Exercise Transglobe Leg 1 - Fleet arrive in Lanzarote

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 22 Jul 2009
The three 67ft steel-hulled yachts taking part in Exercise Transglobe, the tri-services adventurous training expedition that set off from Portsmouth on 11 July, have all docked safely in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands.

The yachts ADVENTURE (Royal Navy), CHALLENGER (Army) and DISCOVERER (Royal Air Force), each carrying 14 crew on board, have encountered some tough weather conditions along their route which took them across the Bay of Biscay.

First Leg Line Honours went to the Royal Navy boat, Adventure, that tied up to the dock on Monday evening 20th July. The jubilant skipper Michael Symes said:

'Following crossing the line with honours I would to take this opportunity to thank the Navy crew of Adventure for their total professionalism from the moment we crossed the start line and finishing in Lanzarote. Each crew member proved under some testing conditions crossing Biscay, and constantly changing tail winds from Finisterre to Lanzarote, that they were grasping the patience and stamina required for blue water sailing. Their ability to learn quickly all the different sail plans I required to keep the boat ahead was a joy. Thank you for being a great crew.'

The Royal Air Force yacht Discoverer arrived early morning on Tuesday 21st July, and their trip was marred by a steering breakage during the passage through Biscay – during a force 8 storm. They managed to make some temporary repairs, and The Skipper, ‘Canary Bob’ who has been visiting Lanzarote for years, was working hard on the steering assembly almost as soon as they had docked. The RAF team seems to have suffered the most from sea sickness, having several crew members out of action for a day or two in Biscay. They were unceremoniously nicknamed 'Deck Gremlins'. Tornado pilot Ollie Moncrieff and four female crew members Anna, Charn, Emma and Leanne when asked to sum up their experience, all said it was hard work, but an amazing experience.

The Army boat, Challenger, was the last to arrive at Puerto Calero late afternoon on Tuesday 21st July after several technical problems that contributed to their 3rd place finish. Once again the Bay of Biscay was their undoing. The mainsail cars were damaged by a gust of wind, so they had to rig a temporary repair. To add to the problems, they also lost communications which meant the crew were unable to upload blogs, photos or contact their families. They had to wait a few days for calmer weather, and were then able to repair the main and refit it to the mast – no mean task on a fast-moving yacht. The yacht then enjoyed a decent run with the wind behind them, goose winging (sails out either side) to get maximum speed, at which point their next disaster struck when a rope became wrapped around the propeller! This necessitated one brave crewman going over the side with a pair of goggles and slowly unwrapping the rope – all in a heavy swell.

The local website http://www.lanzaroteinformation.com has covered the yachts’ arrival with great on-the-spot reporting, running excerpts from crew blogs etc, and author Miguel commenting:

'The team spirit is excellent on board all the vessels, and there’s a friendly rivalry between the teams. All ranks are represented, from Colonels and Squadron Leaders, to senior NCOs, Privates and Cadets. However, rank had been put aside for the trip, egos packed away, and everyone was just getting on with doing their best and enjoying the experience. That camaraderie and team work is what makes British Forces amongst the world’s best, and it was a pleasure to meet a fine bunch of folks who are representing their colleagues so well.

The crews are on the island until Saturday 1st August when their replacements arrive to take on Leg 2 and 3,600nm to Rio de Janeiro that starts on 5th August. Meanwhile the crews will enjoy some well deserved R&R in the sunshine and a few short sailing trips to keep their hand in.

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