Page 119 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

that it would be prudent to supplement Port Visits Atlantic crossing, the following leg used
this amazing sailing experience with the this system to blog that “the leg 13 crew
opportunity to visit some wonderful and Over the following three weeks we visited: would be more weathered and wise than
historic places along the way. Port Washington, Port Jefferson, Port Leg 12 who had enjoyed a pleasure cruise.”
Mystic, Martha’s Vineyard (where the We concede that they would certainly be
Preparation super-rich hang out), Nantucket, Cape more weathered crossing the Atlantic, but
Cod, Boston, Camden, Mount Desert we disagreed strongly with the comment
In early July, the crew assembled in Island, Lunenburg and Halifax. This about being wiser. Their ocean crossing
Gosport at the Joint Services Adventure totalled 890 sea miles and featured some was no doubt rough but there is a big
Sail Training Centre for kit issue, safety great sightseeing. The weather ranged difference between sitting on one or
briefs and to carry out much needed from baking hot breathless days when we two tacks for a few thousand miles and
administration before a coach journey to were forced to motor-sail, to some very handling a cumbersome Challenger 72
Heathrow and an uneventful flight via exhilarating 42 knot winds at night, in in and out of tight, unfamiliar harbours.
Canada to New York. Our return journey heavy rain, which demanded fast, arduous The AGC crew worked extremely hard
would take a little longer. A fleet of teamwork to successfully handle the sails, raising and stowing the huge mainsail and
navigationally challenged taxi drivers took reefs and winches to keep us safe. We foresails, mooring, anchoring and coming
us from New York airport to eventually were thrilled to see a good deal of wildlife alongside almost every day. There was
arrive at Liberty Landing Marina where we which included dolphins, a large pod of also some really challenging navigation,
met our skipper Paul Molyneaux and our whales which appeared just off the back of particularly through the hundreds of small
yacht Discoverer. These were to become Cape Cod and seals who generally came Islands and many thousands of hazardous
our Lord and Manor (respectively) for the to visit us at mooring in the evenings lobster pots which were an irritating
next three weeks. with cheeky grin and big puppy-dog eyes. feature of the coast of Maine. Our sister
The crew rotated through ‘mother watch’ yacht Adventure lost her propeller to one
We spent the first few days conducting maintaining a very high standard of food of these which required us to save the
victualing (buying food and supplies for in often challenging conditions under the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force by towing
the yacht), training and honing skills and watchful eye of the purser, Tom Clark. them to the safety of the next port. The
even managed to find a little time for The standout memory has got to be in novices on board thoroughly earned the
sightseeing before we set off. This included Lunenburg where the crew took part in a Competent Crew qualifications that they
attending the fourth of July celebrations small yacht race with the locals followed were awarded at the end of the Expedition.
in New Jersey Park with fireworks and a by a party afterwards on a floating hut
live concert featuring The Village People balanced on barrels in the middle of the
with whom some of us enjoyed drinks harbour.
in the VIP tent afterwards. We set off in
baking New York summer heat heading Roundup and The Future
between Manhattan and Long Island
under ten bridges which included the Every day we sent blogs via the on-board
famous Brooklyn Bridge. Our adventure satellite system which was a great way of
had begun. keeping the rest of the world informed as
to our progress. In anticipation of their

119

*2016 J Layout.indd 119 10/01/2017 15:42