Exercise Transglobe crews find their sealegs in rough waters

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 18 Jul 2009
Exercise Transglobe is a major Tri-Service Adventurous Sail Training Exercise open to all UK service personnel, Regular and Reserve, from June 2009 to July 2010. The aim of the exercise is to develop the personal qualities essential to Regular and Reserve members of HM Forces through adventurous sail training in a Service environment.

Leg 1: Portsmouth/Southsea – Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Distance: 1620nm

After two years in the planning and a truly memorable start day full of hugs and tears, heartfelt words, blessings, family and some celebrity fun and hundreds of photo opportunities, Exercise Transglobe, the tri-services adventurous training expedition, taking in 13 stopovers around the world over the next 12 months, finally set off from Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth almost a week ago.

Since then the three identical 67ft steel hulled yachts named Adventure (Royal Navy), Challenger (Army) and Discoverer (Royal Air Force), each carrying 14 crew on board, have encountered some pretty tough weather conditions as they headed into and across the Bay of Biscay en route to Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

We have just had a report in from Discoverer explaining the reason why the track of this yacht on the official website (http://www.exercisetransglobe.com) shows them going south across the Bay of Biscay to the North coast of Spain. On Day 4 the wheel steering mechanism stopped working and they had to fit the emergency tiller. The weather was particularly rough (normal for the Bay) so the skipper took them to a sheltered area where they could repair the steering. As soon as they had that done they were off again and are currently sailing off the coast of Portugal lying second to the Navy Yacht Adventure with the Army yacht Challenger some 70 km behind them.

Cadet Flight Sgt Emma Sweetman, 18 years old and based at 413 Aldershot Sqn, is amongst those crewing on board Discoverer. Emma has been a member of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight wing of the Air Cadets for three years and she has been contributing to the crews’ daily blog entries so far received:

Day 1: Sat 11 July 2009

Crew arrived on board at 0630 to make the final preparations to depart. We motored across to Portsmouth Gunwarf Quays at 0730.

Families arrived at 0900 for the departure brunch at Tiger Tiger. Peder was hauled up the mast for a final safety inspection of the mast! Families were shown around the yachts and finally there was a dedication ceremony before we all said our farewells.

The Yachts slipped from Gunwarf at 1200 for the procession departure out of Portsmouth Harbour prior to the start at Southsea at 1300.

Beating upwind out of the Solent wind started to pick up towards the evening up to 33Kts, leading to an eventful night; a number of the crew were violently ill throughout the night! This was a shame as the supper was gourmet Spaghetti Bolognese - the fish had a good meal at least. . . . .

Day 2: Sun 12 July 2009

The wind eased toward dawn, and the sun finally came out at 0930. Many of the sleeping crew were awoken by the sound of Steve's retching; to the tune of the the mating call of the North Atlantic Walrus!! Consequently breakfast was porridge; most of the crew kept that one down!

The motor came on to allow us to form up on the other 2 boats and escape the channel before the tide turned. Supper was bangers 'n' mash; Gordon Ramsay would have been proud!

Day 3: Mon 13 July 2009

A mixed overnight watch saw showers in between stunning moonlit seas. The coast of Brittany was just about visible on the horizon. Sunrise was again a stunning sight before the winds picked up and the sea grew choppier. Breakfast was a splendid scrambled egg, beans and bacon on toast; the vast majority dealt with that one!!

This seemed to be the best day yet; good winds (up to 30Kts) and reasonable seas with the sun well and truly on parade. To escort us to the Bay of Biscay a pod of Dolphins gave a cracking display and we were visited by a low-flying Beech King-Air, probably Customs or Fishery Patrol, before we put out more canvas and cranked up the pace.

Heading Southbound into the Bay of Biscay most of the day to outrun an area of low pressure before heading Westbound to get back on course.

Day 4: Tues 14 July 2009

One word to describe day 4 'WET!' Throughout the day the yacht was reaching some interesting angles. Dolphins were yet again spotted alongside the yacht. Around 0800hrs we experienced slight difficulties as the steering failed at the hands of Mike (aka Stretchy).

This leading to the Skipper (aka Canary Bob) saving the day, hoorah! Points to note of the day do not and I repeat do not sit on the leeward side as it will result in you becoming very WET! Evening meal was a concoction of chicken and potatoes of which many referred to as an inferno of peppered goodness ..yum!

Day 5: Wed 15 July 2009

Everyone seems to have found their sea legs today, and the crew was looking much better (even Steve). Early morning saw some good winds which pushed us onto our destination as a steady pace; but as the day progressed the winds died - on the up side however the sun came out so the crew managed to dry out some of their kit, that had received a soaking earlier on in the week. Weather forecasts are looking like rain so we made the most of things today, and are battening down the hatches for tomorrow.

Track the yachts’ progress at: http://www.exercisetransglobe.com