Page 17 - Yachter Spring/Summer 2020

bill of ownership and proof of VAT. 15 minutes later a 6 metre RIB was launched with three black uniformed, lifejacketed
and armed men aboard.They ignored our fendering on the leeward aft quarter and instead asked us to luff up slightly then using their own fender pad manoeuvred their
bow hard onto our windward side abeam
of the shrouds.We helped two black booted and helmeted customs officials aboard, surprisingly wearing overalls but no oilies! We quickly confirmed that we could resume our course and speed as we had places to get to.They were very courteous and carefully inspected the passports, radioing details back and forth to the cutter, then the SSR, proof of ownership andVAT.They declined our generous offer of dodgy instant coffee but decided they would search the boat. It was
a cursory glance in all cabins and lockers, anything less than human size apparently wasn’t of interest. No red diesel or out
of date flares. After 40 minutes, our new French friends departed with handshakes
all round, leaving us with a yellow copy of their paperwork. Nigel, ever the professional mariner, enquired the length of validity for this paperwork; evidently a year if presented in the future to French customs.
We were by this time nearing Cap la Hague at 15 knots over the ground decision made, we would go through the race and after bashing across the Channel in 25 to 30 knots of easterly wind, we passed through Hurst a shade over 12 hours after leaving Carteret.An eventful day!
Steve Daniels
Lisa
I am delighted to have joined the RSYC last July as Sailing Secretary. Since then, I have very much enjoyed getting involved with the Race Management Team, who work hard to deliver a comprehensive and professional race programme for our members.
I have grown up on and around the water. My late father was Rear Commodore at the RMYC (Royal Motor Yacht Club) down at Sandbanks, so It has been a family tradition to be part of a club.
In 2008, I was involved with
Earthrace, a wave-piercing boat run
which set a new world record for a circumnavigation, covering the 38,624km (24,000 miles) in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes.The boat was powered using biofuel and by making good use of renewable
MEET THE TEAM
resources. I was on board for the first leg, transiting from Spain and down through the Suez Canal. Being on board was a truly amazing experience, and on the occasions that she went through the waves, for those brief seconds, the cockpit was in complete darkness.
A few years ago, I signed up for the Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. I completed the Level 1 training – RYA Competent Crew – but was forced to pull out of the trip owing to injury.
My personal interests range from paddle boarding to dinghy sailing, as well as cycling and swimming. I have been a qualified swimming coach for several years and teach at David Lloyd.Additionally, I enjoy travel and food and wine.
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