The following articles appear on this page :
Preparation in Gibraltar
Leg 1 to Tenerife
Leg 2 across the Atlantic
Arrival in Antigua
With the arrival of the Support Team the Rally Office opened in Marina Bay on Monday 12 October and the countdown to departure day had begun. The Departure Fortnight was blessed with excellent weather and the programme of briefings, safety and radio checks, outings and social gatherings went well.
As always, safety was a high priority on the early briefing programme. Lead by Dr Dick Allan (the Blue Water safety expert), assisted by Rally organisers, Tony Diment and Peter Seymour, skippers had on board discussions on practical safety issues involving themselves and their yachts. A highlight was the practical demonstration of the live firing of flares, which provided excellent training, but also good entertainment (and a few exciting moments). On another morning, a classroom exercise provided early experience of the Rally radio net, which will become a part of the daily way of life of Blue Water Ralliers.
Marina Bay became a scene of hectic activity with Adrian (the pier master) and his staff responding to numerous requests for assistance. The Rally noticeboard became the focus of attention, with details of the daily programme, items for sale, outings and numerous other snippets of information. A gas collection was organised and a mass victualling by the local duty-free chandler to supplement the excellent shopping to be had at the local supermarket and elsewhere in Gibraltar.
But all was not "work and no play". A trip across the Straits to Smir in Morocco attracted 11of the yachts and crew visited the ancient Arab city of Tetouan, bargained in the souk and dined whilst watching the gyrations of belly-dancers. In Gibraltar, the two social highlights were a reception hosted by the Governor of Gibraltar and a pre-departure cocktail party given by the Ministry of Tourism with the accompaniment of military music supplied by the band of the Gibraltar Regiment. A truly memorable last evening.
With a Royal Naval patrol boat acting as the guard vessel at the end of the start line, the firing of a gun on Europa Point by a gun team of the Gibraltar Regiment on Saturday morning, 24th October, marked the start of the 1998 Blue Water Round the World Cruising Rally. The great adventure has begun.
Rally meteorologist (Jim Allen) had been keeping a close eye on the weather situation for the previous week and his local knowledge proved extremely accurate. With a light westerly due to turn into the north and the east a few hours after the departure, there was no problem for the yachts to clear the line under sail close-hauled. The Blue Water Rally fleet made an impressive sight as yachts crossed the line and sailed towards Tarifa.
Participants soon settled into a Rally routine, with the first HF radio net at 1700 hours on the first evening. Thereafter the full HF "safety net" was run each morning with volunteers taking turns to undertake the role of Net Controller, whilst each evening a short listening net was held. Formalities of position-reporting over, crews were soon getting to know each other on the chat frequencies and looking forward to meeting up again at Tenerife.
The first few hours also produced an early opportunity to test the Rally logistics system, with one yacht reporting as it crossed the line that it had lost one of its log/speed instruments! A new part was ordered over the radio, has been sourced in UK and is being delivered by hand of a visiting crew member soon after the yacht arrives.
As a back-up to the HF/SSB, the organisers are delighted that a total of 14 yachts in the fleet have a C-Sat capability, with a further 3 yachts having Inmarsat Mini-M speech equipment. To complete the range of communications equipment another owner has installed HF e-mail, using the Pinoak modem system. A first test of the twice-weekly reporting of Rally fleet positions was highly successful and was backed up by the UK Rally Office polling C-Sat-equipped yachts for their positions on a regular basis.
Most yachts reported a sparkling sail after the first 24 hours of light winds. Winds freshened from the north and yachts made good times towards their first port of call at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. First yachts arrived on Wednesday 28th October, with the remainder of the fleet arriving by Saturday 31st. Crews were met at the Marina del Atlantico by Tony Diment (the stopover director) and eased through formalities. Our host club, the Real Club Nautico, with its Olympic-size swimming pools, bars and restaurants, is already proving a popular venue. Whilst they will have plenty of time for yacht preparation for the Atlantic crossing, crews can also look forward to a balanced programme of "R & R" in the warm sunshine of Tenerife.
