I am 50 years old and have been fishing for many years now. I would like to go fishing most weekends in the summer months, weather allowing.
I have a brand new boat, an Orkney 520 which is a good stable sea boat which can achieve 22 knots.
I have passed RYA Day Skipper and Yachtmaster shore based courses and I have also RYA Powerboat Level II.
The boat is fully fitted out with main and auxillary outboards, licensed VHF radio, fishfinder and GPS. The vessel was "Sea Checked" by the RNLI in February 2001 and acheived a Gold award. Subscription to the RNLI lifeboat offshore scheme is continuous. Lifejackets are available but a flotatation suit is recommended.
Launching is by tractor at Beadnell in Northumberland, usually around 9am returning before 6pm. All that is required on recovery is getting the trailer to the boat and keeping her steady.
As I live near Chester le Street and can't leave gear on the boat we have to set away around 7am.
It is still an excellent day out.
We have a no smoking policy whilst at sea in the interest of safety but this is allowed at all other times.
Costs include £9.50 for launching permit/tractor. Around £20 for fuel depending on use. £2 per day for car parking, and of course bait requirements at cost. Travel to and from the Chester le Street area is free providing that help is forthcoming.
The vessel is fully insured but this does not include chartering and so this is purely on a shared expenses basis.
The catch is always shared more or less equally even if one catches more than anyone else as we have only have room for one fish box.
We manufacture our own lead weights and any contribution of time or lead is always accepted.
As captain of the vessel any decision made regarding cancellation or early curtailment is binding on everyone and this will still mean sharing expenses.