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Eleven of the Rally Portugal fleet are now berthed together at the pretty Mylor Marina in Falmouth Estuary, whilst the remaining four yachts that departed from Plymouth (Ailsa, Gertha 4, Moonstream & Murphy) have decided to hop across to Camaret in north west France for a few days until Biscay becomes more approachable again.
Following forecasts of very strong low pressure systems tracking across the whole of the Bay of Biscay for the latter part of this week, the decision was made to keep the rally ashore for the time being.
The fleet were naturally keen to get going however, so the Rally team have organised alongside berthing in the well-known sailing town of Falmouth, where the boats will stay for the next few days.
Positioned some 40nm further west down the coast from Plymouth, Falmouth has the dual advantage of giving both an arguably better starting angle to cross the Biscay, as well as providing a fantastic base to explore ashore whilst the fleet wait for the weather to improve.
All the boats reported a good day’s sailing yesterday down the coast from Plymouth to Falmouth, having set off around 1000 local time from Mayflower Marina. The fleet started to arrive at Mylor from 1500, and all but one were safely berthed alongside the specially reserved section of pontoon by 1730.
A few miles out from Falmouth estuary, the last rally yacht to arrive, Usquabae of Fife, had unfortunately got caught in the lines of a poorly marked lobster pot whilst under sail, which resulted in ropes around their rudder and prevented them from making progress.
After an hour attempting to free themselves, the RNLI inshore lifeboat was deployed to assist Usquabae, who were a few miles offshore. To ensure a safe passage into harbour, the lifeboat towed Usquabae all the way in, safely placing them right alongside the pontoon next to the rest of the Rally fleet at around 2030hrs, to a fantastic welcome from all the other Rally participants who had gathered to help out. 
The RNLI crew didn't stop there however, and with the boat safely tied alongside, the crew promptly donned wetsuits and jumped in to try and cut the fouled rope from Usquabae's rudder. After a while trying, most the rope had been cleared and the RNLI crews departed to an appreciative cheer and applause from the Rally Portugal participants on the dockside.
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