A Limerick man's Adventure in Long Island Sound

I learned to sail on the Shannon from my father Paddy Dooley; a lot of people will remember him as he used to own the Dainty Dairy in Bedford Row and Cecil Street. He taught me well, as the lessons learned on the Shannon between Foynes and Carrigaholt stood me in good stead when the following little adventure happened.

I thought you might be interested in this account of a trip on an old English Morecambe Bay Prawner between Annapolis Maryland, and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

On board were 3 people, Ashley Butler from Essex, England, Wendy his American girlfriend, and myself Shay Dooley from Limerick.

This all happened just over a year ago at the end of October 2001, about 6 weeks after the horrendous attack on the World Trade Centre.

I had volunteered myself as crew on "Ziska," the old wooden gaffer belonging to Ashley Butler. The plan was to bring it from Annapolis to Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard. About 380 miles which should take 3/4 days. There were three of us onboard, Ashley, his fianc