The dreaded diesel bug.

"Diesel bug, also known as fuel bug, is a term for microbial contamination of diesel fuel, primarily caused by the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the presence of water. This contamination can lead to blocked filters, corroded fuel lines, and even engine failure."

Google AI description.

The bug is becoming more prevalent as they love bio-diesel and is a particular problem in boats due to condensation and for many low usage. If the strands, alive or dead, get sucked into the pick up pipe they will quickly block the filters and stop the engine and that most often happens in rough seas when you least want it.

Fuel Treatments:

Have two purposes, to kill the bug and to disperse it into very fine particles that will pass through the filters and injectors to be burnt in the engine. Good ones will also reduce water in the fuel that the bugs need. Most treatments do both and if used in a high "killer" dose will kill most, but not all, quickly. The treatment I use is one of the best all rounders although it doesn't kill quite as quickly as some. I chose it largely because it is the go-to treatment for the fishermen of Newlyn. To be on the safe side I always use the "killing" dose as soon as the fuel goes into the can and often before, as in the great scheme of things, its not that expensive and you can't overdose.

Coming round from Fishguard to Dale I got it. My Facebook post: 

Diesel Bug! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 Earlier I decanted some diesel into the tank and in the can were the remains of diesel bug. Hopefully dead as I always put a double dose of Fuelset in with it. I haven’t had any red diesel in it since Kirkwall and only once before at Howth outbound, so unless it has been lurking there since and I have not seen it then it has come from a roadside fuel station. 

It’s a yellow plastic can [that was new this year] and the crud was easily visible so I don’t think it’s been there that long.

I have put a precautionary massive dose of Fuelset into the tank (you can’t overdose) but I am going to have to get 40+ litres of fuel out of the tank, open it up and clean the whole system which will be a big and very awkward job but at least it is possible with the new stainless tank, unlike the previous bladder tank, and I’m close to base and not 500 miles away.

Whilst anchored at Dale waiting to go into the marina I first checked a second can that was filled at the same time, it was clean. It is a bit of a mystery because the infected can has never been empty for long and it has been cycled fairly frequently and has always had a big does of treatment, so I don't know why it grew in the can and I would have thought fuel pumps would filter out at least the large particles. 

I decided it would be a good idea to change the preliminary filter. Facebook post:

I didn’t want to risk the engine conking out going back to the marina so I changed the preliminary filter, not my favourite job as the seal on the Delhi filter is not easy to get in place and it needs a lot of pumping to bleed the system.

Previously I have always thought I had wasted my time [and money] as the filters were always clean. Not this time. The filter was replaced before this cruise so I’m in for some work cleaning the whole system:

The filter opened up, I have never before seen anything other
than the odd spot.

And in the water trap, previously that has always been clean.

This would suggest that some seriously contaminated fuel was introduced earlier this year, the prime suspects would be red diesel from Howth or Kirkwall where turnover would be less than the service stations I have used this year (Milford Haven, Tobermory, Stromness, Stornoway, Tobermory a second time and Ardglass).

The next steps will be to test the fuel to make sure it is all dead and then to open up the tank for inspection and cleaning which is going to be a sod of a job.

To be continued.

2025 June 21st, Day 84. To Dale.

 DRAFT 

My Facebook post says why:

Another change of plan. I thought it might happen when I saw the models last evening but was tired so left it till this morning to run the numbers.

The ecmwf and ukmo agree that the only days in the next week without 15 knots or more of SW winds are today (before evening) and probably Wednesday with a gale Thursday/ Friday.

That would be at best uncomfortable getting south so I am heading for Milford today and will sort out the marina issue later, possibly going into Nayland for the gale, sounds daft but cheaper than loosing my discount.

Ramsey Sound this morning then either outside Skomer or wait till this evening to go through Jack Sound this evening, probably the former as F5 is forecast this evening or overnight. The bad news is mist or fog ahead [and rain], but that should clear before it’s a problem and probably some rain c mid day.

