Page 14 - The Light Blue Volunteer 2019

CUOTC SAILING
Ex BLUE
CANARY
EXPRESS
After learning the basics and acclimatising to life on board the 40ft HMSTV Osprey, we were hoping to be greeted by a calm sea, but alas, it was not to be. Several faces started to turn pale as we were thrown around the yacht. However, calm seas never make good sailors, so we rose to the challenge and spent a few hours getting used to what we hoped would be the worst conditions of the week. Luckily, the next day was better and we got our first full day sailing under our belts.
New Years’ Eve was a great excuse for a night off. Feeling a little worse for wear, we headed out to sea after a much needed fry-up. Luckily, we were treated to beautiful weather, and even a visit from a pod of dolphins. A few more days of good conditions improved our skills, and we were soon
ready for the greatest adventure
of our trip; the 120 nautical mile overnight sail from Marina Rubicon to Las Palmas. Glorious sunshine turned to incredible star-filled
skies as the wind carried us on our voyage around the Canary Islands. Working in shifts for the 18-hour sail, our teamwork and sailing ability were tested, but we thoroughly enjoyed using our new skills and were proud of our achievements.
SUO Wheater
Ex BLUE SOLENT
We collected our yacht for the week; Skua, a Hallberg-Rassey 342, from Portsmouth. Once our safety brief (regarding how to use a menagerie of inflatables to avoid death at sea) had concluded, we made swift transit to our first stop at East Cowes Marina.
We awoke to Storm Ali raging along the coast. Constrained by the winds we instead covered theory work. As the squalls dissipated in the afternoon, sails were set for an upwind beat to Newtown Creek where we picked up a buoy to settle on. Upon the mornings tide we made for Southampton, however, with the wind building to Force 8 (Gale) we retreated to East Cowes.
After a difficult marina exit, we suffered the ‘moderate’ sea state of the central Solent as we broad reached northwards into Southampton water. Here the waves were replaced with a multitude of large vessels that we dodged towards glamorous Ocean Village marina, before heading to the Beaulieu River. From here we returned eastwards to anchor up and take a swim in Osbourne Bay. Upon the death of all wind we motored up the Swashway into Portsmouth Harbour. Through lashing rain we made way through the lock gates into Port Solent marina. On the final morning Skua was refuelled, cleaned, returned to Gosport and clasped shut for the last time.
JUO Alcock
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