The Arc
Table of Contents Launch Day..........................03 Smooth settle..........................04 Whales and Winds..........................05 All shapes & sizes..........................06 About time!..........................07 Milk Mayday..........................08 Ocean Liaisons..........................09 There she blows!..........................10 Rota, repeat, rota, repeat..........................11 Birthday Boy..........................12 Non Mayday..........................13 Coming to an end!..........................14 Timeless..........................15 Parasailor, Round Two!..........................16 Boating Disco, random light included!..........................17 Ford Focus & fancy bikinis..........................18 Shortcuts..........................19 Role reversal..........................20 Rum ashore! The finish line..........................21
Launch Day 21.11.21 Early morning I wake up pretty excited, so is the rest of the crew. A quick run along the front of Las Palmas helped steady the energy. Back to the boat. Final boat jobs include rigging check, provision check, crew breakfast and saying farewell to the dog on the boat next door! S’Westerly force two with sunny intervals, looking to stay the same for 24 hours or so. Yachts, inflatables and a sense of excitement greeted the harbour entrance. Scally’s Arc was about to begin. With months of planning and the start line on our bow a sense of relief that we were underway was my overriding feeling. 153 boats, all shapes and sizes hosting a variety of crew including several families from all over the world started at 1230. Cannons away! Flying fish greeted us at 20 nautical miles along with the wonderful sight of the racing division streaming along. Watch rotations started as did the slow cooking fish curry. Happy crew, steady ship and our first night sail ahead. Camaraderie, all in it together and the ocean being our common bond is the perfect mixture of why I love sailing and why this Scallywag will always pursue the sea.
Smooth settle 22.11.21 Day two, routines settling in. Mainsail up but motoring as little wind. The gentle hum of the engine is the sound track to this first 24 hours as is the slight echo that it sends through the two hulls. Still S’Westerly force one / two. Sunny intervals. Female crew members braiding hair, males fishing and doing food prep. Yacht behaving nicely but then no extremes as yet. As someone who is responsible for arranging and managing the crew, the hardest role is making sure everyone mucks in and contributes. My role is often to mediate between the Owner / Skipper and the crew, thus ironing out any initial issues. This can sometimes become more of the job than the actual sailing itself. Hence, assembling the appropriate crew for each different voyage I manage is a key role to the development and as such the success of Sailing Scallywag. Bill Tilman often spoke highly of the crew he would assemble, the irony of which his first mate who then he became first mate for was the voyage that he lost his life on. Boating brings together people from all over the world, regardless of age, social standing, culture or persuasion when you are all on a vessel together it strips away any airs and graces but also exposes immediately those not made for boating life!
Whales and winds 23.11.21 The first few days of any long passage is always daunting as you are dealing with so many different perimeters. Clients, weather and in this case a 42ft Catamaran. After a frustrating first 28 hours of motor sailing, we finally were able to hoist the parasail. Immediately the peace from not having the engine chugging was apparent and the vessel felt calmer. With that came the arrival of a pod of whales clearly preferring the parasail to the engine. The sun shone and the crew were all settled into the new watch pattern. Following that I took my leave and found some time on deck watching the horizon. I never tire of observing the ocean and one of the many joys of a night watch is the phosperence. Under a jolly moon and a clear sky, this evening’s showing was no exception. The Sailing Scallywag business is built from the desire to give clients the opportunity to experience and enjoy what the ocean and mother nature brings. Being part of The Arc Rally and the fleet sailing toward the Caribbean is no exception. The irony of this is as I travel downwind towards St Lucia I am already plotting my anchorages for Spring and Summer 2022 along the South West Coast. Sailing is one big adventure and whether in the Atlantic or off a harbour in Cornwall it always brings equally excitement and joy to both myself and hopefully my clients / those who sail with me. I never take for granted the strength of the sea but also with that relish the challenges it brings, as I end this piece, I can feel the wind picking up a few knots and what started as a slow passage may quickly become a faster one as we swing right towards the Caribbean!
