The ARC Flotilla 2013

What a great way to spend a Sunday; a little rum punch, a group of friends, a nice breeze and a sail to celebrate the start of the 2013 ARC rally. The ARC rally consists of over 200 boats, leaving Las Palmas in the Canary Islands to sail across the Atlantic, arriving in Rodney BaySt Lucia sometime mid December. To coincide with the start of the rally a flotilla was held here in St Lucia.

 

 

The ARC Flotilla leaving Castries
The ARC Flotilla leaving Castries

 

Throughout the week we picked up a multi-national crew of six; 3 English, 1 Serbian, 1 Guyanan and 1 Egyptian. It was to be a day of easy sailing, no winners or losers, just a sail down to the capital of St Lucia, Castries, and then back to the marina in RodneyBay.

 

We set off just after 8.30am and one member of the crew decided that it should be rum punches (albeit weak ones) for breakfast. We got into the bay and set the sails along with a few other yachts that would be joining us. It was a beautiful morning, a good wind was blowing and the sun was shining, although there were a few rain clouds sitting over the mountains. As we approached the first headland a huge gust of wind hit us and we rounded up very close to another yacht, but all was well. On approaching Castries those rain clouds began to move out to sea and within minutes we were in a downpour, soaked to the skin, but still warm. As the sun came out, we dried out.

 

 

Crew of Papagayo in ARC Flotilla
The Crew
Leaving Castries Harbour
Captain Ayman & Ben

 

All boats, about 50 in total, were ready for the start canon that signaled the beginning of the rally in Las Palmas. The siren went off but no canon, there was a bit of confusion, but we were off. Within a minute we were told via the radio to hold back as a plane was about to land on the other side of the harbour and would be coming in low. Yachts without engines quickly tacked, whilst a few just continued on their way. Luckily the plane had plenty of clearance and no masts were taken out!

Sailing around Castries harbour
Getting ready for the canon
Our little mascot
Our little mascot

 

All boats, about 50 in total, were ready for the start canon that signaled the beginning of the rally in Las Palmas. The siren went off but no canon, there was a bit of confusion, but we were off. Within a minute we were told via the radio to hold back as a plane was about to land on the other side of the harbour and would be coming in low. Yachts without engines quickly tacked, whilst a few just continued on their way. Luckily the plane had plenty of clearance and no masts were taken out!

 

The crew was mostly made up of novices and one took the helm with a little help from the skipper. We were following the lead boat, a rather nice game fishing vessel, when we were hit by another strong gust of wind, the reading showing 35 knots. With little experience the helmsman steered the wrong way and we headed at an alarming pace straight towards the lead boat. As the stern loomed ever closer the skipper grabbed the helm and locked it fast the other way. Disaster was averted, no one on the lead boat looked fazed at all, perhaps they hadn’t realised they had just had a close call. 

 

 

The Happy Crew
The Happy Crew

 

The sail back to RodneyBay was fast yet relaxing and everyone seemed to be enjoying the day. However, all was not well behind us in the flotilla. Another racing yacht which had been flying a full sail (we had reefed in due to the strong winds) had lost its forestay rigging, leading to a high load on the mast. The mast had snapped about 7 feet up from the deck and was now trailing in the water with the sails. Some of the crew had been rescued off of the boat whilst some of the crew remained to help the skipper. He was towed back to his mooring in the bay. 

 

 

Rodney bay
Returning into Rodney Bay Marina

 

The flotilla congregated back in the bay so that we could all head into the marina together to enjoy the afternoon of festivities of Heineken beer, Chairman’s rum and a barbeque hosted by one of the restaurants in the marina. One of the first parties for the ARC 2013, more to come in December!

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