Having managed to sail with a light breeze through the Straits of Gibraltar, nightfall on 24th October found the Blue Water Rally fleet clear of all shipping off the west coast of Morocco heading for Tenerife. Although there were some early arrivals in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the bulk of the fleet arrived amazingly close to one another during the night of 29th October, taking 5˝ days to complete the 740 mile passage from Gibraltar.
The Marina del Atlantico managed to lay stern lines for the fleet, enabling yachts to lie bows-to to the harbour walls which, although ensuring secure and comfortable berths, made getting ashore with the 6-foot tidal range somewhat tricky. A true Tenerife welcome in the form of Dr José Miguel Togores, from the Real Club Nautico de Tenerife (RCNT), soon became evident when fresh bread rolls were distributed amongst the fleet the following morning.
Throughout the 2-week stopover the RCNT hospitality was truly fantastic. Following a welcoming cocktail party, the full facilities of the Club, including the use of two full-size swimming pools, were made available to the Rally by the Club President Victor Juan Rodriguez. A Civic Reception at the Town Hall, at which a plaque was presented by the Rally from the People of Gibraltar to the People of Santa Cruz, started a week of social events. This included a Presentation at the Cabildo (Tenerife Government Building), a wonderful coach excursion of the Island of Tenerife with lunch at a Parador, the first Rally Fun Day at the RCNT (at which the Ladies’ Tug of War Team beat the Men and Sarah-Jane, aged 10 from ‘Windfall’, got to the end of the slippery pole!) and last, but certainly not least, a Spanish Sardine Supper at which just about every Blue Water Rallier instantly ‘freaked out’ on the dance floor when the music started up. The Rally managed to return some of the RCNT’s hospitality by inviting club members to join them on a day-sail up the coast to Antequera beach. It proved to be a lovely sail in ideal conditions: clear blue skies, temperature 28°C and up to 20 knots of breeze!
Having re-victualled, refuelled and been briefed for the Atlantic crossing, all that was awaited was a fair weather forecast for the departure on 14th November. After the Farewell Party at the Club, Jim Allen’s fax from the Met Office duly arrived giving the dream forecast: NE 3 to 4 occasionally 5 for the next 5 days! Despite Eau de Vie’s continuing electrical problems and Star Oasis still awaiting their SSB radio, all yachts staged a sail-past off the RCNT. Swelled in numbers by the crews vying for the Infanta Christina Racing Trophy also being hosted there, the Blue Water Rally was given a great send-off by the Club. The Club siren became reminiscent of a Battle of Britain air raid as each of the 30 Rally yachts sailed past the Club dipping their Ensign in salute before heading westward for Antigua. It was the end of an incredibly generous and hospitable first stop for the Rally. Appropriately, the thanks of the Rally participants were expressed with the presentation to José Miguel of a crystal ship’s decanter suitably inscribed with their thanks on a silver label.
Despite light airs the yachts are making steady progress towards the Caribbean.
Successful crossing for Blue Water Ralliers - the Caribbean partying has begun.
Crossing. All 31 yachts now arrived safely. The first yacht in 19 days, the last arrival in 25 days. Despite hurricane Nicole in the North Atlantic, the track of the fleet was well south and regular inputs from the UK Met Office kept the fleet well informed. Winds in fact light and accounted for the unusually slow passages recorded. Light conditions were a positive advantage to some - allowing 3 yachts to meet for an Atlantic birthday party and 2 others to exchange fuel and spares!
The Net. The twice-daily net proved to be a great boon to all and responsible for a great camaraderie amongst the fleet. The evening chat show has resulted in the discovery of previously unknown talent in the form of poets, comedians and a mid-Atlantic bagpipe serenade. All of this to be repeated at the Christmas show and party at Jolly Harbour this week.
Wildlife and Fishing. Everyone reports great success with fishing. Wildlife reports include several ‘close encounters’ of up to several hours with whales and schools of dolphins.
