Wednesday 15^th June – Silivri – Ataköy Marina, Istanbul (We made it!)

40:58.262N 28:52.579E

This morning we were up and out before dawn for the 31 mile run up the coast to Istanbul – the first time we’ve used the navigation lights this season.  The reason being that though quiet in the morning the weather was due to perk up in the afternoon - with the chance of further thundery showers and the wind due to strengthen against us.

We motor-sailed up in light airs past fishermen out in tiny boats enjoying the early morning, past a large container port and through the large ship anchorages before reaching Ataköy Marina, about 5 miles WSW of the entrance to the Bosphorus.

We arrived a little earlier than expected at 10.30am as we hadn’t encountered as much current against us as we had anticipated, and I was pleased that there was hardly any wind.  We called the marina and three marinaros came out in a rib to meet us, escort us to our berth and assist with berthing.  At the time I thought this was overkill, however, they knew better.  The pontoons are very close together here, there is a current running into the marina, and there are small finger pontoons to berth alongside – not seen those for a long time! 

As I started trying to back Pyxis down between the narrow pontoons it was clear it wasn’t going to be straightforward, certainly not without a bow thruster as the nose didn’t want to spin in the tight space.  As I was about to go forward and try again the marinaros took over.  The chap in the rib pushed the nose around and directed us back and the two guys on the pontoon caught the stern lines and pulled us in while the chap in the rib pulled the nose up and around so we spun into the berth.  They didn’t look particularly surprised that I was finding it hard work and later I saw others having similar difficulties (and some regulars making it look easy).

This afternoon the wind started to build and it has become quite fresh this evening, so we are happy that we elected for the early morning trip.

We have checked in for a few days to do a little sight-seeing in Istanbul but this afternoon and evening we have relaxed on board Pyxis.

Enroute to Istanbul

© Pyxis 2011