Level 4 Training

Well, I have now completed the last part of my pre-race training and have a better idea of what it is going to be like on the race.  The English Channel is still tiny when compared to the Southern Ocean and North Pacific but I did get a taste of what it is like living at 45 degrees and being part of a watch system.

My UNICEF boat was out of the water when we set of so our team shared the boat skippered by Wendo, a very bouncy Australian; eight of them, eight of us plus the two skippers. 

The first day out was spent refreshing our sailing skills and the skippers practicing the 'V' formation that would be filmed by very expensive helicopter flights the following week.  It was interesting seeing how everyone tried to get into place and then hold it there for five to ten minutes as the Clipper training boat with all the big names on board skirted around shouting instructions.  We eventually achieved the desired effect before we ran out of water as we headed down the east side of the Isle of Wight.  Good luck to them all when it is done 'for real' on the next L4 training.

'V' formation with our boat at the head of the V and three on either side.

 

After spending a night at anchor we set of on the first of two races across The Channel.  A committee boat start where all seven boats jostled for position before crossing the line on the gun.  Not a bad start for us but the fleet was soon divided into those who sailed out into the Solent and those who hugged the shores of the Isle of Wight where the tide was weaker.  We were in the latter group but soon fell behind the other boats who took a calculated risk and sailed close inshore - obviously local knowledge!

Off across the Channel and over to France as the wind picked up and the sea became more confused.  Most of us were seasick to some extent though managed to take part in the four hour watch system that was instigated at race start.  I hadn't taken any tablets and it was only after 36 hours that I managed to remember to take a seasickness pill before lying down and going to sleep.  Staying in bed then became a bit of a challenge as I  hadn't got the angle on my bunk right so had to hang on or fall out.  When we did tack I was rolled tight into the corner and then it was a struggle to get out of bed to start the next watch.  What did make it all worthwhile were the stunning sun sets and sun rises.  There was also a point when I was helming that the boat was joined by a pod of porpoises who stayed with us for about ten minutes, diving in and out of the water, around and under the boat - magical!

Sun rise with 'Telemed' in the distance as we head back towards the Isle of Wight under spinnaker

 

There were also times when I sincerely wondered what I was doing on this boat while feeling so ill.  Have I made the right decision to sail around the world?  How can I get out of it knowing that I won't get my money back?  How do I tell everyone that my plans have changed and that I am going to go back to work and pack in the idea of a year away?  How am I going to manage feeling so awful, and how long is this feeling going to be around?  I had real doubts that I am doing the right thing.  I then managed to hold down some sea sickness tablets and life became more positive again.  Still hard work but I started to enjoy the sailing and was able to perform tasks without running to the rails on a regular basis. 

The first race was eventually abandoned as we wallowed with no wind off the south coast to the west of Portland.  The course was shortened and the three fastest boats managed to finish before the wind died to virtually nothing leaving the rest of us resorting to turning our engines on to get to the start of the next race.

Lining up for the 'Le Mans' start
under main sail only

A 'Le Mans' start was how we began the second race.  The idea is that there is a lead boat holding a set course with the other boats lined up on each side in a predetermined order.  We all motor along with just the main sail hoisted trying to keep our bows in a straight line.  At one minute before the start the engine is turned off and at the gun the crew run forward to hoist the two head sails as quickly as they can.  The course then has to be held for a further five minutes before the boats can then head of in the desired direction.  We made a very good start on this second race but unfortunately the staysail was inadvertently dropped as one of the crew mistook the halyard for a sheet and released it.  We all make mistakes and in her defence all the ropes look the same when one is under pressure and trying to do something quickly.

This second trip across the Channel was much more pleasant than the first with a near full moon and star studded sky lighting our way.  We sailed with the spinnaker up most of the time so the crossing was relatively quick, so quick that this time the course was lengthened so that we didn't finish too soon.  We eventually finished somewhere in the Solent but with not enough space for us to conduct a man over board (MOB) drill under spinnaker - what a shame!  The instruction was then that we would do it the following day.

Will (Chief Engineer of Leg 1)
serving up dinner

We were all tired after our double crossing so were pleased to be anchoring in Osborne Bay for the night.  Meals were cooked and an inter-boat game of 'Trivia' was conducted over the radio.  Our boat really got into it with complaints from the others that our questions were too serious. 

Jim splicing ropes

 Jim gave us a talk about piracy and multi boat searches as well as showing us all how to splice the ends of the ropes.  Something that will need to be done during our prep week in Gosport.  We also spent time learning about the procedure for using the on-board pumps to pump out the bilges if we are taking on water, and to use the fire hose in case of a fire on board.  During the last race one of the boats used the fire hose to cool the decks while in the Doldrums, so not just for fires.



 

The 'Ice cream boat' tied alongside

What made the evening was the arrival of the 'Ice Cream Boat' after we had finished eating.  Ice creams for sale were expensive but we all gathered on the rail to make our purchases like small children on a Sunday afternoon.  What a treat!

Being at anchor meant an anchor watch with us all taking it in turns to be awake for an hour checking the anchor, water depth and battery levels.  Strict instructions to wake the skipper if there was any concern but all went well and without a hitch. 

We woke on the penultimate morning to bright skies and strong winds, too strong to hoist the spinnaker.  So, no MOB drill with the spinnaker hoisted, but a regular drill with one of the crew donning the immersion suit to pick up Bob the dummy.  Bob was then unceremoniously tied to the stretcher and lowered down below decks where he was assessed and treated by 'Pop' the on-board medic.  We are all getting proficient at this drill and only hope that we never have to carry it out in the real world while on the race.  We were also able to witness Ben Ainslie sail his 'boat' up and down the Solent.  I am not sure if you can call it a boat as it skims across the water balancing on the foils.  An amazing sight and I hope he succeeds in his campaign to bring the Americas Cup to the UK for the first time in its history.

After another night at anchor we headed back to Gosport early on Wednesday morning to arrive at 0800 hrs.  A quick clean up of the boat, yes, the dreaded 'deep clean', saw us finished by 11.30 and off to 'The Boathouse' for an early team lunch.

Will, Chris, me, Murat, Mike, Thom, Jim, Simon, Mel
Team UNICEF at lunch

Another fantastic week, with its 'ups and downs' on a 70 ft Clipper yacht.  It is hard to imagine what it will be like at sea for up to four + weeks; no showers, living at 45 degrees, the heat, the cold, the wet, being seasick, feeling elated, feeling down, missing family and friends, being knocked about etc.  But what this past week has shown me is the team spirit and comradeship we have in Team UNICEF.  Everyone looks out for each other; we have a laugh and a cry, but at the end of the day we care about each and every crew member on board and so far we have all respected our differences.  I must be mindful of those whose English is not their first language and to make sure that they are included in all conversations.  Each of us will bring something different to the boat, be it the technical knowledge of a Chief Engineer, the medical skills of our Medic, the varied menus from the Chief Victualer or the kindness of someone who has noticed one of the crew is feeling down.  The journey is going to be awesome in so many ways and I can't wait to start that journey.

One of the things that I am loving are the cloud formations and colours of the different skies, especially as the sun sets or rises.  On this last trip the sun rises had the greatest impact so I will end by posting a sky that was to be seen as we headed towards the Isle of Wight on our final crossing of the English Channel.