Tag Archives: transatlantic
Goodbye, Farewell, Au Revoir
Posted on 16. Aug, 2009 by admin.
The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge fleet left Belfast today in a beautiful Parade of Sail that saw most of the ships under sail. Led by the Portuguese Class A ship Sagres, the fleet started to depart at 12.30. As she progressed down the lough, Sagres gradually put up her sails until she was in full [...]
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A Soaking for the Captain
Posted on 08. Aug, 2009 by admin.
Midshipman James Redbourn (RNR), on the French naval vessel Etoile continues to share his experience of life onboard:
“Hello once again from Etoile’s main mess! I can report that it has been a mixed week once again for all onboard. Despite the routine of rotating watches creating a simplistic eating, sleeping and sailing lifestyle, with our [...]
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Land Ahoy
Posted on 07. Aug, 2009 by admin.
One of the last vessels to finish the race to Belfast, Tecla, report on their final miles to the finish line:
“Land ahoy and 40 miles to go! Our Irish crew jumped up and down on the foredeck as we saw the first strip of land. The midday pancakes where flying through the air and all [...]
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Dry Land, Showers and Clean Clothes!
Posted on 07. Aug, 2009 by admin.
Steve Jackson of White Watch on board Rona II reports on their arrival in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland:
“We arrived in Ballycastle at around 2300 last night and swiftly moored up, and enjoyed a celebratory drink to toast our achievement.
“Rest and recuperation has today started in earnest, a lie in till 1000 was enjoyed and much needed by all. [...]
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Sunshine and Cleaning
Posted on 06. Aug, 2009 by admin.
Jet Sluik of the Dutch vessel Tecla reports on another day crossing the Atlantic:
“Today we saw sun! And it was a cleaning day! Due to the waves we had to skip a few cleaning days, but now with all the hatches open we could throw all the dirty, wet stuff out and clean the boat, [...]
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Soaking Wet!
Posted on 06. Aug, 2009 by admin.
Here is the latest report from the crew on Rona II:
“I think the first thing to say is… WE HAVE FINISHED THE RACE! We set sail roughly 16 days and 1 hour ago and we suspect that we will be first in class. But we have just reached Ballycastle in Northern Ireland and are looking [...]
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Surfing Towards Ireland
Posted on 06. Aug, 2009 by admin.
Matthew Maple, the ASTA intern sailing on board Europa, has sent in the following report:
“We are nearly there, less than 240 miles left to the finish line, and Ireland! Yesterday alone, in our twenty-four hour run, we saw 219 miles of ocean pass by our stern – 219 miles! A record for the Europa since she left Cape [...]
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Decreasing Winds
Posted on 05. Aug, 2009 by admin.
Jet Sluik of the Dutch vessel Tecla, has sent in the following update as they head towards Belfast:
“Winds have decreased and with them the waves. So we set the mainsail with two reefs in it this morning and took the reefs out this afternoon and changed the small jib, for the big jib.
“The weather is [...]
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Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge Update: Race 5 – Day 16
Posted on 05. Aug, 2009 by admin.
Rona II, from the UK, is the latest vessel to cross the finish line, which she did today at 13.07 GMT. She is now heading into Ballycastle for a few days to dry out and replenish their stores. The Portuguese Class A ship Sagres is now just 70 nautical miles from the finish line and [...]
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Looking Forward to Life Out of Oilskins
Posted on 05. Aug, 2009 by admin.
The crew of Rona II sent the following report in late last night:
“A very good evening to all our readers. We’ve been having another good day, but rather busy coping with the continually high winds and rough sea. We currently have our storm jib and trysail up sailing in the correct direction at 7 knots.
“We [...]
