They've moved the Shambles!

Published 11:01 on 11 May 2013

If, like me, you were beginning to congratulate yourself on your improved boatspeed to the Shambles, you will no doubt be mortified to hear (as I was) that the East Shambles cardinal mark has been moved a bit nearer to Weymouth. ItÄôs now official Äì having stormed out there heavily reefed in a brisk force 6 I was confident of a record time, but passing close to it on Friday afternoon, I logged a position of N50¬ 31Äô. 274 W002¬ 20Äô.1, which you will see when you compare it with your handbook means a shift northwards of a bit under half a mile.Having proceeded a mile or so to seaward to recover my composure with a cup of tea, I tacked to head back to Weymouth and saw the Border Agency patrol vessel coming across towards Portland. After I had crossed her track she began steaming back eastwards, and then began following me! With lingering memories of offshore encounters with French customs, I awaited developments Äì then a crewmember popped out of the wheelhouse with a sign suggesting I went to VHF channel 8, and we had a conversation in which they asked for my last port of call, to which I replied ÄòWeymouthÄô, though it occurred to me that for all they seemed to know I might have just crossed the Channel with a crew of economic migrantsĶ

Last updated 15:13 on 28 July 2025