Jangling Nerves in Den Helder

18^th June

A few days after my 70^th Birthday!

Yesterday I visited the Den Helder Marine Museum and wow …. Is it worth a visit!  Like the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam the Dutch do these things very well indeed.

The highlights were the Submarine ‘Tonijn’ and the Minesweeper ‘Abraham Crijnssen’.  The entire Bridge of the HLNMS ‘De Ruyter’ is also exhibited.

18th June ‘Tonijn’

18th June ‘Tonijn’

‘Abraham Crijnssen’ engineered a spectacular escape from the Japanese in WW2

18th June the entire Bridge of the HLNMS ‘De Ruyter’

HLNMS ‘De Ruyter’

But to see a Cold War Submarine with virtually everything still in place from her serving days was remarkable.  The two volunteer Museum staff in the submarine had something about them.  ‘Would you like to ask some questions?’  I said I had too many to ask but when they realised I had some modest understanding and huge interest in submarines, we talked and talked.  Both had served 9 years and 11 years respectively on this actual submarine.  I could have listened all day.

18th June

Forward torpedo tubes

18th June

18th June I’m told 63 crew and no-one had to share a bunk.  Everyone had their own mattress!

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18th June

18th June

18th June the Commanding Officer’s Cabin

18th June … no feeling of claustrophobia I’d felt on older submarines I had visited.

18th June Crew could shower once a week!!

18th June

18th June

They recommended I read a book, translated into English, ‘In Deepest Secrecy’ by Jaime Karremann, a Dutchman, who researched the Cold War and interviewed submariners.  Both submariners at the museum were full of praise for the book.  I think both were interviewed by the author at some point.  It’s ordered and I’ll receive it when I get home.

I filled the diesel tank and freshwater tank.  Just to be clear NOT the Submarines! 🙂  So ready to start heading home.  The marina on Texel seemed very pricey!  So, I might pop across and anchor.  Either way I must check out here and the Military Police obligingly come to the boat!

I’ve already met one of them.  I’m madly in love.  She was absolutely lovely without a hint of officialdom in her uniform.  “Why don’t you fly a single-handed flag?”  I told her that I did not think there was such a thing but then realised some solo sailors fly the No 1 flag!  White with a red circle in the middle.

I said that flying that flag would in some way display vulnerability.  That I was disabled.  That I should be given help in some way.  I did not agree it should be flown!  It indicates incapacity.  Don’t put to sea if you and the ship are not fit for the passage you are going to make!  Should I fly a flag saying I’m over 70 now?

18th June ‘Talisker 1’ Den Helder Naval Marina KMJC

18th June … the cockpit awning is UP!

18th June the Marina staff are incredibly friendly

18th June

18th June

18^th June 2035 CEST

I am waiting for a weather window to sail to East Anglia, probably towards Lowestoft. This sort of passage I have made so many times before, yet the nerves have begun to jangle as they have, predeparture, on every leg of this cruise and as far back as I can remember.  I am an experienced ordinary sailor who takes pride in good seamanship.

Casting off, my goal is simple, however long, or short the passage might be. A quiet, boring, uneventful passage will mean it has been a safe passage, and that is what I aim for every time.

I have had to relearn my own limitations following my Heart Block. I know how good my boat is, and I know her limitations too. Despite some quite high technology on board, I must have pilot books and up-to-date paper charts.  They are my primary navigational tools.

My ability to improvise is essential when putting to sea, and mine has been proven … at least to date.  Without this key ingredient, I should not be out there. Add to that my knowledge earned with many … nay, tens of thousands of … nautical miles.

The nerves will be gone the moment I cast off, lines and fenders stowed.  In the meantime, like most experienced sailors, I suffer.  Then there are the arrival nerves and by that time I might be tired.  So concentration will be at the maximum until safely at anchor or alongside.

The butterflies don’t improve with age and experience.