Going round in 15 + knots of wind would also take 2 - 3 times as long due to "stopping" seas, having to take a longer route as short cuts would likely be dangerous and not being able to get round in one tide.

I was away at 07:20 having checked the tides etc. There was a bit of mist, no wind, calm sea and the prospect of rain but with the following tide I made very quick progress past Strumble Head.

Unusually Strumble Head light flashes all day.

Ramsey Sound, needs care but is not difficult even at half tide when it is strongest - providing it is with you! One day after neaps I had time to take some videos whilst the autopilot and plotter did the ahrd work using my pre-planned route from the last time I cam through.

St Davids head and the entrance to the Sound.

Entering The Sound, "The Bitches" reef ahead.

Ramsey Sound, with the neap tide there was only 
1-2 knots of tide most of the way through and
only briefly 3 - 4 knots near "the Bitches".

It had started to rain as I exited the sound and the new oilskins and boots got a test, they were completely dry but the boots could be a little "sweaty" and really need two pairs of socks, as I had allowed for. The rain was patchy until Skomer then it was a straight forward sail down Broad Sound and although I missed the tide at St Ann's Head the adverse tide was only a little over a knot so no bid deal in the calm water. This time through there were no pot buoys to contend with so I was able to go close in and anchored at 14:00.

28 miles in six and a half hours.

Well I guess that is the official end of the years first cruise, where I left from at the end of March, 1,602.1 nautical miles over the ground. And 8 years to the day since I launched Sancerre the day after assuming ownership.

And as a birthday present I just found Diesel bug in a fuel can, my Facebook Post:

Diesel Bug! Earlier I decanted some diesel into the tank and in the can were the remains of diesel bug. Hopefully dead as I always put a double dose of Fuelset in with it. I haven’t had any red diesel in it since Kirkwall and only once(?) before at Howth outbound, so unless it has been lurking there since and I have not seen it then it has come from a roadside fuel station.

it’s a fairly new yellow plastic can and the crud was easily visible so I don’t think it’s been there long.

I have put a precautionary massive dose of Fuelset into the tank (you can’t overdose) but I am going to have to get 40+ litres of fuel out of the tank, open it up and clean the whole system which will be a big and very awkward job but at least it is possible with the new stainless tank, unlike the previous bladder tank, and I’m close to base and not 500 miles away.

Again

I suspect there will be a post or two about that after I have frittered away the time before going on to my berth.

This Cruise:

• 1,602.1 nautical miles over the ground (1,843.7 statute).
• 43 stops.
• 26 locations visited for the first time.
• 44 days sailing out of 84.
• 28 days weather bound.
• 38 days in a marina or on a buoy.

2025 June 20th, Day 83. To Fishguard.

DRAFT

For once my start time was not of major importance, particularly if was was to be motoring most of the way as the north and south tides cancel out so I did not set the alarm but I was awake early the eye mask having come off in the night (the boat does not have curtains over the windows) so I was away at 05:25 in a dead calm which lasted till lunch time.

The 06:00 forecasts were not hopeful:

Met Éirenn Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Belfast Lough to Roche's Point to Erris Head and for the Irish Sea

Wind: Southerly or variable force 2 to 4.

Weather: Mainly fair, with isolated thunderstorms. Patchy mist and fog.

Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in any precipitation, mist and fog. Otherwise good.

UKMO St Davids Head to Great Orme Head, including St Georges Channel

24 hour forecast: Southeast 3 to 5, becoming variable 2 to 4. Smooth or slight. Showers. Good.

Outlook for the following 24 hours: Variable 2 to 4, becoming southwest 3 to 5, occasionally 6 later near Anglesey. Smooth or slight, becoming slight or moderate later. Showers, fog patches at first. Good, occasionally very poor at first.

The UKMO inshore forecast  with the SE F3 - 5 and the morning download still showing this at the upper end of the range closer to England. 

The tides pretty nearly balanced out with it
running strongly SW close to Fishguard.

