Article on the ARC

[capnsensible]

A testing time for 140 yachts taking on an Atlantic Crossing

I found it a good read. Also explains what actually happened to the catamaran that had difficulties

 

[dgadee]

"Most are choosing a catamaran as their first boat purely for the space and because the prospect of sailing on the level is more agreeable. They join the ARC because it has a strong safety framework and network. They may employ a consultant while building or commissioning a new boat, and often set off with an initial period of onboard coaching from a professional skipper."

Not how many of us started.

 

[capnsensible]

Very true, but time moves on I suppose. Seen plenty of shiny catamara s on various bits of the cruising circuits. Quite why so many of them are nearly new and where the money comes from surprises me.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Interesting article. Not sure I want 24/7 internet at sea but I can see the attraction of it and likely would be enticed. Amazed at the size of boats and demographics of participants but the university friends showed it can still be done on a budget. I wonder if this is a general trend or just an ARC trend.

 

[capnsensible]

What we see here in the Canaries are the big boats in the marinas, small boats anchored outside. Every September and October there are lots getting ready.

 

[RupertW]

Good article. We find that we meet a bunch of ARC sailors each year we are in the Caribbean, which is an interesting contrast to those we met in our 3 years in the Canaries. What they both have in common is being in a hurry. In the Canaries it’s focused on being ready, in the Caribbean it’s being in a hurry to see their own particular bucket list of islands before starting back. Very few ever wanted to stay in the Canaries or in the Caribbean which I find weird and different to a lot of non-ARC crossers.

We were parked for a few days in Nelson’s Dockyard next to one of the boats mentioned, catamaran Jack, and they were a lovely crew, helpful and friendly even with a much older couple like us in a scruffy and tiny (to them) monohull. They were one of the fully crewed bigger boats we got on well enough for them to say, “If you come across us again then if we don’t have anyone your age on board, give us a shout”.

 

[PhillM]

I did it this year on Escapardo. Interesting event. Only a handful racing and some of those that are are doing so to avoid coding, because there is a 'get out' clause. I know there is a review ongoing so wont comment more on that.

Catamarans, yes loads of them. Also, larger cruising boats, with typically older owners, some of which needed younger, fitter helpers. It was a really interesting mix of people. A lot of the 'pay to play' (I was one too) people were in some form of relationship or work transition (although I am not). Also, many (including on my boat) had a shockingly low level of experience. One lady (not my boat) had literally never sailed before. Several (on my boat) had a week or two or the occasional flotilla. They signed up for a racing boat but expected a larger, more comfortable cruising boat. Some very frightened people for the first week or two. Eventually they got into the swing, but at the end there were more who don't want to do another long passage than those (like me) who do.

 

[OCuea]

It says lj with AIS and tethers are mandatory but does not say man swept overboard at 02:00 had tether attached or not, my rule was always tether at night no matter what. Wonder why AIS did not find him after such a large search and all boats slowing down to search daylight.

 

[Sea Change]

It says lj with AIS and tethers are mandatory but does not say man swept overboard at 02:00 had tether attached or not, my rule was always tether at night no matter what. Wonder why AIS did not find him after such a large search and all boats slowing down to search daylight.

I think the range of these devices must be very limited, especially in big waves. It was a fast boat so by the time they'd turned round they would have been a fair distance away from him already. Very very sad.

 

[dunedin]

It says lj with AIS and tethers are mandatory but does not say man swept overboard at 02:00 had tether attached or not, my rule was always tether at night no matter what. Wonder why AIS did not find him after such a large search and all boats slowing down to search daylight.

Mandatory to have lifejackets and tethers, not mandatory to wear. Much / most of the crossing people will not be wearing lifejackets during the day.
And accidents are always a failure chain of events. On our crossing we did an accidental gybe in the pitch dark - no huge issue with preventer. But crew below rushed into cockpit - one immediately went on deck in the dark with no lifejacket or harness, trying to be a fix it hero. Firmly instructed back and told to go below and get kitted up before coming back on deck.
So I suspect may have been a mini issue which caused crew to be in cockpit without Lifejacket and AIS

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... On our crossing we did an accidental gybe in the pitch dark - no huge issue with preventer. But crew below rushed into cockpit - one immediately went on deck in the dark with no lifejacket or harness, trying to be a fix it hero. Firmly instructed back and told to go below and get kitted up before coming back on deck. ...

Great example of dysfunctional behaviour in a crisis moment, thanks for sharing.

