Page 47 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

On the 11th of August 2017, eight Officer Cadets from 33 Platoon Borneo Company departed Sandhurst for a week of sailing in
the Solent. The cadet-led expedition, organised by skipper OCdt Beckett and first mate OCdt Heron, planned to sail from Gosport down to Poole, and then sail back up the coast to Gos- port. After a term of torrential rain, the joys of CS gas and the mad rush that is the commissioning parade, a week of sailing in the Solent was set- ting up to be the perfect end to the Intermediate Term before starting our final term at Sandhurst.
After a sleepy drive down to Gosport, we picked up our yacht, Petasus, a 37ft Royal Signals rac- ing cruiser. With only two out of the crew hav- ing any sailing experience, OCdt Beckett had the tough job of trying to teach five novices the basics of preparing the yacht for leaving and slipping the lines. After a quick dry run through and having stocked the galley with as much food as we could fit, we slipped the lines and left the marina without crashing. We quickly motored over to the other side of Portsmouth harbour, where we would spend the evening before an early start the next day.
After a good night’s sleep (barring OCdt Cannon who had forgotten his sleeping bag), the OCdts departed from Portsmouth for Cowes. On the journey, we learnt how to raise the main sail and jib before moving onto man overboard drills. Much to OCdt Gunton’s disappointment, we weren’t allowed to use
other crew members as the man overboard, but instead had to settle for a fender. After nailing it first time (beginners luck), we docked for the night in Cowes marina.
We departed early the next day after enjoy- ing a yogurt shake and bacon sandwich (bor- ing avocado sandwich for the two veggies) in the renowned Tiffin’s Cafe, in order to catch the tides and favourable winds for the long sail
down to Poole. This turned out to be the best days sailing on the trip with perfect weather and winds, allowing us to tack nearly the whole way there. Due to the length of the journey, the two OCdts, who were on galley duty, had the unique experience of preparing lunch whilst sailing. It’s safe to say that OCdts Hogg and Knights did not enjoy themselves and subsequently felt sea sick for the rest of the day. Due to good winds and tides we arrived in good time to anchor, and for some to gain the experience of swimming in the delightfully warm* waters of the Solent.
After staying in Poole we began our journey back up to Gosport via Cowes and Port Solent, meeting up with another crew from Sandhurst before returning the yacht. This expedition would not have been possible without the support and funding from the Sand- hurst Trust, the Com- mandants Fund and the Royal Signals Yacht Club, and our thanks go
to them.
*the water was most definitely not warm!!!
Exercise NEPTUNE CADET
SANDHURST 45