Holding tank issues

When shutting down the previous week we noticed the holding tank gauge was showing “full”. This was a puzzle because we had never (knowingly) used the tank,

I tried pumping out which proved 2 things:

• The holding tank discharge pump was leaking
• There was some content in the tank.

Had Alan switched the discharge to the tank when he put in the electric loo? We were fairly sure he had not, but we decided that we had to get the tank emptied at a shore station, and then look at the issues during the winter.  We discovered that the pumpout at Warsash had been non-op for a couple of years, and the only other facility nearby was at Bursledon where Premier wanted £10 fee for discharge. Alan thought that Shepherds Wharf may still be operational, but warned that the discharge berth had a tricky access.

Not only was She[herds holding tank pumpout operational, but it was free. That would offset the extra fuel needed to get there, and I resented the attitude at Premier.So on 8th Sept, Dairne and I took Teal to Cowes. The tide was slack, and there was a slight southerly wind. This made berthing on the cross-tode pumpout berth fairly easy, particularly with the help of the shore staff In the event, there was only a small amount of material in the tank. We were back on the mooring by 1800.

On the following day I was principal Race Officer for Todds Double racing event at Marchwood.

The  morning of the 10th was calm and sunny, but a gale was forecast “later”. We packed up quickly and I ran Dairne home in car before getting Teal back on the mooring by 1045. The wind was laready starting to increase.