ADVENTURE - TRANSGLOBE LEG 7
Day 3 – In the expectation of a scheduled departure at 1000, and after a night in which a melodic ring tone of some church bells heralded the hour and every quarter hour in between, the day started well, with clear blue skies (the previous two had actually been dull, grey, squally, occasionally rainy, and not a little chilly, but we didn’t report that in Blog 1 in order not to dampen the jealousy factor from people back home). Forecast wind: a steady blow from the port quarter for a couple of days. Dinghy stowed. Excitement levels rising….. And then, in the best traditions: Change of Plan!
Kris, very unfortunately, had developed an infection (we suspected a TASMANIAN spider bite acquired whilst he was running off his jet lag up in the hills outside Hobart) requiring a period of hospitalisation, and necessitating some enforced extra alongside time for all three boats. Contingency plans were hatched between the skippers and mates, including coastal stop, boat transfer, helo transfer via hi-line courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy All these possibilities had the Navy crew salivating. Happily, however, the medics were more concerned than the patient, and with a grit that would have had the Second Sea Lord dancing the hornpipe (if he’d been able to take the time off and attend this leg, as had been his intent), Kris dispensed with his IV, slipped the hospital, and stowed away on DISCOVERER, under the watchful eyes of the Doc Alison.
It was time to go. With the passarelle, on realising it was heading for the sail locker for the next 10-12 days, firstly trying to jump ship and then trying to bite Helen’s fingers off (no problem’s with Helen’s reflexes!), our little Fleet was off (1800 departure), all hands on deck to set sail. Red Watch as Mother Watch (24 hours on domestic duties), Blue watch on, motor sailing to make best progress out of Hobart Bay before nightfall, and White watch …. well, at this time, just watching. Spag Bol on the menu (cooked up the previous day by Russ who, as the only officially competent Pusser, was i/c provisioning, galley hygiene (secretly I think he rather likes the different coloured chopping boards and probing hot food)) as the first meal at sea; and first class it was, too.
Sadly, however, with a loppy roll under the stern, as we altered East towards the land of the Kiwis, not everyone managed to hang supper, noting that Nelson was a habitual sufferer, and that it was no respecter of experience, several crew members were struck by the dreaded mal de mer. Gemma, eventually succumbing having courageously kept going throughout the Middle watch, caused a neat diversion and operated the Man Overboard Alarm whilst performing a rather dignified throwing up action over the stern. Timing was perfect, even if the manner was suspect, because it acted as a wake up call for the skipper, whose turn it was to go on watch anyway (working a turn and turn about routine with Nikki). Full marks also to Lee, who saw nothing unusual the next morning in moving from feeding the fish to going back to the saloon to finish his breakfast. With Russ, Cathy and others soon following suit the fish were certainly not going to go hungry.
Small explanation of the Crew watch system: With the day starting at 0800, the Forenoon watch runs from 0800 – 1200, Afternoon 1200 – 1600, Dogs 1600 – 2000, First 2000 – 0000, Middle 0000 – 0400, Morning 0400 – 0800, and then the cycle repeats. Running a three watch system (Red, White and Blue ( best)), each watch would have one day as Mother watch and then 2 days doing 4 hours on 4 hours off for 48 hours, and then the cycle repeats. Each watch has a watch leader who coordinates their crew under the watchful eye of Nikki first mate and Neil our Skipper.
Day 4 - The forecast NW wind didn’t materialise until the Morning watch, but when it did arrive there were a few hours with some good sailing and hopefully just the first of many visits by dolphins, albatross, peterel and various other forms of greater and lesser unidentified flying objects. Light winds permitted some spinnaker pole handling practice and booming out the foresail, but eventually the dying wind forced us to re-start the engine to help make up some of the time lost the previous day. The plan at this stage, and following discussion between Neil and DISCO’s skipper Vaughan, was for all three boats to travel flotilla style until the following morning, when Kris would be sufficiently recovered by boat transfer to be able to rejoin his adventure in ADVENTURE and a new starting line would be made. Joint Ops worked well between ADVENTURE and DISCOVERER, but CHALLENGER disappeared over the horizon, perhaps hatching some cunning plan or other.
