It was a perfect film-set evening. A giant orb of deep-orange sun hung just over the skyline of Rye. The still, calm water glistened with its reflection as fishing boats rippled past. It was a huge privilege to spend the evening with our harbour master, James Bateman, and his able crew, to see a cargo vessel out of Rye and on to its next destination.
There have been a fair number of vessels in this past week, and the CM Coast registered in Monrovia, a smaller boat at just 78m (some are 90m, the maximum length), had unloaded her cargo of aggregates earlier, and was awaiting the high tide before her onward passage to Plymouth for the next collection.
An hour before high water, James mustered his crew and readied the harbour boat, Rother IV, into action. Andi Rivett, as port controller, was left in charge of radio comms at the harbour office. His job is also to observe safe passage along the Rother of any visiting yachts or fishing boats, calling them to halt until the cargo ship has made her way out to sea. On board the Rother IV alongside James was Karl Sandercock, deputy harbour master, Alan Davies, engineer, and Stuart Hobbs, linesman.
James captained the Rother IV across the river to the CM coast and delivered Karl safely on board to pilot the ship out of the channel and Stuart to assist with the mooring lines. Given how narrow the river Rother is at that point, it is an incredible sight to watch how effortlessly 78m of huge steel ship can be swung about-turn with a combination of skilful piloting, rope control, and bow thrusters so that the CM Coast could face out to sea.
We pick up Stuart and followed CM Coast out at a safe distance, watching the last of the evening walkers with dogs on the shore, swooping sea birds, plus the odd sleeping heron on the marker posts. Once over the bar, and maintaining a steady 5 knots, James pulls alongside the CM coast and Karl, who has handed control back to the captain of the ship, descends down a steel ladder safely back on board the Rother IV. We wave goodbye to the CM Coast crew. The harbour boat turns on a sixpence and heads back to her mooring as the sun hides behind the silhouette of Rye and finally descends into a purple, crepuscular light. Rother IV is closed down for the night as the crew tie her up with bow, stern and spring lines.
All safely back on shore, there is a short de-brief between the crew and a good night to all.
Of course, this is as perfect as it gets. We must remember that our brave harbour crew go out in all weathers at all times of the day or night. Time and tide wait for no man, and this is true of shipping into our port. Vessels enter at their own discretion and over 30 knots of wind and they are unlikely to make the manoeuvre. Similarly, high water can be at 2, 3, 4am on a cold and windy winter’s morning, but our boys are still out there assuring safe passage into the port for visiting ships.
We are lucky to have such a dedicated, experienced and steadfast team at the port of Rye. James has been harbour master since 2011 and makes everything look effortless and highly professional. This is a side of Rye that very few of us get to see, but are privileged to have on board. Thank you all for allowing me to observe on board tonight.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , James Stewart , Rebekah Gilbert .