Day 1
01/03/2019 22:53
Drove down to Gossport marina this afternoon for 16:30 to start my level 1 training. After meeting everyone on training this week we stepped on our 68ft clipper racing yacht and met our skipper Chris K first mate Niel and 2nd mate Chris. In the saloon we did the biggest safety briefing I have ever been a part of but it was all highly relevant. As you can imagine if something goes wrong on one of these yachts it can go horribly wrong. We have also learnt how to inflate a life jacket manually which was great fun. I have managed to get a top bunk on the boat and got in it which is a bonus not entirely sure on the pully system holding it up mind but I’m sure I’ll figure it out later.
Day 2
02/03/2019 20:20
This morning we did our first man over board on the pontoon which I feel is a procedure we will be doing a lot of. We also did some winch and clutch practice on land to explain how to load and release ropes correctly. This afternoon we attempted to go for our first sail as a team unfortunately we didn’t get very far. As we came out of Portsmouth swash-way we heard the radio say force 9 immanent (47 to 54mph very windy for those who are not familiar with the Beaufort scale). About 50secs later the engine cut out. No engine. We put the stay sail up as fast as possible. All we could do was sail up and down trying to keep out the way of any commercial traffic. Luckily one of our team knew an awful lot about diesel engines combined with skipper Chris they managed to get the engine going again to get back into the marina safely. The Boat now stinks of diesel but we are safely in port and fed now to the pub!
Day 3
03/03/2019 21:00
Force 9 to 10 (worse weather than yesterday) today off the back of storm Freya so we stayed in Gosport marina today doing evolutions (commonly known as manoeuvres) and learning about the boat. Coming from a dinghy sailing background doing an evolution like putting a reef in a sail (reducing the size of a sail for high wind conditions) is pretty simple but on a 68ft racing yacht it is quite a task. The shear size of the boat and sails mean that you have to do everything as a team, you need a whole crew working seamlessly together to complete any task on this boat communication is key. So, when I’m using a dinghy term like “kicker” and they call it a “vang” it can confuse the whole process. Luckily, I am learning their evolution steps and terminology on the pontoon instead of confusing the process sailing in a force 10. Today we have also been introduced to the running backstays these are used to support the mast on the opposite side of the tack we are sailing on which is an added extra thing to remember when tacking (turning into the wind) or gybing (turning away from the wind). Fore Guys (also known as preventers) are used going down wind to hold the boom out to prevent any unexpected gybes. On a dinghy you hold the boom out with your hand but I’m not sure I’d fancy my chances holding this boom out like that defiantly in favour of the Fore Guys.
Day 4
04/03/2019 22:14
Early start this morning (8am!) trying to get a full day of sailing in to make up for lost time yesterday. We were doing lots of tacking today with the mainsail and staysail up. Our first proper MOB (Man Over Board) procedure was interesting to say the least. To make it harder for our new inexperienced crew the wind decided to pick up again as Bob (the MOB weighted dummy) went into the water. We did get Bob back after the 3rd attempt but the Dan Buoy (floating device to aid location of MOB) wasn’t playing. Eventually we collected the Dan Buoy! In too halves whoops… Got back to the marina for 7ish but no time for relaxing of to Musto to be fitted out with our race kit. The staff at the Musto Lighthouse store were extremely helpful and patient we didn’t get back to the boat until 11:30pm!
Day 5
05/03/2019 22:26
8:30am start today positively a lye in. Unfortunately, me and my galley buddy didn’t realise we were on breakfast duty so it was all a bit of a blur. Another part of being on galley duty is to make the crew their individual hot drink, this was the most complicated part of the whole training course it was worse than the tea list at work! Sailing with 3 sails today mainsail, staysail and yankee 3. We covered tacking, gybing, reefing, fore guys, yankee sail flaking on deck at sea and a perfect MOB! I had the chance to do the bowman’s job today doing a racing sail change which was fantastic. We are really gelling as a team now working well together on the last day of sailing.
Day 6
06/03/2019 22:08
Deep Clean. I’m not one for cleaning at the best of times so hours cleaning a 68ft yacht from bow to stern (pointy end to blunt end) was a tall order. I have to say I am now very well acquainted with the anchor locker and the antibacterial spray! Overall, I have had the most amazing week with the best bunch of people sailing a racing yacht. All I can say is bring on level 2!
Ami's Atlantic Adventure 