On Offshore Installation Managers (OIM) courses, this is big deal e.g. in a multi national crew, in a rapidly developing crisis, people default to their native language which delays effective communication, to say the least. The call to come back and get kitted up was of course the right thing to do to manage the situation from escalating, in that instance.

 

[dunedin]

Another article on ARC in Sailing Today in December. How Risky is Crossing the Atlantic? Transatlantic Safety & the ARC.

In terms of the sad case of the MOB, there will always be risks. But of the 7 deaths in total over nearly 40 years, apparently the most common cause was heart attack, with 3 deaths. Two were attributed to injuries - which if I recall correctly were being hit by mainsheet and/or boom in gybes.
So MOB is not the highest risk factor.

 

[noelex]

Another article on ARC in Sailing Today in December. How Risky is Crossing the Atlantic? Transatlantic Safety & the ARC.

A reasonable length passage in the North Sea, west coast of Scotland, or Ireland is more challenging from a sailing perspective than an Atlantic passage in my view. The UK has some tough sailing conditions.The challenging factor in an Atlantic crossing is the isolation, especially if you or your crew suffer a medical event.

If you break a bone, take two aspirin and remember you are British .

 

[capnsensible]

A reasonable length passage in the North Sea, west coast of Scotland, or Ireland is more challenging from a sailing perspective than an Atlantic passage in my view. The UK has some tough sailing conditions.The challenging factor in an Atlantic crossing is the isolation, especially if you or your crew suffer a medical event.

If you break a bone, take two aspirin and remember you are British .

I promise you that a mid atlantic gale makes you dream of nice easy coastal sailing. Every time.

 

[noelex]

I promise you that a mid atlantic gale makes you dream of nice easy coastal sailing. Every time.

I have only crossed the Atlantic during the recommended season. Perhaps my views would change with more crossings.

I have sailed the North Sea and the west and south coast of Ireland many times during the unfavourable winter period, which may have coloured my views, but in my experience, the long swell of the Atlantic is more forgiving than the short period encountered in the shallower waters of the North Sea, the west and south coast of Ireland, or the Bay of Biscay. The stronger currents in these areas also increase the possible sea states.

The testing conditions historically encountered during races such as the Fastnet reinforces this view.

The added sea room when crossing the Atlantic provides more options to minimise issues compared to the above passages that are closer to land.

Problems such as medical issues, or significant boat emergencies, such as dismasting, are far more serious when a long way from land, such as the middle of the Atlantic, but in terms of sailing, if you have experienced a storm or even a gale in the North Sea, west coast of the UK, or the Bay of Biscay, you are unlikely to be more intimidated by the sailing conditions in the middle of the Atlantic IMHO.

UK sailors are tough .

 

[Sea Change]

I've got a few miles under the keel now, including one Atlantic crossing, and so far the only time I've ever felt the need to get off the boat was after a bad day in the Sound of Sleat. And the only time I've ever been seasick was in the Minch, on a day that the ferry didn't go out.
So yes I'd agree that sailing in the UK can be pretty tough work...

 

[capnsensible]

I have only crossed the Atlantic during the recommended season. Perhaps my views would change with more crossings.

I have sailed the North Sea and the west and south coast of Ireland many times during the unfavourable winter period, which may have coloured my views, but in my experience, the long swell of the Atlantic is more forgiving than the short period encountered in the shallower waters of the North Sea, the west and south coast of Ireland, or the Bay of Biscay. The stronger currents in these areas also increase the possible sea states.

The testing conditions historically encountered during races such as the Fastnet reinforces this view.

The added sea room when crossing the Atlantic provides more options to minimise issues compared to the above passages that are closer to land.

Problems such as medical issues, or significant boat emergencies, such as dismasting, are far more serious when a long way from land, such as the middle of the Atlantic, but in terms of sailing, if you have experienced a storm or even a gale in the North Sea, west coast of the UK, or the Bay of Biscay, you are unlikely to be more intimidated by the sailing conditions in the middle of the Atlantic IMHO.

UK sailors are tough .

Well I don't want to gob off, but I've encountered bad weather sailing in all those areas. And parts of the Med.,but in 12 Atlantic crossings, I've had severe weather in one east west and every west east. The last very often bringing at least two weather events. I can assure you again that mid Atlantic gales are much more challenging with no safety net and high seas.
Also, if you want another challenge, try Windies to Panama.

 

[Roberto]

Also, if you want another challenge, try Windies to Panama.

Even better, the opposite way

 

[capnsensible]

Crunchity bang....