Page 88 - Cormorant Issue 20 2017

PAGE 86
Ex CORMORANT DASH – ACSC Sailing Expedition
Lt Col Jamie Stuart
AFTER MUCH FURIOUS PLANNING and preparation (why do they make it so dif cult?), the day for setting sail dawned bright and
breezy, perfect weather for a sailing trip. The ever eager crews rapidly vittled the yachts (De nition – the procurement and stowing
off Victuals / getting food and drink on board) and got down to exciting crew briefs and stowing of gear. The three yachts Tern, Skua and Petasus, crewed by a crack team from ACSC set sail en route to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. All was going well until the propeller fell off Petasus. You might be asking yourself why a propeller is signi cant when you are supposed to be sailing, but as the crew of Petasus found out, having no power in a tight mooring can de nitely get the heart racing. Through some very quick action, Rich the skipper managed to get Petasus back alongside without destroying the rest of the marina. The trip was now down to two yachts as Petasus, the largest yacht of them all, was not xable within the time available. A quick rearrangement of crew and stores and the depleted eet departed Gosport. A forlorn bunch of sailors then had to make their way back to Shrivenham and join the remainder of the landlubbers for the trip by ferry.
Following an uneventful, but very useful, shake out sail the crews of Tern and Skua arrived at Cowes, the mecca of sailors, and patting themselves on the back the crews did what all sailors do when they arrive in a new port - have a run ashore (drinks and
food for those not up with the lingo). Slightly fuzzier the next day, the boats split with Tern heading off for an early crossing of the channel whilst Skua decided to hunt down ice creams in Osborne Bay. After a calm but enjoyable 18 hour crossing both boats arrived at Ouistreham none the worse for wear. The crew of Skua were escorted by a dolphin for part of the journey, just to make sure Jez managed to nd the port. A celebratory run ashore was therefore required in ne naval tradition following the arduous crossing. A lazy day followed with the crew of Skua recceing their future hotel location in Caen by boat and subsequently ruining the photos of Pegasus bridge for those already on the staff ride.
With the yachts safely delivered (well two of them anyway), the A team then took command and readied themselves for the homeward leg. Vittle-less and with a nasty squall brewing the intrepid crews
decided to make a quick run east down the coast to Dives sur Mer. The squall failed to fully materialise and it turned into a lovely evening sail, although
the very tight passage into the marina did de nitely cause some increased heart rates. The inevitable run ashore followed and the inhabitants of Dives sur Mer and Cabourg were graced by the presence of the “Kawasaki Jet Ski Team” who were allegedly