Lerwick (Shetlands) - Helgoland
Entry Date: 16.08.2026, at 22:30:00 hrs (local)
Low Tide in Anstruther Harbour
| PRID: | 13387 |
|---|---|
| LegID: | 372 |
| LegNo: | 114 |
| Latitude: | N056°13.27' |
| Longitude: | W002°41.89' |
| Day#: | 114 |
| Log (Day): | 87 nm |
| Log (Leg): | 256 nm |
| Log (Total): | 88920 nm |
Unfortunately, our preferred berth on the floating pontoon is not available, so we have no choice but to tie up alongside the concrete quay. With a tidal range of more than five metres, this is quite a challenge. Long mooring lines have to be rigged with weights acting as springs, keeping SuAn safely in position while allowing for the enormous change in water level between high and low tide.
After a good two hours, we are reasonably happy with our setup. Heavy sections of old anchor chain serve as weights and springs, while also protecting the mooring lines from the rough concrete edge of the quay. Fenderboards protect our fenders from being slowly ground away against the rough, barnacle-covered wall.
And then the water begins to disappear.
Slowly, but relentlessly, almost a metre every hour.
What will we find underneath us?
Will the harbour bottom be flat? Soft? Will SuAn settle safely on her two keels, or are we in for an unpleasant surprise?
As the water level drops, our anticipation grows. Finally, the moment arrives: SuAn touches the bottom.
And she stands there : surprisingly upright and perfectly stable on her two keels.
What a relief.
With the biggest worry out of the way, we allow ourselves to head to the pub for a well-earned beer.
This is the first time on our entire journey that we have seen a harbour completely emptied of water by the tide. With our twin-keel boat, we have exactly the right vessel for the conditions. But even so, watching an entire harbour disappear beneath the falling tide is something that takes a little getting used to.
A spectacular reminder of the power of the tides – and another unforgettable moment on our journey.
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