atalntic crossing 2012 -2013

I'm well & truly in the TCM camp of being self sufficient but it is certainly possible for one yacht to render assistance to another even mid atlantic though (as TCM says) the circumstances would be very unusual.

In 1981 we did a crossing from Gran Canaria to Antigua in two Nic 55's (service boats) one Navy & one Army. Approximately half way across (cannot remember exactly) one of the Army guys took a tumble and had suspected spinal and head injuries. The only 'medic' between the two boats was in the Navy boat - he was a dentist but at least he was pretty good on dental anaesthesia!

Very big swells (losing sight of each others masts between them) but not very strong winds. Transfer was effected by putting him out in the dinghy and the other boat crossing our stern to pick up the line and reel him in. No SSB only VHF but we stayed close to each other for the crossing and, this time at least, it had benefits. (The guy made a full recovery).

It worked - but a very brave dentist that Richard!
 
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>So you would have been no use to anyone in disress then......

I don't think you think things through. If you had stopped to think about it there could easily have been yachts within 10 NM of us but you wouldn't see them below the horizon.
 
>So you would have been no use to anyone in disress then......

I don't think you think things through. If you had stopped to think about it there could easily have been yachts within 10 NM of us but you wouldn't see them below the horizon.

I dont think you think things through. Even if there is a yacht nearby, there is not a lot of help they can offer until the pro's turn up. Which the ARC brain centre has to call. Which you could have done directly by Iridium phone without panicking the rest of the Arc fleet and the press :rolleyes:

However, on my 11th Transat next year I will bear your comments in mind, thank you.
 
>Even if there is a yacht nearby, there is not a lot of help they can offer until the pro's turn up.

Lots of boats have helped others with things like spares, fuel and food. Who are these pros?

>Which the ARC brain centre has to call.

I don't understand what you are saying.

>Which you could have done directly by Iridium phone without panicking the rest of the Arc fleet and the press

Again I don't understand what you are saying. The only incident that happened was Ocean Wanderer was being followed by a small ship for couple of days, it closed in by day and moved back at night. Clearly they were worried and called me on the Net to say what was happening. Since they were intending to escape during the night, which they did, they never gave a position. They were in regular contact with Falmouth Coastguard I think by Iridium in cae the ship had SSB.

The ARC folks were aware what was happening but weren't involved and the press knew nothing about it until the ARC told them after the event. Then one of the sailing mags published the details which metioned our boat name and that we had been in contact with Ocean Wanderer on the Net. Can you explain what the panic was? Or are you just making things up?
 
>Even if there is a yacht nearby, there is not a lot of help they can offer until the pro's turn up.

Lots of boats have helped others with things like spares, fuel and food. Who are these pros?

>Which the ARC brain centre has to call.

I don't understand what you are saying.

>Which you could have done directly by Iridium phone without panicking the rest of the Arc fleet and the press

Again I don't understand what you are saying. The only incident that happened was Ocean Wanderer was being followed by a small ship for couple of days, it closed in by day and moved back at night. Clearly they were worried and called me on the Net to say what was happening. Since they were intending to escape during the night, which they did, they never gave a position. They were in regular contact with Falmouth Coastguard I think by Iridium in cae the ship had SSB.

The ARC folks were aware what was happening but weren't involved and the press knew nothing about it until the ARC told them after the event. Then one of the sailing mags published the details which metioned our boat name and that we had been in contact with Ocean Wanderer on the Net. Can you explain what the panic was? Or are you just making things up?

I have no idea at all about your one incident in your one crossing. I talk in general terms for an event thats been going for 20 odd years and giving a view based on my tiny experience.

So you are totally right, talking on the radio, for you, is great. Woo woo.

Have no clue as to what I am making up, hope you enjoy your next trip.

CS
 
>Have no clue as to what I am making up

What you made up was 'without panicking the rest of the Arc fleet and the press'

I asked 'Can you explain what the panic was?

You chose not to answer the question, perhaps you would like to now.
 
children, children, I think it´s fair to say that everyone has their own experiences and viewpoints on whether it´s better to cross with ARC or without, and neither side is totally right.

Just as each boat and crew and captain are different, so the decisions everyone makes will be based on their own experience, knowledge and approach to sailing.

Just my humble opinon, I´ve never been across the Atlantic either way, and respect people who have, whichever way shape or form.....
 
>Have no clue as to what I am making up

What you made up was 'without panicking the rest of the Arc fleet and the press'

I asked 'Can you explain what the panic was?

You chose not to answer the question, perhaps you would like to now.