Later in the evening, with ADV and DISCO in close company and the wind reduced, the skippers felt that, with Kris recovering well from the duvets, feather pillows and other ministrations the RAF are so good at, that his return to ADV that evening should be attempted before he applied for a Service transfer. Difficult to know quite how to describe the next couple of hours, beyond saying that whilst Kris’ personal effects were safely transferred, the method of hurling him across like a sack of spuds was considered a tad unfair for a recent patient and abandoned. Much better for ADV to trail her dinghy on a long line, DISCO to approach the dinghy, transfer Kris, ADV recover the dinghy with Kris, et voila. Plan execution, however, might be considered either an attempt by ADV to add significant drag to DISCO (not the case since such a deed would be entirely unnecessary) or for DISCO to add to her dinghy collection. Anyway, the exchange of one dinghy for two bags of personal effects was considered enough for the moment so, with night falling, the two transglobers (still no sight nor sound of CHALLENGER) agreed a new RV for the following morning, for a further attempt.at getting Kris to the right boat in safer conditions and day light.
At this stage DISCO headed south, perhaps to ensure she kept the dinghy, so ADV set off in hot pursuit, keeping DISCO in her sights whilst encouraging a more northerly track. All efforts to lead DISCO further north towards the RV came to nought, and after a Morning watch (Blue on) which saw the winds rise to a steady force 6, the swell increase from the South West, a dull grey dawn and some 13 knot surges of boat speed, the conditions were set fair for Exercise Recover Kris. Difficult to know how to describe the next couple of hours, beyond saying that quite why Kris abandoned a perfectly serviceable dinghy whilst having the time of his life in the Southern Ocean is a question for another day. Towing the dinghy behind him, he was successfully recovered to ADV, with Steph and Clem showing, with X-men like heroics, that tarbuckles and jon buoys are not the only means of recovering MOBs to Challenge 67s. Long arms and a boat hook rigged as a harpoon worked pretty well. And the fact that Kris was the missing member of their watch might have had something to do with their superhuman motivation!
After the morning’s excitement, the start of The Race was heralded swiftly. After a short skippers briefing, and with “ready steady go” called on VHF, the two boats leapt from their stalls like, well like forty tons each of Challenge 67 yacht. Time: 1207. CHALLENGER had been located some 70 miles north and east, so whether she knows the race has started, or is currently having her own one, only time will tell. It’s hoped that SSB Comms and Sat C enroute will allow a GPS position from her at the time of the race start and calculated on handicap the distance from Disco and Adv start position..
DISCO rigged for Spinnaker, ADV for Tea and a McVities (not an official sponsor, maybe next time) digestive biscuit. A measured assessment of the situation, a poled goosewing, selected, and DISCO’s stern view changed swiftly to one of her bow; early days but exciting stuff. It should be noted that the goosewing was cleverly directed by the skipper, again ensuring an excuse to send Nikki aloft, this time out along the spinnaker pole some 30 feet above the rolling waves, to untie a knot to save having to drop the sail again and lose time. Clinging sloth like beneath the pole, this was indeed a gutsy manoeuvre by the Mate.
Overnight the wind unexpectedly increased from the forecast 30 knots, and began gusting 48 knots within angry, violent rain squalls. Red and White watches, along with the indomitable skipper and Mate, had their work cut out. Both watches were at full stretch for four hours, in the dark, derigging the spinnaker pole, changing head sail, each requiring four people just to move them, putting in two reefs in the main, all on a very wet and unstable platform. With huge forces at play, everything having to be done by hand (or many hands) and lack of experience, a huge and exhausted sense of achievement came after the herculean efforts. For Blue watch, with Mother watch duties complete and not required on deck, it was supposedly ‘all night in (bed)’. However, below decks, constricted into their narrow pipe cots, it sounded as one might imagine the
Hats off here to all the Leg 7 crew for the manner in which they are gelling. But mostly to the Skipper. Not only a really good bloke but whilst solo sailors get loads of recognition for their endeavours, skippering a yacht designed to demand maximum input from the whole crew, many of whom had never sailed before a couple of days ago, in a place as exhilarating but unforgiving as the great Southern Ocean, requires something special.
