Page 60 - LBV 2017

INTER-COMPANY TRAINING & VISITS
Ex BLUE ODIN 2016
It is with bittersweet happiness that I record
the glorious but final series of Exercise BLUE ODIN. While we do very much hope for a future iteration in the UK, the closure of Kiel Yacht Club - as part of the drawdown of British forces in Germany - marks the end of this inter-OTC sailing extravaganza. Many
readers will remember Blue Odin
with fond memories; they will thus
be pleased to hear that this year
lived up to the highest standards.
In early September a full crew set
out from the ARC. The good ship
Pochard was expertly skippered
by OCdt George Tetley, with further experience provided by OCdt Oli Wettern and JUO Laurel Townsend. The other four crew members - JUO Georgie Logan, OCdt Natalie Lambert, JUO Miles
IC JUO Barton setting course
58 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER
The Pochard IX; for the last time (L-R) OCdt Wettern, JUO Barton, JUO Block, JUO Townsend, JUO Logan, OCdt Tetley, OCdt Lambert
Block, and JUO Chris Barton (i/c trip) - had no sailing experience. They were soon to learn the exceptional value which sail training provides for team-building and character development in a novel environment, aided by bags of controlled exposure to risk.
After briefings, and taking
over the boats and equipment,
it was necessary to stock up on provisions. The ten yachts then set off for a shake-out sail in the Kiel area. Pochard’s sail no. 1
was to prove apt, with slick drills meaning that we were often to the
fore of the flotilla. It did, however, also mean that none less than the Commandant of KYC would be personally skippering our yacht back to Gosport after the week concluded, adding an extra frisson of excitement to the clean-down at the end...
The general route over our six days of
sailing took us for the most part north into
Danish waters. From KYC we ventured up to Sonderborg, where we were lucky to moor near a splendid Russian tall ship; indeed a highlight of the trip were the number of splendid larger sailing vessels we saw, both at a distance and closer up. After our first day’s full sail many were keen to unwind ashore in the delightful bar and club
of this thriving metropolis, and some had to be restrained from carrying mementoes of the town away as courtesy flags.
From Sonderborg, a gentle day’s sail took us
The ten yachts then set off for a shake-out sail in the Kiel area.