We recently went on a short trip down the River Trent to Holme Pierrepont but while we were out the Vason Sliding Railway Bridge stopped sliding due to a structural problem. This meant we could not sail back to Goole via the Stainforth and Keadby Canal but there was another option. We could sail to Trent End where the River Trent joins the Humber and the Ouse. From there we'd sail up the Ouse to Goole. This isn't generally recommended unless you take on a pilot which we did. The map shows our route.
Our pilot arrived at Keadby at 8.30 am and we sailed through the lock onto a high tide which was rapidly going out.
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The river looked very wide as we sailed north
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| We passed large coasters unloading on the busy quays |
We made good progress towards Trent End and soon the Apex light came into view. |
| The Apex light isn't a very impressive structure but it is vital for navigation |
To the left of the Apex light is a massive sandbar, marked by the posts which stretch back to the shore. We sailed round the light and immediately slowed down to just over 1mph because now we were sailing against the tide flowing out of the Ouse.  |
| Progress was slow in the turbulent waters which swirled round the sand bank |
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| Eventually we left the Apex Light behind |
We crept slowly up the Ouse, swapping sides to make the most of 'slack water' where the current isn't so strong.  |
| An old fashioned lighthouse |
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A modern light; each light flashes in a different sequence so sailors know their location in the dark.
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| The soldier appears to be guarding the bank but he is on the War Memorial at Swinefleet |
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| Heading towards Goole. |
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| Turning into Ocean Lock at Goole |
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| Feeling very small in Ocean Lock |
It was a great experience and we learnt a lot from our pilot but it's not something we would undertake on our own.
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