The following is an extract from the Captiains Log:

With all pre departure checks complete, clearance was granted and the Captain made his departure broadcast. Ventura let go all her lines and moved off the berth with the band playing. She then proceeded down Southampton Water, slowing down at dock head for the firework display on our port side and again at Fawley Oil terminal before makinf two turns, first at Calshot Split and the other at Brambles Bank. Once complete, an easterly course was set along the eastern solent taking us between the two forts. Ventura disembarked her local pilot at 22:21 and once clear of Nab Tower altered to a south westerly course into the English Channel towards the north western tip of France.