But I struck lucky, the wind when it did arrive, a little before noon, was from the NE and although tentative at first it freshened into a nice sailing breeze between NE and ENE  9 - 12 knots with the odd patch above and I was making from 4.5 to 5.5 knots under sail, with the wind a few degrees further north I could have put up the cruising chute and shot along but I was well please with what I got, especially given the forecast.

This lasted until 16:40 when the wind quickly veered to the SE, dead on the nose, and increased to F5 with the odd gust just touching F6. On went the engine 13 miles from Fishguard where I intended to spend a few days before hopefully returning to Milford with an intermediate stop or two to fill out some time.

The going now was uncomfortable with a short sea keeping progress to about 5 knots and often less. The nav software had done a good job and I had been steering 143 degrees since clearing the Arcklow bank and was very close to projected track, but I was concerned that neither it nor I knew how far out the very early inshore turn of the tide extends, the diamond is only a few cables offshore and the nearest off shore is a very long way away. 

Not wanting to be caught down tide I headed a bit further to the north when ten miles out - I would rather be a mile up-tide heading down at 7 knots than down-tide heading up at 3. In the end I over did it by about half a mile but with the sea calming as I got very close to land and the tide under me in no time at all it was corrected as I approached the anchorage.

For once the 20 knot wind eased to less than 10 a few minutes before I dropped the anchor rather than 10 minutes after. I was at anchor  before 8 o'clock and for the first time this cruise I was able to eat dinner in the cockpit, just ham sandwiches on this occasion as I could not be bothered to heat up the curry left overs and do the rice. And I got to use the medium weight sleeping bag rather than the winter one or both.

The weather forecast for the next week had worsened and I suspected I'd have to change the plan but being tired I decided to leave thinking about that until the morning and the next post. 

75 miles in fourteen and a half hours.

Click here for Dale.

2025 June 19th, Day 82. The start of a dash south-east,

 WIP

Thursday a.m.

There were two unpleasant weather surprised this morning, first when I woke up there was thick fog with visibility down to 70 or 80 yards - that was not in yesterdays forecasts. By 10:30 that had thinned so I can see the coast line 400 yards away at times, it should lift fairly quickly, but it is now forecast for tomorrow. I guess with warm air flowing in from the south I (and the forecasters!) should not have been surprised about some advection fog in the mornings.

The second and more serious surprise is this morning ecmwf models for the weather at the end of next week (the UKMO does not publish beyond [but by Saturday was saying similar])

This is the worst day but the forecast for the following few days quite
strong winds gusting to 30 knots in St George's Channel on the 29th

Although the timing varies a little both models agree that the
23rd is unlikely to be suitable for my to go south over 
Caernarfon Bar  and south on the 23rd.

Given my dead line and assuming the forecasts do not change very quickly I need to head back sooner rather than later. 

My problem now is light southerly / easterly winds in this area until Saturday afternoon when they start to increase, then on Sunday and Monday strong south-westerly as shown above.

The winds in the St Georges Channel may not be helpful tomorrow:

Although it is forecast to improve during the evening, not a
problem motoring but I could do without it.

Tides going south are not that helpful, turning foul today at Lunchtime although the wind is ESE F3 might be OK for some of the route south. Leaving here very early tomorrow morning can't be relied on due to the likelihood of fog that would be a serious problem for some miles due to all of the pot buoys.

This mornings forecast:

Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Malin Head to Carnsore Point to Loop Head and for the Irish Sea

Wind: East to southeast force 3 or less. Increasing force 3 to 5 imminently, strongest for northeast and southwest areas.

Weather: Mist and fog, especially for southern and eastern areas. Becoming mostly fair.

Visibility: Poor in mist or fog. Otherwise good.

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Saturday 21 June 2025

High pressure across northwest Europe will continue to steer in a mostly light to moderate east to southeast flow. Low pressure in the nearby Atlantic will gradually advance eastwards too. Fair, apart from well scattered thundery showers,

According to the models the F5 referred to should be further north.