All shapes & sizes 24.11.21 Side Track, a 42ft Cat with all the trimmings. Three cabins, two showers and all the latest tech, what more could one need at sea! Since the start of the rally a variety of boats have taken part. That is what makes this event so special. Having spent many hours on a monohull in a variety of seas being on the ocean in a catamaran is a totally different experience. She surfs rather than heels and it is as if you are on a steady platform that greets the dolphins and turtles as they swim underneath the trampoline. With a microwave, tv and three fridges one does not crave anything more, but it does make me miss the simplicity and soul of a good classic monohull. My Tradewind enjoys a swell, she is cosy, has a stunning deck but most of all she is a sailing boat! You can have all the luxury in the world, but nothing beats that feeling of actually properly sailing and using the winds to guide you through the waves. For me too much comfort complicates a trip and detracts from the TRUE ART of sailing a ship. Looking at the achievements of many sailors gone by their sheer bravery, hardiness but simple appreciation for the sea and using their senses to navigate it is what I Sailing Scallywag always go back too.
About time! 25.11.21 Having got the boat to Las Palmas for The Arc from La Rochelle, I have been on the boat for ten weeks, let us talk fishing, or shall I say lack of fish! Every sailor likes to yarn about his fishing prowess, sadly it took 11 weeks for this ship to be able to claim that fame. As the crew were resting the sound of the reels on the rods spinning sent everyone into an instant frenzy. The frenetic activity came from learning by past fishing mistakes. Last week we got one, but then promptly lost it, we were determined this was not going to be a repeat performance. Looking astern of the boat we could see our catch shining bright and putting up a fight! Our skipper was giving instructions, we were poised. BOOM, there it was. Supper and lunch. A few fishcakes later and slice of lime knocked up by one of the crew, the fish had put a smile on everyone’s face. Fresh fish, crossing the Tropic of Cancer and a glass of vino, crikey it is a hard life!
Milk Mayday 26.11.21 As a man who functions on coffee, particularly on voyages that involve endless night sails, it is a KEY PROVISION. Now with in that coffee I do enjoy a little milk. It is at this point I can report we have a milk shortage already, so the Skipper has put a milk ration system in place. Now, I know the likes of Knox-Johnston and Shackleton would probably be man enough to have their coffee black, but the joy of a coffee with milk on a night watch is a Scallywag pleasure. On updating my crew, you would have thought the world had ended, but hey as I said milk is not everything! As that small boating drama ended, we were greeted with a joy, that being the sploshing sound from the bow of a pod of dolphins. A species of dolphin I had not seen, the Spinner. There was me thinking that was a day full of excitement over and done with, but more was to follow as the wind increased and a scrummy little Force Four greeted us. One of the things that amazes me about The Arc is how a fleet of boats begins then within hours we are miles apart. Having said that I had a gentle reminder that you can never be too careful when we had a radio intervention that we were on a collision course with a boat also doing The Arc – all was well, we will yarn with the yacht owners over a beer in St Lucia. It was a lovely reminder that the human spirit and communication is what binds us as humans but ultimately Sailors from all over the world.
Ocean Liaisons! 27.11.21 Confined spaces can often bring out the worst in people, but on boats it can often bring out the best in souls. Below decks anything can happen, the drama is not always confined to sailing, human liaisons can cause a stir on any vessel. The trampoline on the bow of the boat is where I first spotted the potential for a little “happening” between two of my crew members. Toes were touching and glances exchanged. Remaining professional is a key part of what I drill into my team and when on a client’s boat one must monitor this. With two female crew in amongst my male team there was inevitably going to be some amorous exchanges. Having worked on boats for many years and with a history in the Marines, I know that one where females are not involved leads to zero hot happenings, but when you add ladies into the mix as in the sailing world fires ignite. Women make great crew, they can be hardy, resourceful. soften a situation and are often more intuitive about the weather, the waves and situations in general than some men, but throw a man and woman at sea for a few days together and there can be carnage! I should have known better and after initial introductions between the latest crew I had already called it. The male in question said no way, given two days at sea, that question was answered. Cabin doors gently being shut and “off duty” times being used with care meant I had now to manage the rest of the passage with crew who were involved. As The Arc continued and we made our way across the Atlantic the sunsets came and went. The sea in general has inspired many poets, authors and artists to capture it’s magic but one thing that you can be sure of is the sea captures hearts in more ways than one.
