Survivor

As part of our emergency training one of our regular exercises is a man overboard drill.  On our way back from Colonsay, with our four passengers on board, we took the opportunity to throw poor old Bill over the side and do a realistic drill.  Maybe not entirely realistic as it's not everyone who thinks to take an empty 25 L plastic drum with him when he goes on an unintended swim.

Last night you may have watched An Island Parish, a programme on BBC2 about everyday folk on the island of Barra.  One of the individuals featured was Captain Michael McNeil.  He was shown organising a fishing competition on the island where unfortunately he managed to end last and was duly awarded the wooden spoon marked loser.  He was sitting next to me in our Mess Room as we watched as he is on board here relieving for the usual skipper who is on holiday.  On the day they managed to catch nearly a ton of fish which was distributed amongst the assembled islanders and tourists.