AFTER a thousand miles, gale force winds and engine trouble, the two boats taking part in Britain's first Sailathon were back in their home berths this week.

The trip up the east coast of Britain from Greenwich Yacht Club on the Thames, to Port Edgar YC on the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh, and back will raise thousands of pounds for charity.

It involved nearly 50 people for the two boats Orolong and Flying Free. While Flying Free enjoyed a relatively easy passage home, it was a different story for Orolong.

Engine trouble forced her to make port in Blyth in Northumberland, delaying her for two days. Then she had to take refuge in Whitby from gales, where she tied up alongside a replica of Captain Cook's famous ship Endeavour whose next port of call will be Greenwich.

She was forced to take refuge from gales again in Felixstowe where more work was done to the engines.

Flying the Royal National Mission for Deep Sea Fishermen's flag, Orolong attracted huge crowds and lots of press attention in all the fishing ports. She is now tied up at Bugsby's Reach, near the Millennium Dome. Skipper Paul Woodhead plans to publish a book on the event, with proceeds going to Demelza House children's hospice and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

July 8, 2002 19:00