Page 40 - Bugle Spring 2023

6 RIFLES
SAILING
Sou-Wester Bugle was a Level 3 (Internal) Adventurous Training (AT) Offshore Sailing Exercise by personnel from 6 RIFLES over the period 28 June
– 03 July. The exercise was due to take place in South West England onboard the JSASTC yacht ‘Osprey,’ a Comfortina 42, based out of Plymouth. However, a grounding in the days preceding the voyage resulted in the yacht no longer being available. Therefore, the expedition was conducted on board ‘Trochus,’ a Victoria 34 STC from Joint Services Adventure Sailing Training Centre (JSASTC) based out of Hornet Sailing Club, Gosport.
Useful sea time was gained to introduce those with no experience to
the world of offshore sailing, whilst giving further experience to the two experienced members of crew who plan to complete their RYA Cruising Instructor qualifications in due course.
Offshore sailing and the important role it plays in providing challenging AT for the Armed Forces cannot be overstated. Living in cramped conditions and working in a challenging environment on deck is important for encouraging individual resilience and team building. The four-novice crew onboard gained a considerable amount from this exercise. Taking their positive experience back
to others in 6 RIFLES it is hoped to encourage more Riflemen to take up future sail training opportunities when they are presented in future.
Useful sea time was gained to introduce those with no experience to the world of offshore sailing
40 RIFLES The Bugle
EXERCISE LOG
Tuesday 28 Jun 22
Friday 1 Jul 22
Forecast
Tides times
Sail Plan
Description: Having had to completely change our plans
in the previous 48hrs due to the grounding of Osprey the crew met at JSASTC for 1200. Concurrent activity saw the
CO (Skipper) take over the yacht and confirm the plan
with JSASTC, whilst the mate and two crew conducted the shopping for the week ahead. We reconvened to collect foul weather sailing gear from the store. We conducted safety briefs at 1600 and departed for Cowes at 1700. A good sail upwind saw a perfect introduction for the four-novice crew and we were alongside East Cowes Marina for 2000 with Chicken Fajitas ready to eat.
Wednesday 29 Jun 22
SW 10 – 15 knots Later SE 8 – 10 Knots. HW 1208 4.28M • LW 17:17 1.42m
No2 Genoa and Full main
Sail Plan
Description: Again, an early (0400) start to make the most of the east going tide. A beautiful departure under sail to minimise on others moored nearby, with an ambition to sail south around the Isle of Wight to Chichester harbour. It soon became apparent that the wind would be dead on the stern and would be difficult to sail efficiently unless we poled
out the jib and were thankfully rewarded with a fantastic downwind sail with preventer and poled out jib in place. Again, two sea-sick crew but time on the helm and a good lunch kept morale high. Made great speed over the ground with this configuration and entered Chichester just after HW local time. Made a quick stop off at Sparkes Marina to pick up fresh milk for the morning and then proceeded up the harbour before mooring off Itchenor for the night.
Saturday 2 Jul 22
Forecast
Tides times
Sail Plan
Description: The plan for today was to get the crew comfortable with all jobs and roles on the boat. This started with everyone helming coming onto and off a vacant pontoon in the Medina River, before heading out into the Solent to conduct sail manoeuvres including Man Over Board practice. We anchored at Osbourne Bay for lunch before sailing east down the Solent and entering Yarmouth Harbour around 1730.
Thursday 30 Jun 22
10 – 15 Knots SW
W 05:41 1.21m • HW 12:50 4.36m No2 Genoa and Full main
Forecast
Tides times
Sail Plan
Description: Wind would be on the nose and gusting 20+ knots today so the number one jib and one reef in the main were put in place whilst still in sheltered water leaving Chichester Harbour. Took some considerable time under engine to push out against the incoming tide but eventually made it to the Dolphin and was rewarded with a fantastic sail to windward West into the Solent. The target was to anchor in Osborne Bay. After a late lunch we hoisted full sail to return to Gosport, arriving alongside by 1730.
Sunday 3 Jul 22
Forecast
Tides times
Sail Plan
Description: To make the most of the west going tide through the needles channel we had an early start with alarms waking the crew at 0400 for a 0430 departure. Rewarded with a beautiful morning and a light but building breeze we had a cracking sail East past Hurst Castle with
SW 10 Knots building later W 15 – 20 Knots LW 06:19 1.18m • HW 13:30 4.40m
No1 Jib and Full main
Forecast
Tides times
Sail Plan
Description: At 0900 we departed under engine check out the two aircraft carriers currently alongside in Portsmouth before re-fuelling the boat and conducting more drills with all novice members of the crew taking it in turns to helm coming alongside a pontoon back at JSASTC.
a plan to anchor in Studland Bay for lunch, before entering Poole. We had two members sea-sick on the voyage but both handled it very well and kept well
fed and hydrated throughout. Having
picked up one of the new (free for 24hr stays) eel grass mooring bouys in Studland Bay and being very well protected from the south west winds we decided to stay on the mooring overnight.
Forecast Tides times
W/SW 15 – 20 Knots
LW 06:54 1.18m • HW 14:06 4.41m LW 19:12 1.39m
Poled out No1 Jib and Full main
SW 15 – 18 Knots
LW 07:27 1.2m • HW 14:41 4.39m No1 Jib and 1 reef in main.
W 12 – 15 Knots NW Later.
LW 08:00 1.23m • HW 15:16 4.35m Under engine only.
What Next
6 RIFLES’ next opportunity is already in motion with the planning of six participants taking part in Leg 13 of Ex Caribbean Express. Sailing the Joint Services Challenge 72ft sailing yacht from Grenada in the Caribbean, to Florida USA as she begins her journey back to the UK in April 2023.