Logistics. With a large list of spares signalled during the crossing and already delivered to the yachts, owners and crews are already in ‘make and mend’. Few serious problems except to the spreader of one yacht, which had caused some concerns. Excellent facilities for complete range of mechanical and electrical, watermaking and sailmaking - indeed, everything is here in Antigua.
Jolly Harbour. Proving ideal venue for the Rally. Excellent marina facilities - friendly, professional staff - port of entry - plus bars, restaurants and shops; not forgetting, too, an outstanding Caribbean beach to "chill out on Antiguan-style".
Social. Early arrivals rum punch party at Dogwatch Tavern - Jolly Harbour welcome reception - Minister of Tourism Reception plus the Blue Water Rally Christmas Extravaganza.
Programme. Crews now briefed for free-cruising in Caribbean. Some staying at Jolly Harbour, most at famous English/Falmouth Harbours for a tropical Christmas with champagne in historic Nelson’s Dockyard on Christmas morning."
Antigua and Caribbean update - January 1999
Following the Christmas and New Year celebrations in Antigua, the Blue Water Rally fleet is now "free- cruising" towards the San Blas Islands and the Panama Canal. There were some early departures from Antigua, with "Merlin", "Samen", "Vagabond" and "Rain Again" setting off immediately after Christmas to cruise as many islands as possible en route to Bonaire and thence to Panama. "La Billebaude", too, headed for Guadeloupe and a family reunion amongst the beautiful French islands.
For those staying for Christmas in Antigua, Christmas in the Caribbean was hugely enjoyed. Christmas Day started with the traditional champagne at the Capstans in historic Nelson's Dockyard to the sound of a steel band. The sun shone, friends and families got together and a great time was had by all. For some there was a traditional Christmas dinner at the famous Admiral's Inn, whilst for many there was a barbecue at Pigeon Beach in glorious tropical sunshine, organised mainly by Phil Watkins of "Star Oasis". The original choice of a beach in Freeman's Bay proved too small for the numbers involved! A "snowman", built of sand but covered in imitation snow, was created by Jez Smither of "Akwaaba" and added to the Christmas ambience! It was noted by the participants that, like most of them at this stage, the snowman was to be found in a sitting position!
Despite hangovers a number of Blue Water Ralliers took part in the annual Antigua Yacht Club Race on Boxing Day. While some crewed on AYC members' boats, it was good to see "Moon Slipper", helmed by Roger and Enid Wise, taking part and claiming second place in the cruiser class. They claimed exemption from the general Blue Water Rally rule that this was a cruising-only event! The remainder of the fleet claimed exemption from the Race on the grounds that their Christmas decorations would fall over in the heavy seas and strong winds and had nothing to do with having a long lie-in that morning!
For those staying to see in the New Year Antigua provided yet another memorable venue for celebration. Crews saw in the New Year in Nelson's Dockyard, with most yachts tied stern-to to the quay. Champagne was drunk, fireworks and flares lit the night at midnight and John Boyd of "Athena" provided a traditional Scottish accompaniment by playing the bagpipes.
By 4 January most yachts were reported heading south in windy, but sunny, conditions. The fleet is keeping in touch with each other on a voluntary basis through a listening net on HF radio each evening (there is no formal roll call on this leg). The next gathering of yachts is due to take place in the San Blas Islands, where they will be met by Tony Diment on 23/24 January, special arrangements having been made for an entry at Iskardup Island. Others will visit the San Blas via Porvenir and all will call at the historic bay at Portobello, with its connections with Sir Francis Drake en route to Panama.
A complex plan has been put together for transits of the Panama Canal, with up to 6 yachts at any one time making their transits. The first of these groups will meet the Support Team of Tony Diment and Peter Seymour at Cristobal at the Caribbean end on 27 January. Transits for the whole fleet of 37 yachts are expected to be completed by 6 February. Despite a busy transit schedule, time has been set aside for shopping expeditions, tourism to the jungles of the interior and parties in Panama City.
Further reports from Panama at the end of January ……………….
This report received 6th January 1998 from Peter Seymour