There she blows! 28.11.21 With the wind blowing at a Force Six the passage had picked up a whole new pace, we were flying across the waves. With the ladies onboard using coffee granules as the basis for a face pack the ship’s happenings had taken on a whole new realm, further to this was the use of lemon on their hair to go blonder! Spa day was very much in progress as we rolled through the ocean. It makes me chuckle, even at a Force Six with a choppy sea state the girls still manage to pamper themselves. Playing one of the crew regularly at back gammon, I was slowly becoming the King of this game in between watches, in addition to this the crew had begun swapping books to move the time along between night and day. A week in and time has disappeared, we role with the hours, the watches and the sea state. As this happens and I have a few hours to myself in my bunk I am planning my future Sailing Scallywag endeavours. As I write this there is a huge bang on deck. As we all know the very nature of sailing brings with it various risks and dangers. The parasail has blown. What is a disaster to the Skipper is just another opportunity to sail the real way for me. Our head & main sail goes up, ropes are coiled, and we are back on track. Solo crossings, race events which include both my running and sailing are all my motivators for the coming year. As is the prospect of never working a day in my life as my job is doing what I love, Sailing!
Rota, repeat, rota, repeat 29.11.21 As we move across the Atlantic and the days pass at sea, patience between the team is starting to wane. With that another rota appears. Within my business I make sure my Crew are briefed on the Rules and Regs when on a client’s boat, but sometimes the client can overstep the mark, this being the case currently. An obsession with cleaning, picking up cups and constantly chasing my crew is beginning to become tiresome. We are all adults and when someone employees me to do a job they have to trust me, that trust has now gone. My role is to manage this back to a positive and reassure the Owner and bring the ship back to a happy place. Everything is relative, the owner of the boat is concerned with regards any leftover food post the trip. As we discuss this, and I reassure them the news that someone has sadly died on another vessel brings it back to the reality that life at sea has ups and downs and that we can never take it for granted.
Birthday Boy 30.11.21 Laughing with the birthday boy about stories of the past marked today as one for the memory box. Sat on the foredeck of the boat swapping yarns was a brilliant moment. We toasted his latest year with a beer which added to his already belly full of cheap cooking wine! As we pondered our working life together in the marines, things were greasing up in the kitchen! “Who left the top off the olive oil?” Next thing we knew all hands on deck as we had an oil spill, no environmental disaster but thank goodness this was not Strictly Come Dancing night as this floor was only good for covering olives in! The fish must have known there was happenings in the kitchen, flying fish were throwing themselves on deck ready for din dins! Instantly knocking themselves to fishy heaven we admired their aerodynamic wings. One step closer to St Lucia but deep set in the Atlantic we were now at the mercy of some squalls. One tested the crew’s agility, sense of humour and the Skipper looked a little lost during the event – as I always say things may look calm on the surface but never get complacent, storms can whip up at any time both with the weather and the crew. Once again, I find myself managing the expectations of those on board, the human soul is a complicated one but my some make it more complicated than it really needs to be. Right back to rescuing the flying fish…..
