Date: Wednesday 24th September, 2008
Anchorage: Tobermory
Position: 56° 38’.100N 006° 03’.700W
Distance Travelled: 37 NM

Away from Moidart, and transecting towards Tobermory and the end of the last trip of the 2008 season. It’s a trip that’s been pretty blessed really – good weather, plenty of animals, and a great team of volunteers and crew. Seas and skies were calm again today, and we had a lovely close minke whale encounter on our way home, in amongst our usual friends of seals and harbour porpoises. A good clean of the boat was followed by an epic dinner, and sad farewells. Thank to you this group of volunteers, and to all those who’ve given their all on Silurian this season. It’s been a busy, successful season, and we quite literally could not have done it without you.

Susie, Science Officer


Date: Tuesday 23rd September, 2008
Anchorage: Loch Moidart
Position: 56° 47’.200N 005° 50’.200W
Distance Travelled: 54 NM

Well, the end is near as today was our last full day at sea. Tomorrow we will make our way back to Tobermory Harbour. Our time together has just flown by, filled with many happy memories.

The day started at the small isle of Canna, with slightly overcast skies, but the sea looked calm. As we left the harbour, some of the seals made a haunting keening sound, as if they were sad to see us leave. We began surveying for the day at 9am and saw a few seals and harbour porpoises, occasionally. The cliffs of Rum were spectacular and the light shining upon the valley at Eigg stunning. At one point between Rum and Eigg we came across a plastic drum that must have escaped from a mussel farm. We tried to haul it aboard, but it was filled with water and too heavy to lift. So we abandoned it and at the same time a Customs boat was soon racing our way to investigate what we were up to. Completely innocent, of course, but gave us some excitement for the day. The rest of the day raced by and we were soon arriving at Loch Moidart for the evening. As soon as we were anchored, a party went ashore to explore a ruined castle on a bluff . The evening was gorgeous and we were treated with a beautiful sunset.

Our final supper on board Silurian was haggis, neaps, tatties and a wonderful whisky sauce with onions. It was enjoyed by all (as far as I know).

It was a full, rich day .

Danielle


Date: Monday 22nd September, 2008
Anchorage: Isle of Canna
Position: 57° 03’.200N 006° 29’.800W
Distance Travelled: 50 NM

Hours of watching the sea with hope finally paid off and rather spectacularly! Our efforts were rewarded with the sighting of a northern bottlenose whale early in the day to whet our appetites, followed shortly by a minke. But the piece de resistance came in a party of not one, not ten, not thirty, but at least fifty jumping, diving, beautiful, rubbery, shiny, playful common dolphins, attracted to the boat and eager to, what can be described by nothing else other than play! Wonderful, wonderful day, imprinted firmly on our memories.

Ellie