Voyage Overview
- Year: 2024
- Destination: Shetland Islands circumnavigation, Scotland
- Boat: Sparkling Spirit
- Vessel Type: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43
- Distance Sailed: 185 nautical miles
- Skippers: Mark Daniel & Mike Scrivens (co-skippers)
- Crew: Chris Robson (“PaleJumper”), Simon Tyler (“Shetmon”), Warren Creates (“WarFlugga”), Boris Ulehla (“Borish”), Mark (“MuckleD”) Daniel, Mike (“Squidland”) Scrivens
- Notes: 23rd Phat Buoy voyage; first co-skippered voyage
Logbook Entry
The Shetland voyage of 2024 stands as (another) defining chapter in Phat Buoy history: a first for co-skippering, a triumphant full circumnavigation of the Shetland Isles, and the solemn, beautiful completion of Mark Daniel’s personal UK circumnavigation.
Favourable winds carried Sparkling Spirit swiftly through and around the islands, past headlands and harbours steeped in Norse history. Navigation required precision — tides, currents, and the long northern daylight all in constant play — but the balance of leadership and teamwork made for smooth sailing.
A highlight of enduring meaning came as the crew rounded Muckle Flugga, the UK’s northernmost rock and lighthouse, where David Ashfield’s ashes were set adrift — a Phat Buoy farewell carried by the same northern seas he once loved.
Ashore, Shetland offered its warmest welcomes: music, stories, laughter, and perhaps the world’s most photogenic sheep. The voyage closed with a land-based celebration in Aberdeen, but not before the inaugural Ashfield Cup Golf Tournament — a 9-hole event of sloping greens and sloping golfers alike at Shetland’s Asta Course — proudly won by Warren “Warboy” Creates.
Wind, whisky, laughter, and remembrance — Shetland was everything a voyage of friendship should be, and look at those Shetland wool jumpers!! (Robbo’s off colour jumper was changed post trip, don’t worry).
