Page 116 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Sports and Adventurous Training
Exercise CARIBBEAN WINGS
Exercise CARIBBEAN WINGS is an annual Joint Services sailing event. Starting from Gosport, multiple crews sail a Challenger 67 yacht in stages from Gosport down to the Azores, across to the Caribbean and then up the US Coast via the Bahamas
to Halifax. From Halifax the yacht is then sailed across the big pond back to the UK. 12 Riflemen from 6 RIFLES deployed on Leg 12 this April, sailing the 1200 nautical mile distance from St Thomas to Miami.
The crew had varied sailing experience,
with half having sailed last year in Iceland on Exercise ARCTIC EXPRESS, and half having never set foot in a boat before! The skipper and mate (IC and 2IC) from Joint Services and the Navy respectively, making the total crew up to 14.
After completing familiarisation and acclimatisation on the first day, we slipped from the dock, and headed to Nassau. The hot and humid temperatures were interspersed with sudden and heavy rainfall, so the crew often had to deal with alternating baking heat, or sodden shoes and clothes until the foul weather passed. It did not take long however to adapt to the unpredictable weather conditions and the 4-hour-on/4-hour-off “watch” cycle of long distance sailing.
Tacking, gybing, and
man-over-board drills
were also practised
until they were
perfected, resulting
in a safe passage
across to Nassau. A
24 hour stopover in
the Bahamas provided
the opportunity to restock food, and just enough time to visit the beach, HMSTC
The crew enjoying the Bahamas on Ex CARRIBEAN WINGS.
Ex CARIBEAN WINGS – A long reach
12 Riflemen from 6 RIFLES deployed on Leg 12 this April, sailing the 1200 nautical mile distance from St Thomas to Miami
Discoverer then set course for Miami! The initial nervousness of sailing now
fish on board, 10 dolphins in company,
a prematurely inflated lifejacket (Cpl Kavanagh!), and a 10 hour “detour” later, we arrived in Miami with three days to spare. We spent the first day scrubbing the boat, ensuring it was in immaculate condition for the handover. The other two days allowed plenty of time to enjoy the sights of Miami, visiting Ocean Drive and going to watch
the Miami Dolphins play baseball. I would highly recommend anyone, of any sailing experience, to have a go at one of the Joint Services sailing expeditions in the future!
gone, the final
stretch provided the opportunity to practice everything we had learned; we were
now to cross the Gulf Stream, an area known for large waves and busy shipping lanes. With one crew member
suffering serious continuous mal-de-mer (LCpl North), one freak wave, one flying
114 SIXTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES