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"SHEARWATER" the Luxury Charter Cruiser |
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A very busy 2006 saw us leaving Pwllheli on no less than 119 separate voyages. Media work was featured prominently. During May we hosted presenter Huw Llewellyn Davies and the crew of the Channel S4C programme “Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol”, a Welsh Television programme very similar to “Songs of Praise”. |
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In the summer we were involved in the making of a BBC Radio Cymru series of programmes “taith Galwad Cynnor” celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Llyn Peninsula being designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The programmes featured local historians, biologists, geologists and wildlife specialists describing the local area. The team also obtained superb recordings of breeding seabirds and wailing seals. |
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In September, we again hosted the BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Wales production teams, making programmes featuring Sarn Badrig. Sarn Badrig, (or St. Patrick’s Causeway), is a remnant of the Ice Age, being a causeway made up of glacial deposits that extend many miles into Cardigan Bay from a point north of Barmouth. With the aid of an unusually low tide, we used “Shearwater’s” tender to land presenters Gerallt Pennant and Iolo Williams on Sarn Badrig, together with a number of scientists to explain the geology and ecology of this very special feature.
BBC presenters Iolo Williams and Gerallt Pennant on the Fly-bridge |
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The team ashore on Sarn Badrig |
Returning team members to “Shearwater” after the unique visit to Sarn Badrig |
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One of “Shearwater’s” more interesting charters during 2005 was having the BBC Bristol Wildlife Unit aboard, filming part of the superbly produced “Coast” series of programmes, featured on BBC2. Their particular interest in our area was the annual incidence of huge numbers of the Rhysostoma (or Barrel) Jellyfish in this part of Cardigan Bay. This huge creature can measure 75 cm across the bell and weigh over 25 kg. The Rhysostoma jellyfish is the favourite food of the largest of all turtles, the Leatherback. Although it breeds in the Caribbean, the Leatherback is fully adapted to our waters, is considered a native species and spends much of its life here. They are unique in being the only warm-blooded reptile. There are records of Leatherback turtles being found in Welsh waters going back centuries. There was one stranded here in the late 1980’s measuring 9 ½ feet long (nearly 3m) and weighing 916 kg, nearly a tonne (over 2000lb).
Rhysostoma Jellyfish viewed from the deck of “Shearwater”
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By popular demand from our regular customers over the last 2 years of our operation, we now offer a 6.15 p.m. evening cruise, where the fabulous coastal scenery can be viewed in the light of the setting sun.
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"This year the extremely clear waters have enabled our guests to obtain spectacular photographs of the dolphins as they accompany "Shearwater" beneath the surface. |
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On 16 July, some 5 miles from
Bardsey Island, we saw a distressed young Gannet, with its bill entangled
in some 3 metres of thick nylon rope. With "Shearwater" motoring
astern, Roy, standing on the diving platform, was able to catch the Gannet
using a boat-hook and bring it aboard. In the process, the ungrateful
young gannet gave Roy a nasty bite. Using a Stanley Knife, with a team
of 3 restraining the bird, Roy was able to carefully cut away the rope,
both inside and outside the bill. The bird was then released and flew
away, apparently none the worse for the ordeal. |
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The Gannet and Roy - bloodied but unbowed |
The liberated Gannet on it's take-off run |
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Ginny Buckley (rear - centre) leaving Pwllheli Harbour aboard "Shearwater" with our cruise guests during the filming of the BBC TV "Holiday Programme". |
Kevin O'Donnell of Ecclestone Sub-Aqua Club (BS-AC) on the first ever dive from 'Shearwater' off the west coast of Bardsey Island on the Lleyn Peninsula of Gwynedd, North Wales. |
Shearwater
Contact Information
Alan and Susie Gray,
Crud yr Arwel, Mynytho, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 7RS
Tel: +44 (0) 1758-740899 Mobile: +44 (0) 7815-717241
Email: alan@llynmarinecharters.com
(please copy and paste this email address into your emailer to contact us)
Web Site: www.llynmarinecharters.supanet.com
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© 2001- Last revised: 1st April , 2008
Web Master Email: info@llanbedrog.info
