RTW, Leg 6a: Atlantic Crossing, Part 1

The first half

Well, after the most splendid of send offs with firework displays, we got up sharply to finish getting Broadsword ship shape and Bristol fashion for our departure team photos taken and ‘see you at the other side’ goodbyes to all our lovely neighbours. The skipper felt it was a good idea to get out of the marina a bit earlier so we could practice our MOB drills (Man Over Board). It was all a bit nerve wracking as a lot of boats were doing the same thing. But everyone seemed to be happy to queue up in an orderly fashion and gently leave the marina. That is until a boat appeared from our port side nearly ramming us in order to break into the queue. They then proceeded to barge past everyone else who was leaving. By which time, the skipper, who was already being tested by the amount of traffic around us told the offending boat skipper exactly what he thought of his behaviour. Sadly, the behaviour, could not be blamed on any retaliation of Brexit! It turned out they were just a very rude British boat! It will be very interesting to see what happens if we meet them in St Lucia!!

Team Broadsword and the anti scurvy supplies

So, as our livers sighed a huge sigh of relief (we will be running a dry boat) we set off for the start line. A large orange buoy and a Spanish Naval Patrol Boat, all very dramatic. Horns were blowing, the atmosphere was of camaraderie and excitement as we lined ourselves up ready for the oft. The sirens went and we were away….. but actually crossed the start line about an hour later…..it really was very busy, not helped by the north wind as we had to cross the line south into it! It was so packed we could literally could have conversations with other boats near us. Sadly, over the radio, we heard there had been a terrible accident already. Someone had got their hand caught in a winch and had lost a finger. It must have been a horrible and traumatic experience for them and the crew. But the race organisers were on it immediately and evacuated the casualty back to the marina where an ambulance was waiting. We really hope they are ok.

So, eventually, we are off. The boats get fewer and fewer. Land disappears and then we are on our own. We have settled into roles and routines.

Regular and most welcome visitors

Skipper John is obviously in charge and takes a lot of the burden and responsibilities. He’s the one who has to get up in the middle of the night when the 3rd Mate (his wife) is worried about a wee squeaky noise, which is surely a sign of mast coming off or other such travesty.

1st Mate Dougie is also our chief engineer, who cleverly fashions artful fruit hammocks which were the envy of the pontoons. A doer of great deeds and notorious seeker of wildlife and photo opportunities.

2nd Mate Mark (Sparky Marky) is games master and general moral booster. He has all the weeks activities on a spread sheet!! Seriously, he really does have a spreadsheet.

……And then there is me! 3rd Mate, general whinger of ‘are we nearly there yet!’ and ‘For f**k sake’ just because it takes three times as much effort to do anything on a yacht bouncy around in the middle of the Atlantic in a floating caravan…. and …..she has to spend four weeks on a boat with three boys!

The Flying Squad

The adventure started well but there was no wind. We had about 4 days of being on and off the engine. It was so calm that we even stopped to have a swim. The dolphins come and visit every so often and the further south we get the more prevalent, flying fish. Sadly, these fish have a kamikaze spirit, as we wake most mornings to find dead ones on the deck. In fact, only this morning we found the source of a foul smell coming from the helm of the boat. One of the wee buggers had flown on board and wedged itself under a locker and was slowly rotting away. So, the 3rd Mates rational fear of being attacked by Orcas has changed to getting slapped in the face by a flying fish during night watch!

Marine Boy

Mid Atlantic Swim, 4000m down!

We have Book club, Film night, Presentation of a topic of their own choice, Dragon’s Den, Games, Cooking and cleaning duties. All keeping us entertained and occupied.

Today, after skilfully cleaning the cooker, the skipper announced that the gas had run out. This is really quite serious. We got a new bottle in Cherbourg, surely, we can’t have gone through it already and we are not even half way across the Atlantic. We do have spares but it was still worrying and all the gas tanks are kept at the back of the boat which is quite precarious to access, especially in the current weather. The seas are extremely rough at the moment, the weather has been building and building the peaks and troughs of the waves. Some as high as 4 meters and we just hit 13 knots on the speedometer!

You could sense the testosterone building. It was a situation… a serious situation…one which involves manly daring do! Lifejackets were adorned and harnesses attached. Knowing looks were exchanged between men acknowledging the dangers that lay ahead. Extremely important man tools were sought, men held on to each other as if their lives depended on it. Tanks were changed….still, no change. All is lost….cold baked beans and Fray Bentos for the next two weeks. 3rd mate, who had been quietly watching the true heroes of Broadsword, went down below to check and discovered that the cooker burner had not been put back together properly….. Suffice to say, we have plenty of gas!

Dummer

So, it is ‘so far so good.’ The sea is bad but not terrible. Tomorrow we will be reaching the halfway point. We might be offered a small Rum ration from the Skipper to celebrate. The banter is good, the sun is shining and, more importantly, the skipper and 3rd mate are still married!

Ed Note: Atlantic Crossing Part 2. Next instalment coming soon.