Non Mayday 1.12.21 With every boat comes the heads, the potential for blockages whilst at sea excelled themselves on this trip! With one of the female crew alerting me to their loo not flushing we then also realised the male loo was not 100%. Before long I found my head down both basins with a plunger! Certainly not the glamourous vision one has of doing the Arc but the reality of life at sea with crew and pooh! After a rather gruesome hour and three toilets later I was an expert on the plumbing system within this vessel. With blockages now clear it meant all crew were able to resume normal ablutions and I had possibly the worst job of clearing these in the past. Having started the day with the above things could only improve but sadly there was further drama to follow. With a call coming through on the VHF our Skipper was put to the test. Another vessel had lost one of their rudders, they were not taking on water and were in a comfortable state with one rudder remaining, so as far as our Skipper was concerned not an emergency. With one rudder remaining you still have the ability to steer as well as other ways of controlling your vessel if that second rudder failed. Our Skipper did not view this as a Mayday or a Pan Pan so we reassured them and carried on. It wasn’t long before another call came through, again asking for our assistance. It is times like these when human nature and conscience is really challenged. The rules of engagement with regards what is considered an emergency were discussed on our vessel and we still did not view this as an emergency. It transpired that crew used their life raft and abandoned the vessel to drift. Considering the circumstances, I would not have done this. In my eyes it is more dangerous to leave a non-sinking vessel than getting in the life raft. I was always taught to stay with the boat until the last possible moment. It does play on one’s mind with regards duty of care of your fellow sailors, but we had to consider our crew, their safety and that we would be beating seven miles in strong winds to reach the vessel. Two emergencies is not something we wanted. It is times like these that you re-evaluate how and why you do things and once again reminds me that at sea you never stop learning.
Coming to an end! 2.12.21 The hammocks containing the fresh fruit and vegetables are now looking barren, a sign that the rest of the trip will now be tinned food. I guess we count ourselves lucky that we have had this luxury so far. One of the Crew is an exceptional cook so it is bonus to have him onboard. He takes the most mundane of ingredients and turns it into something delicious. I have to say one of the highlights of this trip has been learning from the chap in question, cooking has never been one of my strong points but now I can rustle up something half decent, it would make my mother proud! The Sailing Scallywag business is all about ensuring anyone involved on a trip be it boat owner or crew understands their role onboard but also It is important people have fun, even during potential stressful times. There has been a number of occasions this week where tempers could have flared but as the one over seeing this ship I find ways around putting any “human fires” out. You never stop learning at sea, this trip so far has taught me about things I would not have envisaged, cooking and key fishing techniques, it seems all down to the lure you use. Happy days.
Timeless 3.12.21 Birthday time again on the high seas, currently running at one a week during the Arc. Balloons, cake and good cheer during the Mid-Atlantic. With my client moving to a new age whilst at sea it set me thinking about time. As we pass another nautical mile it always amazes me that once you have been out of sight of land for a couple of days’ time and time zones become irrelevant. You are guided simply by sunsets, sunrises, the stars and day light. This as mentioned before is one of the fundamental reasons WHY I love the ocean and sailing. It does away with the constraints of our World which I believe has become overly complicated and takes you back to a place where simplicity and nature are in charge and as such is timeless. As I ponder on this thought the fishing line fizzes away, another catch! A hulk of a fish, a marlin. As we reel it in, 10ft away from the boat it makes it’s escape and a big part of me sighs with relief. I love eating fresh fish and using what the ocean kindly provides us on sailing adventures but saying that it is always lovely when one gets away and is a gentle reminder that nature always has the upper hand!