I think you have chosen not to understand the answer :rolleyes:

I have pointed out that I refer to the ARC event as a whole, not your one experience. I have no idea about the incident you mentioned, why would I?

Please read my posts again, do try to understand, but do ask if this is not simple enough.....:eek:
 
OK, one last time.

IF an incident SHOULD happen, direct contact with a Coastguard Authority will save time and enable an earlier response of those ABLE TO ASSIST.

Press speculation will be less intrusive.

Happy?
 
You still haven't answered the question so I give up.

Absolutely final and complete last time. I am sure you are not doing this deliberately, nor are you bonkers, so, pin them back.

I am not now or ever in the past in the entire history of the planet earth ever, ever reffering to a real incident that you, the ARC or any of the human race have ever had happen to them, or suggesting in any way that it did.

If, after the many times I have pointed this out, you still dont geddit, then I can no longer help you and specialist help is needed.

Sheesh......
 
Sadly, almost every Atlantic Crossing thread is spoiled by Kelly’s Eye, who can’t resist the thread cos HE CROSSED THE ATLANTIC.

He crossed with the ARC and his blog gave graphicds details of how very very flightened he was about the whole thing. “They call it the milk run - it isn’t”. He took the previous owner of the boat. The following year he volunteered to be finish line boat for the arc, sort of unpaid muggins. And now he’s given p the sailing or at least sold up the long distance poart BUT every thread about ocean trips he bangs in, and usually starts a pointless argument if anyone disagrees (or even if EVERYONRE disagrees) not actually contributing anything much, just getting stuck in.

This time the argument is about whether you need loads of help en route, and if an SSB or email “net” is useful. And the answer is of course that there is a very remote chance that almost anything and everything could potentially be useful, if you can take it, but practically speaking, boats are distant from each other even if they set off on the same day. KE sez SSB nets are fab, cos he was net controller on the arc. But Capnsensible has crossed 10 times in sevrel diffrent boats, I’ve crossed the same number of times in the same boat, and we say well, meh, don’t go counting on help from anybody much - for the most part you are on your own and any other planning policy is a bit daft.

Forum - which means you’re allowed to sling up your POV. You’re allowed to counter another POV, too. But it’s only a forum, so no big deal?

I imagine that Capnsensible who lives in and around a marina in Gibm, a sailing crossroads, is off on a sailing trip or giving a course. I am off from here in Fiji, sailing to Bali, about 3500nm away, so hope the thread is gonna remain useful, and not end upwith KE just Oh yes it is! and someone ele well, er no it isn’t...
 
thanks

if it helps after comments I think I would pass on the arc even
if I could which I can't! especially as my crew have just confirmed ( ones a fireman the other a RN medic) Imin gib fitting out boat .cap'n sensible ..where are you based??
I have 2 crew joining in las palmas but myself and missus are taking the boat down to canaries alone would love to hear any advice on morrocco as we intend to cruise this in October on way down and also where to find bits in gib


lee
 
if it helps after comments I think I would pass on the arc even
if I could which I can't! especially as my crew have just confirmed ( ones a fireman the other a RN medic) Imin gib fitting out boat .cap'n sensible ..where are you based??
I have 2 crew joining in las palmas but myself and missus are taking the boat down to canaries alone would love to hear any advice on morrocco as we intend to cruise this in October on way down and also where to find bits in gib


lee

Hiya, in Marina Bay. In and out this week, around at weekends mostly. Do ask in the dive shop next to the newsagents, my wife is in there most mornings.

Happy to help with any Gib advice, plus lived aboard in Canaries plus been up and down to there about 10 or more times! Know a few of the Maroc ports too!

PM if you prefer

Regards

CS
 
Hiya, in Marina Bay. In and out this week, around at weekends mostly. Do ask in the dive shop next to the newsagents, my wife is in there most mornings.

Happy to help with any Gib advice, plus lived aboard in Canaries plus been up and down to there about 10 or more times! Know a few of the Maroc ports too!

PM if you prefer

Regards

CS
You're not the one who eats all the mulligatawny soup are you? :)
 
I would like to use this discussion to recommend Agadir marina, where Breezer now sits preparing for an unaccompanied crossing in January. So far, we have been very favourably impressed by the marina, its management and the surrounding town. Prices very favourable including diesel at circa 70 euro cents a litre. 2 days north of Canaries means that you have a useful bailout option if something breaks or you find you have forgotten the marmalade. Not a lot to do 2 days out from the Canaries except turn around or hold out for the CV's.
So far, so good on Morocco but I think it should definitely be an option on a transat itinerary...
 
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