I had decided against Irelands Eye tonight as potentially uncomfortable if the wind is a tad more southerly than predicted and the same goes for Dublin Bay but I think there is now not much option. So when / if the fog lifts a bit more I am heading south to one of the above or preferably to Wicklow if the sea state suggests I could anchor there for a few hours before setting off early tomorrow, the wind should be OK, if I get there and it is not tenable (unlikely, but it could be v uncomfortable), I'll be in for an overnight trip.. 

I'll decide where I will head for in Wales tomorrow, probably after I have left, the main options being:

• Fishguard which is a very safe harbour unless the wind is in the north, where I can resupply (by dinghy) when my fresh food runs out.
• St Brides Bay / Skomer - I would need daylight for that as this as I have not been there before and the anchorage is tight.
• Milford - but that is a long way especially if I don't leave from Wiklow, I don't want to repeat last years rush from here to Milford.

Either way I expect a lot of motoring, fortunately I have fuel for 3 times the distance from here to Milford.

Thursday p.m.

I left at 10:45 after the fog lifted enough that I could clearly see the shore, it clamped down a bit half a mile offshore and was patchy until I was approaching Lambey Island but good enough for me to see pot buoys in time to avoid them, which I had to do on 4 occasions 2 of them would have been very close or a hit.

On radar watch I saw electronically a surprising number of small boats out in the fog.

[pics of the lifting fog etc here...........]

I was sailing from around Lochshinney but it was extremely frustrating with the wind coming and going, I would wait 5 minutes to see if the wind, or calm would persist or not then not long after it would change again. I started the engine 8 times before I gave up of Irelands Eye when what wind there was veered to the south and I motored from then on in a very calm sea.

[pics of Irelands Eye and the ferry I crossed having tracked it for over 30 miles.]

I made Wicklow and anchored a little after 8 o'clock.

Facebook Posts:

Good news, it is flat calm at Wicklow. Bad news there is a fun fair in town and ear shot. pot buoys ahead so didn’t risk going further.

39 miles in ten and a half hours.

Click here fore Fishguard.

2025 June 18th, Day 81. The Skerries, options and weather.

This post is primarily a reminder to myself for the future what was going on and a working through of options to clarify them in my own mind. But it might just be of interest as an example of  problems of long term passage planning [to follow: Click here to jump to ????]

Wednesday a.m.

My options are a little constrained, I now have to be back in Milford Marina early on the 1st July, not later, so that I can take my wife for a Hospital appointment on the 2nd, and not earlier or it could cost me a months berthing for not being away 3 months. That means planning to be at anchor somewhere in the Haven on the 30th or earlier, I can then enter the marina during free flow at c 09:15 and on the midday train to get home early evening.

I would like to go to Anglesey to go through the Menai Straights but there are weather and timing constraints on that:

• Tides mean that the earliest realistic date to go through is June 23rd or perhaps the 22nd. On the 23rd the tide requires arriving at the Swellies, the dangerous bit between the two bridges, at or slightly before 07:50 and it is 17 miles from the Dulas Bay anchorage and 7 miles from the closest which could be a bit iffy depending on the conditions. 
• Neither anchorage for the norther entrance is usable in an onshore wind of any strength and going from Holyhead is not practical with the tides that week.
• A SW wind means a 12 mile beat or motor from Caernarfon Bar to the nearest anchorage so a brisk south-westerly makes that a long job, and a strong one makes the Caernarfon Bar dangerous.
• Once past the Straights the passage to Milford has tidal gates at Braich y Pyll / Bardsey Island, then Strumble head and/or The Bishops then past Skomer Island into Milford.

So I will need to be lucky with the weather and also not commit to crossing to Anglesey until I'm sure I will not get weatherbound in Hollyhead or elsewhere close to the end of the month. Clearly the forecasts that far out are not to be relied on but the ecmwf is not looking good for that:

The ecmwf forecast for the Saturday 28th, if this pans out I'll
want to be within the Haven by then.

The models are split on the 22rd and 23rd:

The 22nd.