As daylight dawns on Red watch, with the sounds of Blue preparing breakfast below, and White snoring in unison, a pod of whales were seen close on the starboard beam. Special.
More to follow, communications permitting, at the next update, scheduled to be posted on Monday 11 Jan.
Personal messages from the Leg 7 ADVENTURE crew:
Neil, Skipper – This is what I signed up for! Again a great crew who are willing and fun. We’ve been blessed with a great following wind thus far and the banter between the boats has been epic (Baz – an old crew mate - from the Army boat planning an operation to kidnap DISCO’s glitter ball and DISCO’s skipper blatantly photographing the transoms (back of the boat) of our and the Army’s yachts in Hobart stating that he would need something to remember them by! Long may it continue… Hi to everyone at home and at VIVID, I hope you are all well and the freezing temperatures are abating. XX
Nikki, First Mate – I’m being abused by my crew who are taking advantage of my lovely sweet nature….. only joking, the dream team works and Neil’s not bad either despite him sending me up the mast three times in two days!! Having a ball. Roll on the forecasted 30 knots. Currently ahead of Disco who have a spinnaker wrap on our starboard side.. oh happy days!!! Trim Trim Trim of course 17.1 boat speed last night mmm on happy chick. Determined to regain the points the RAF won on the last leg just for you Commander Richard Tarr. Hope all those on Sydney- Hobart Leg got back okay and are jetlag free and memory happy. Love to all- thanks to all those who put some top playlists on my ipod, the crew are enjoying them as much I am. xxx
RED WATCH
Helen – on watch with Cathy, James and Lee. We had an exciting night last night. At the end of our 8pm-12am watch the wind was increasing and gusting upto 50kts at times, we put the 1st reef in the main and waited for the off watch to come on a midnight to help derig the pole holding out the
James – In a strange way am starting to learn to enjoy sail changes at night with the boat bouncing and water filling the air. What I have certainly enjoyed this morning was surfing the boat down waves with the occasional whale rolling by for our enjoyment – still have a grin on my face.
WHITE WATCH
Arty – No time for a blog today concentrating on keeping up 17.1 knots!!!
Clem –. Hello All, having the time of my life not a hint of sea sickness, hit 17 Knots and got a close up of a couple of whales on the last watch. Happy birthday
Stephan – Having a great time!! Quote from the skipper this morning “this is what it must be like, living in a washing machine”. Hard work last night but it is great when you pulling in the Yankee and your head is under water at the bow in gale to severe gale force winds with a serious swell making the boat go all over the place!! Love and kisses to all my readers!!
Kris – Hi all, having a great time, although hard work at times, been in hospital, been for a swim, spent a few nights with the RAF, saw a couple of whales and just about getting my head around sailing, how many other people can say that!!
BLUE WATCH
Al – A few days and nights and this adventure is already meeting expectations. Some top notch sailing and excitements of the sort I’ve been dreaming of, Some great YouTube material captured. Hope the building works are going well again this side of the New Year. Can’t wait to see the progress but can’t help thinking a yacht might have been a good alternative. Hugs and kisses. And still got some bubbles left in the lucky bubble wrap!
Russ – Living the dream - despite the seasickness! Unusually for me, every time I go near the galley (and practically anywhere below deck) I get overwhelmed by a desire to lie down and close my eyes -probably penance for not having been to sea for so long! Still, doing my best to create the occasional culinary masterpiece to keep the rest of the crew happy. Hope Beamish is keeping you amused Jo and our bump is behaving him/herself. Only 10 days to go now Rxxx
Tab – I’m alright. Trying not to get a sun tan but it seems to be compulsory.
Gemma – Have got to say although I haven’t been feeling to great, this is a unbelievable experience. Think I may have finally got over the sea sickness now. Whoop whoop. Its incredible to see the birds and dolphins, haven’t seen any whales yet but the trip is still young. The stars are so bright, there are so many. Would only be better if the clouds would stay away, also make steering to a point easier if you had the stars there to look at. Love you all, mum, I’m safe and haven’t broken anything, dad, yes I am eating properly. Give the girls a big hug from me. xxx
