Coastguard Scott, District Officer of Shoreham area, told us that before the small boat age most of their work began in force 7 conditions, but now that we encourage passage sailing in dinghies there is more need for his attention between force 3 and 6. He was not critical of our form of sailing: “How could I be,” he said, “when I enjoy doing it myself?”, but he did add, “If you care to sail, sail with care.”

Mr Scott has 25 years experience and now shepherds the coast from Rye to Portsmouth. He invited us to complete their Passage Form CG 66 — copies are available from the DCA Library (Mrs D Peters, 5 Byerley Close Westbourne, Emsworth, Hants) — which gives your description, capability and intentions. If there is no time to post this, the information can be telephoned. Once you have passed this information, your passage will be watched by every lookout; if you fail to report a safe landfall the coastguard may alert all shipping in your area, order a helicopter search and have a Shackleton take off at dawn to direct rescue boats.

A gigantic effort to us, but to those who watch for us, just part of the service; but we don’t get all this for nothing. In exchange we MUST undertake to notify the coastguard of any change of plan, however inconvenient this may be.

The meeting discussed the problem of reaching a telephone from some remote and muddy creek of the type in which dinghy sailors run for shelter, but found no alternative to the solemn declaration, those who ask for Form 66 protection promise to KEEP TO THE PROGRAMME or INFORM THE COASTGUARD OF ANY CHANGE.

LONDON MEETING 29th January 1971

About thirty members enjoyed listening to a relaxed David Pyle chatting his way from Chichester to Darwin, treating the crossing to the French Coast as a necessary first leg to his exciting voyage.

This was not the first account we have had of an adventurous skipper pushing his well-equipped dinghy over massive distances of sea, but this one was primarily a coastal cruise which not only adds people and customs to the story, but brings parts of it nearer to our own activities, enabling those of us who dream, to identify our little efforts with David’s magnificent achievement.

We are proud to have had him amongst us and wish him luck with his future plans.