If the ecmwf is correct then its is probably OK but if the UKMO
is correct then I'd be stuck in Hollyhead if I left early.

With this in mind I need to stay this side of the Irish Sea until things become clearer. Contrary to previous predictions the winds for the next few days are generally light to moderate with a lot of east in them, not turning south until Saturday and then according to the UKMO potentially quite strong on Sunday or Monday as shown above.

Easterly moderate winds could be a problem at the Skerries so I might move a bit further south tomorrow, perhaps Howth Sound behind Ireland's Eye or to anchor near Dun Laoghaire marina in Dublin Bay which would also make for a bit of variety, get me a bit further south and give me something to do. I'd then have the option of heading for Hollyhead on Saturday or hunkering down for a day or two before moving south as weather permits knowing that assuming the weather is not horrendous I can get back to Milford under engine in 24 hours.

The Skerries Wednesday morning

Wednesday p.m.

South is coming back into some predictions but this does cover a large area, Met Éirenn forecast Wednesday 12:00:

Forecast for Irish coastal waters from Erris Head to Howth Head to Valentia and for the Irish Sea

Wind: Southerly or variable force 3 or less, touching force 4 at times.

Weather: Cloudy to fair.

I had been thinking of blowing up the dinghy to go ashore but a wind has blown up that would require the outboard and that’s too much hassle for a sort trip ashore. 

Click here for a late planned dash south.

2025 June 17th, Day 80. To The Skerries.

The models from the morning download showed the southerly F5 moderating and veering to the W or NW with favourable winds from Dundalk Bay southward by mid afternoon and overnight, mainly W or NW F3-4 and adverse or no wind for sometime after. The Met Éirenn and UK 07:00 forecasts did not agree on the detail but both ended up with the same result for the 19th.

The high pressure area would generate slack or southerly winds
for some days. The models predicting winds to be quite brisk
at times.

I therefore decided to leave late afternoon or evening and if necessary sail over night to position my self at The Skerries keeping my options open, the factors influencing this decision, including the weather, will be covered in the next post.

However by late morning the Predictwind observations were showing the wind was already veering at Dundalk and further south, also the sea didn't look too bad so I decided to leave early trading some bumpy motoring for a few hours for a nights sleep and I slipped at 12:05.

Seas were indeed bumpy but not as bad as my arrival and I was making 5 - 5.5 knots albeit with engine power that would normally produce 6 knots or a bit more.

For the first time on this trip a (large) pod of dolphins played around the boat staying close for 3/4 of an hour. Three juveniles announced themselves by doing synchronised belly flops just off the port quarter sending spray into the cockpit, as they were perfectly capable of making a clean entry there must have been some meaning to this. I was treated to a spectacular display with many coming clear of the water, one at least 12-15ft clear, others surfing or jumping waves, but it was too rough for extensive filming and I only caught the above in a calm spell.

52 miles in a under 10 hours. Note all of
the anchorages within a short distance.

And I waited for the wind to veer. And I waited and I waited, whilst the the school hosted met stations and others at Dundalk and further south were showing westerly winds.

Eventually it veered from S to W in 10 minutes and NW not long afterwards. The problem was it didn't happen until eight o'clock in the evening and it it did not reach 8 knots for another half hour by which time I was nearly there and it was not worth putting any sail up before I anchored at 21:42. 

The cold front had stalled and the line of favourable wind was always 5 - 10 miles to the west of me.

But I was now in the optimal position to make a decision on what to so next, and in one of the very few anchorages on this bit of coast safe from southerly winds, within easy motoring of 3 marinas and some more anchorages in the Dublin area all of which would allow me to easily reach Anglesey in a a south or south-westerly wind.

It should also be reasonably warm from Thursday but in the 70's no heat wave here. As it turned out the westerly then N. Westerly wind petered out and judging by how the boat moved overnight and some nasty rolling from the left over sea there was not a sailing wind all night so it was the right decision to leave early.

Click here for next steps.