Will this guy make it? 1700 miles in Searider

This was absolutely amazing to me when I first went out for a spin in my brother's 6m RIB, out of Salcombe. There's a narrow (ish) channel leading to the sea, which is marked by red and green beacons (?) between which you're suppose to stay to avoid the rocks. You just have to know this - which of course (then) I didn't (my brother did). In the summer, this channel is quite busy, and yet the professionals and amateurs seem to navigate it all without conflict on the days I've been witness to it anyway. I wondered then how many people winged it vs those who had been formally introduced to boating.

My brother had a radio on his RIB but we never used it, and I'm not even sure he knew how to, or when to.

I note Harry does use his radio often when coming into harbours. In fact, his sea-knowledge seems perfectly adequate and has kept him out of any trouble.

If I bought a boat, I'd certainly take a few lessons. To my mind there's such a huge opportunity for my getting into trouble. The learning curve when you're introduced to something new is always steep, and I'm certain you could flatten that curve really quickly by listening to someone who knows what they're talking about.

Except in an emergency.

Like if you really need to hear the test match score, or know who is no 1 this week?

A bit of a stretch there, I suspect there are plenty of sailors far more experienced than us that don’t have a licence yet operate them in a professional manner. Then of course you’ve got the fishing crews that like to have a full blown conversations on channels, or when England are playing suddenly all cheer down the radios, all people that should know better as licence holders.

You’re also forgetting that the skipper might have a licence but requires a guest/crew without a licence to operate it due to dealing with the emergency.

It was interesting seeing him access the radar and thermal camera on his phone as they were driving up the motorway. Clever stuff.

This was exactly my thought when I watched the 1st episode and posted here, I was horrified and worried - the rest is (a costly) history.

He has the right attitude to be good at sea, mindful of dangers, asks a lot of questions and comes to critical decisions quickly. Top bloke really.

Harry's made good progress over the last few days, getting to Newcastle. I wonder if he got some good footage of the northern lights?

This needs to happen! There are great flotilla moments when racers return to port, I would love to see this up the Thames.

Video releases have slowed down since COVID and him doing the picturesque parts of Britain. I predicted that the grim North would present a challenge. I have not watched this once, but plan to this evening.