Page 15 - Yachter Spring/Summer 2021

16.This was moved to 15 August when we found that the Solent would be something of a traffic nightmare with Cowes Week Racing and a Fastnet Start.
Graham had discussions/emails/meetings covering all aspects of the event:ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations) with 20 racing yachts going to Dartmouth; ABP who agreed to help marshal the fleet; MDL who might help with moorings and pennants; ribs and crews for marshals; use
of the Boat Show Pontoons; access to the pontoons; picnics in the park; a food market, portable toilets, loudspeakers; Royalty and Celebrities;Tall Ships;GrantApplications for the above; Southampton Council, RSYC, RNVRYC. The Royal Navy asked if a P2000 could be brought into the Parade of Sail. These are just a few of the ones I know about and remember.
On a winter break, we visited Dartmouth and Plymouth, booked marinas, dinners, visits, yacht clubs and spoke with M400 officials to set up arrangements for the summer Rally. The plan to link the ports
was an essential part of the programme and we hoped that Council Officials would provide that connection. Once all the bookings were made, we designed our promotion material and began to contact clubs, media, associations, whoever might be interested to spread the word.
Bookings started to come in.The Parade of Sail attracted a wide range of craft including Dunkirk Little Ships, well varnished classics, a rowing club, super-yachts, motor and sail boats, commercial vessels ready to share
and pay tribute to 400 years of Maritime Experience.
Even after COVID-19 struck, we pressed on. It could not last all summer, as it is just like a football match with no one in the stadium we reasoned. Finally, SCC could not brave the concept of an Event and pulled the plug on the Parade of Sail. With so many events lost over the summer: Cowes Week, the RSYC Cruising Programme,The Boat Show; no one was surprised that this had sunk as well. It could have and would have been such a wonderful celebration and tribute to the Maritime Community that we all love and share.
However, the Joint RSYC and RNVRYC Rally survived. Just. The week before departure a box of 100 hundred year old badges from the 1920’s M300 was discovered and presented to the Council. This provided a token for the link between the ports for M400 which the Rally would deliver from our Mayor to theirs.A quick dash to the Council, photos of the Mayor with RSYC and RNVRYC and we let go our lines. Not all boats were able to set off fromYarmouth as one broken wrist and a few dodgy engines compromised our numbers. A joint Dinner for both clubs had been arranged
in Portland under carefully arranged COVID-19 regulations so off we set.
In 1620 the Mayflower and Speedwell faced strong westerly winds. And so, did
CRUISING REPORTS 15