Parasailor, Round Two! 4.12.21 With a few days gone by goose winging the Skipper decided that we would give the parasailor a second chance under new circumstances. Having been warned in round one that the gusts were too strong for the sail the Captain’s determination to prove his team wrong ended in embarrassment when the rivets aloft broke. Given a few days we were then asked to remove the headsail and mainsail and low and behold the parasailor would appear, this time attached from the mast but with the fixed roller, once again eyebrows were raised as the instinct from many was that this would not be a good alternative. Having been flown for a couple of hours things seemed to be going okay but with a check-up the mast it showed a near disaster, the parasailor was inches away from snapping free from the mast, flying forward of the bow, in the water, under the hulls and no doubt around the prop. The Skipper spotted this, acted quickly as realised his error and the crew rallied around. We were lucky. Had this gone a second time we would have had severe problems. It shows that at sea arrogance and not listening to those that are part of your team can lead to problems, this event was no exception. Crew were also too frightened to speak up at points. One of whom sat up all night during the first event as she could hear the gusts rising and thought this will not hold. As ever my business must be built around safety first. I warned the Skipper, comments were passed but sometimes you meet people who wish to try and control the ocean rather than listen to its warning signs!
Boating Disco, random light included! 5.12.21 Two weeks in and cabin fever has started. Nothing a little Soul Music and some wine wouldn’t sort to loosen the crew and spirits. As the days become weeks the small things all make a difference. Included in this is will we get our “daily catch”, the answer on this two-week mark was YES. As the line fizzed it was quickly evident the crew had caught their first tuna, Sushi all round. Supper is served each evening at 8pm and with those yarns discussing the day’s highs and lows. One of the highs being the designated Chef on the trip being known for his dance moves and another one of our lady crew being known for her penchant for a smoothie! It takes all sorts in life and being on a boat for over two weeks together brings out the true personalities of each and everyone. During my night watch as everyone else slept an orange glow appeared astern of the boat. So Bright that it made me turn around and think was it a flare. Having spoken with some friends who had rowed the Atlantic last year they had mentioned strange happenings during their voyage, I wondered if I would see such occurrences and low and behold, I did. It was not a distress flare, more like an orange glow that followed the curve of the world. My instinct says something space related, it had to be – or were we about to be abducted by Aliens?! Who knows but whatever it was a moment in my sailing life that will stay with me. I am sure those aliens would have returned me quickly as I am currently on day five without a shower, I think it is referred to as the natural look! Nothing like a salty sea dog and every Arc needs one!
Ford Focus & fancy bikinis 6.12.21 Nothing like a female crew onboard to soften any tensions and always provide an interesting approach to appropriate sailing clothing! Bikinis have been the main stay of this trip, not exactly ideal when hauling away but nevertheless entertaining as the women on the boat seem to own it and fair play. Oh also threw in a straw hat there for good measure! This yacht is considered a luxury vessel. After 15 weeks of usage the boat is already showing signs of bad build quality. An example, the mast is making a rather ominous creaking sound, the auto helm is leaking, and we have already in Porto had to have an engine replaced. Now I am not one to shirk luxury but there is a clear definition between real quality and plastic fantastic. This boat is the latter. I am of course not bias (okay a little!) as I own a classy Trade Wind 33 with fine lines, a lovely deck and a teak cock pit but most of a solid cruising boat with personality. The boat I am working on is shall we say a little like a wet weekend. Not much clout and already showing it’s seams, not your Bentley, more your Ford Focus with add ons! Choosing a boat is a big investment but it is not all about how much money you spend. It is about research, considering how you wish to use the yacht and what latitudes your heart desires to sail too. For me boat owner ship also has to extend behind the hype of having the fanciest vessel, it is about the people you meet, the places you venture to but most of all the freedom and joy that being at sea gives you.
