Maryport Trawler Race 2012
After missing last year’s race due to bad weather I was again invited to take photographs of the 2012 Maryport Trawler Race, so off I went on Saturday 4th August to see what the day had in store. My first race in 2009 had beautiful weather, blue skies and calms seas. 2010 was similar but the sea was a little choppy. 2012, however, was a completely different day.
The race started under blue skies and expecting good weather I went out in t-shirt and cargo trousers with my camera on a strap around my neck and spare lenses, batteries and memory cards in my trouser pockets. This year’s chosen vessel was a small dinghy with an outboard motor, small but fast, and very close to the water!
Not long into the race the sky started darkening, followed by the worst thunderstorm I have ever been out in, and the only storm I have been out at sea in. The wind picked up, there was torrential rain and lightning strikes. The sea also became very rough, waves crashing over the sides of our small boat and soaking me and my equipment in salt water. The weather became so bad that the race was stopped halfway through.
The weather did, however, provide some dramatic moody shots but even these don’t show how bad the weather was and how quickly it could turn.
The trawlers head off into the approaching storm
The Maryport Trawler Race is an annual charity event that brings trawlers from Cumbria and the Isle of Man to the Solway Firth coastal town of Maryport. The race begins in the Elizabeth Dock at Maryport with judging of the boats to determine the best dressed boat and best dressed crew followed by a blessing before the race begins.
As there are a wide variety of boats involved in the race they are each assigned an estimated time to complete a set course along the coast, with the winner being the boat to complete the course in the closest time to its estimated time. This ensures a fair race for all boats rather than just relying on top speed alone.
The race always attracts a large crowd and there are harbourside attractions and other events to keep the spectators occupied for the whole day.
Funds raised are split between Maryport Rescue independent inshore lifeboat station and other local charities.
I have collection of further images here.