Snoopy sets sail across the Atlantic

[Maple Leaf]

For those 'early day' cachers still around, you may remember the person behind this project - Robin Lovelock (https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=Robin+Lovelock).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-20520968

The tracking page can be found here (http://www.gpss.force9.co.uk/autop.htm):

.. although it appears that he has popped in to do The Wombles earthcache (http://coord.info/GC1DG20) at Alum Bay, Isle of Wight ... and got stuck on the rocks.

Hope Snoopy gets rescued and heads off the right direction.

[Bill D (wwh)]

Oops, not a good start! :o

I don't know the spot, but it doesn't look too difficult to get down there and set him on his way again. :)

[Happy Humphrey]

Great idea, Robin, and well spotted Maple Leaf!

I do know the place in Alum Bay where Snoopy fetched up, and I'm pretty sure that it's done for. It's really difficult to get to, and although a sea kayak might make it in calm weather I suspect that Snoopy is already smashed to pieces. Hope Robin tries again.

Now, who's going to be brave enough to post a link on the Groundspeak forum? Perhaps if you play innocent you might get away with it. ;)

[Maple Leaf]

Looks like this journey is over for Snoopy :(

Latest News at 2200 28 November 2012: A strong tide pulled Snoopy into Alum Bay, Isle of Wight. He last reported on the rocks. He stopped reporting - so water in electronics now?
Depending on damage, he can either be re-launched, with 'phone help from Robin, or be fixed to sail again soon. However, this seems increasingly unlikely.
The good news is that he worked well - and he was very unlucky.
A launch an hour earlier, or from a few hundred yards further west, and he might have made it past The Needles

[sandvika]

What a shame - we know the boat had very extended trials on Bray Lake - and though it proved the longevity and durability of the components it clearly couldn't prove the boat's ability to handle the tides in the Solent.

This is not Robin's first Isle of Wight misadventure - it seems this large rock has now claimed 3 craft (https://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/displaycache2.google2.wap.pl?CacheID=11828), though the first 2 were even more at the mercy of the tide.