A Night Round the Mull: When Preparation Meets the Unexpected

Under dark skies and relentless rain, skipper Gunnar and his crew set out aboard Rampage to round the Mull of Kintyre, one of Britain’s most demanding headlands. What began as a planned offshore passage soon became a test of seamanship, resilience, and composure when the sea turned against them.

From the outset, the voyage demanded patience. A triathlon at the marina delayed departure, forcing the crew to turn back in search of fuel. As Rampage motored north instead of south, rain sheeted across the deck, the kind that seeps through oilskins and dulls even the keenest anticipation.

Then, just as the sun began to sink, the weather broke. The sky cleared into a molten gold horizon, and the sea settled into calm. Dolphins surfaced alongside the bow, weaving through the water like messengers of reprieve, while a whale breached beyond the light. That evening, anchored in a sheltered cove, the crew shared a quiet meal as steam from a fish stew fogged the cabin windows. It felt like the sea’s apology after a punishing start.

The following days carried Rampage through Colonsay and Jura, with still waters, wild anchorages, and moments of unfiltered simplicity. At Kiloran Bay, the crew paddled ashore through mirrored seas for a surf in the middle of nowhere. The waves were small, the laughter loud, and the joy undeniable. Later, at Loch Tarbert, they caught mackerel off the stern and cooked them beneath an expanse of stars so vivid they seemed within reach. Stags moved along the headland, an eagle circled high above, and for a while, time stood still.

It was sailing in its truest form, guided by instinct, tide, and deep respect for the elements.

As they approached the Mull, caution returned. The headland’s reputation is well earned, notorious for fierce tidal races and unpredictable currents. The crew timed their passage precisely for slack water, confidence growing with every mile. Then came the sound no sailor forgets: a sharp, violent crack. The top section of the mast snapped away, sending rigging and sail into the sea. In an instant, Rampage was adrift less than a mile from a lee shore. 

The crew reacted instinctively. With the main radio disabled, they turned to a handheld VHF, a backup carried out of habit rather than expectation, and sent a Mayday. HM Coastguard responded immediately. Campbeltown RNLI launched as Gunnar and his crew fought to clear tangled wire and shattered gear, cutting through steel and rope as the deck pitched beneath them. Against the noise and chaos, they stayed composed, their movements precise and deliberate. 

The engine roared to life, briefly restoring control, but the reprieve was short lived. An hour later it failed again, this time for good. With no sail, no steerage, and the tide rising fast, the crew drifted helplessly. Yet even then, composure prevailed. The lifeboat arrived through breaking seas, securing Rampage and towing her safely into Campbeltown Harbour under cover of darkness. 

The RNLI crew, calm and assured, praised the sailors’ quick thinking. Clearing the rig, they said, had saved both boat and crew. Relief washed over Rampage as the storm finally began to fade. 

By dawn, the cause revealed itself. Sediment in the fuel tank had clogged the filters. With temporary repairs and a jury rig in place, Rampage made for home under a makeshift sail. The final miles into Largs were powered only by wind, a fitting return for a crew reminded of sailing’s oldest truth: that mastery at sea is never about avoiding difficulty, but meeting it with skill and composure. 

It was not the voyage they planned, but one they would never forget. The sea gives and takes in equal measure, offering humility to those who listen and resolve to those who endure. 

Henri-Lloyd celebrates sailors like Gunnar and his crew, individuals who face the unpredictable with quiet determination, preparation, and respect for the water. Their experience embodies the essence of offshore sailing and the spirit that continues to inspire every piece we make. 

With thanks to Campbeltown RNLI for their swift and professional response.