Shortcuts 7.12.21 Squalls and heavy rain welcome the crew today, the sea state was not heavy but unpredictable, I knew it would be one of those days! As the Skipper pottered about the vessel I offered to help with any jobs, the reply was no. I with all my clients do my upmost to make sure that I am always present, hands on where the captain requires it but equally understand when to keep my distance, this was one of those occasions. This is not just isolated to me but also the crew. They are all keen to assist and support and have been briefed on doing so but now it feels like they are all just waiting in the side-lines. I have also noticed that with the female crew he will always intervene half through a procedure being carried out which undermines their ability. In my eyes there are no men and women on boats, we are all sailors together. During my afternoon watch it was decided we would put a reef in. We all know the two options, head straight into the wind under engine or reef close hauled. Our Skipper was reluctant to turn into the wind and has been all throughout the voyage. One of the necessities of sailing a boat is to confidently be able to change your point of sail, heading into the wind to facilitate this is one of the ways of doing it. I am baffled by the fact this Skipper seems to avoid heading into the wind at any point. If I mention the word beating into the wind, there is a look of terror on his face. Being a Sailor, you are at the mercy of the wind; therefore you have to work with all perimeters that she throws at you. This fear of going into the wind is an example of a small minority of sailors that I am encountering that want the smooth without the rough. With the decision not to beat into the wind to reef but instead do so down wind we were about to encounter that infamous moment of the crash gybe. In all walks of life listening and taking advice is a good thing, on this occasion the Skipper would have done well to listen and engage with his First Mate who had offered up advice when asked! Luckily we got away with it, only damage to the traveller but once again a good example of why there is no place for arrogance on a boat.
Role reversal 8.12.21 Sailing Scallywag is based around bringing people together and giving a variety of individuals an opportunity. Whether male or female I see everyone on the ocean as a sailor rather than defined by their gender. During this trip with six of us onboard there has been three males and three females, a great ratio. In times gone by Sailing and the high seas were more dominated by males. I am delighted to say that as my business develops so does the interest from women from all walks of life looking to either learn to sail or get back into sailing.
The Arc is no exception. Two of the crew during this Rally and as part of Scally’s crew are ladies. With them they bring strength, resourcefulness and an enthusiasm to learn. They are curious and ask questions. Yes we have had hair braiding, face packs and nail painting on this trip but fundamentally the women have, as ever, stepped up to the mark and make brilliant sailors. Within the sailing industry it has an old school reputation for being a man’s world but many of the women I know are tougher, more resilient and savvier than a lot of males. By this measure we should celebrate women at sea and only need to look at the achievements of females such as Marie Taberly to be inspired. I must admit I won’t deny that myself and one of my male crew ourselves have indulged in a face pack, haircuts, moustache trims and if anything, more time has been spent on our appearance on this voyage than the ladies, so what does that say! It takes a lot to look like a Salty Sea dog, oh and yes there may have even been a pair of dodgy speedos worn at one point. The Arc I am sure will ban Sailing Scallywag next year for this crime alone and no doubt the females will be the running the show!
Rum ashore! The finish line. 9.12.21 After two and a half weeks, countless coffees, endless star gazing, plenty of banter and yes some sailing we have crossed the finishing line for the Arc. The crew are delighted, the Skipper and his wife also beaming and I as Sailing Scallywag am already planning my next adventure. As with everything there were highs and lows. To be honest, being on a luxury vessel with gentle sea states and calm winds the crossing was easy. I have had harder encounters in the Bay Of Biscay and around the Coastal waters of the UK. I in no way wish bad weather or overly challenging times on those who sail but one of the joys of sailing is the adventure and ultimately the challenge. With this trip the sailing has held no challenges but instead as ever with humans that was where the drama occurred! I cannot wait to get back to my Tradewind, get her ready for the season in 2022 and get some proper sailing under my belt. I have plans to venture to the Caribbean in her at some point and then solo back with Falmouth as my end destination. Sailing Scallywag is about giving clients an adventure and a thirst for the sea but I am also human and sometimes things do not always go to plan. This was one job that taught me many things but most of all that by working hard I am then able to afford the luxury of having my own boating time. Solitude, solo sailing and the force I cannot see taking me around the globe. The truest kind of love. As I depart the boat and send the crew on their way I cannot wait to see my family who arrive in St Lucia for Christmas. Being able to share my adventures and experiences with them is a motivator to all I do. The sea and my family are one and the same to me, my everything. I would like to end this log with saying a thank you to The Arc and all those who have spent hours organising it. It has been a blast. Right, where is that Rum Punch!?