus from Westport to Knock airport for my flight home – not before enjoying a chat with Paddington who was waiting for the same bus! A big thanks to Mark, Fiona and the Good Dog for looking after me.”
To coincide with the official launch of his book, Harbours and their Masters at the Southampton International Boat Show in September, Mark will be sailing Good Dog from the north of Scotland in time for the show. As part of the launch, Mark will be welcoming show goers to step on board Good Dog and talk about his adventures and travails at sea.
To discover all about Mark’s Harbour Master Sailing Challenge, route maps and fun facts, visit www.harbourmastersailingchallenge.co.uk
If you are interested in learning more about the Seafarer’s Charity, visit www.theseafarerscharity.org
