Page 128 - The Bugle 2018

Exercise Scilly Express
Ex Scilly Express (this year 20th-29th July 2017) is a flotilla based sail training out of Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre Gosport. Its aims are twofold: to sail to the Scillies (or as far west as possible) and return to Gosport in the allocated time and to extend the cruising grounds of Yachtmaster Coastal skippers.
With the above in mind five Riflemen from 5 and 7 RIFLES assembled at Gosport on day one to proceed with the safety briefs and takeover of the yacht. The Rifles struck lucky for once and were detailed to crew “Osprey”, a Comfortina 42 foot yacht with
PORTLAND HARBOUR MARINA WAS THE FIRST PORT OF CALL ON DAY TWO WHEN RFN PARIS AMAZED US ALL BY BECOMING SEASICK THE MOMENT HE STEPPED ASHORE
more than adequate room for five Riflemen! Being lead boat also had some additional responsibilities, such as being the last out of harbour and the first in to assist the other vessels if necessary.
Portland Harbour marina was the first port of call on day two when Rfn Paris amazed us all by becoming seasick the moment he stepped ashore and entertained all by unloading over the side of the pontoon. This was the crew’s only incidence of seasickness. Unfortunately, with a tight timeline, there was not much time to explore once ashore as the crew wanted any spare time to be available once we reached the Scillies, which at this point was looking doubtful due to a lack of wind. Day 3 saw Osprey sail to Plymouth mainly under engine power but at least the crew were entertained by the dolphins and trying to get their heads around a bowline and other nautical knots. Day 4 saw a long slog (mainly under engine again) to the Scilly Isles, which saw the crew adopt the watch system overnight. The approach to St Marys was in very poor visibility which was worrying as there are many unmarked hazards off the islands and it was the first time in these waters for all of the crew.
On tying up in St Marys Harbour and ensuring the other vessels were in safe, the crew had time to explore the island. The Scillies are very picturesque and at the time of visiting surprisingly busy due to a cruise ship anchored nearby. The cruise ship left early evening and St Marys returned to tranquillity. One of the other crews was crewed by the RAF and word got round that they were having a BBQ on the beach: this was interpreted as an invitation and all crews assembled for good food and banter. Departure was scheduled for mid-afternoon the next day so there was an additional few hours to explore the next morning.
Unfortunately, on leaving the harbour, an engine fault was detected on one of the vessels which meant that the lead boat had to stay close to them for the first part of the voyage back to the mainland. After a few hours of circling the stricken vessel it was decided to take them in tow. This was done surpris- ingly easily and the long tow back to Falmouth began. Imagine being towed 130 miles in your car – at 5 miles per hour! Such was the case for the next 30 hours and it was with great relief that we all pulled into Falmouth. Towing the stricken vessel was the only option as leaving it in the Scillies would have led to a very expensive recovery operation.
There was just enough time in Falmouth to refuel and shower before setting sail again for the Solent. Anyone familiar with the Solent will know that there is a tidal gate at The Needles that would not show any sympathy to a yacht towing another vessel so it had to be negotiated at a set time. On arrival in Swanage we were several hours early so we picked up a buoy and waited for the tide to turn. On arrival back in Gosport it was agreed that although the lack of winds and the distances involved meant that sailing under wind power alone was limited on this exercise, it was nonetheless a great success to have achieved the original goal of reaching the Scilly Islands.
Capt P Woolman
ROSO 7 RIFLES
7 RIFLES demonstrates
its amphibious capability. Members of the crew on Ex Scilly Express (left-right): Rfn Young; Rfn Paris; Capt Woolman; CSjt Gajjar, with Rfn Maggs at rear
134 SEVENTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES