Log Entry No 1 - 1st July 08. (Discoverer)

FROM THE CAPTAINS CABIN

Alonside - United States Coast.

Fiona and Blue watch have taken the lead in this our first log from leg 10. So my brief contribution is to welcome the leg 10 crew and their families and friends to our web site. You can all contact us through the office e-mail, so if you want to ask a question or send a message just tap away. I can’t promise that we will be able to answer every question but we can try. I would also like to public thank all those Bostonians who welcomed us to their city.

250 years ago Boston was at the heart of the movement for American independence. Today they welcomed us back. Our shared values and common heritage (with a few differences) make us natural friends and we stand shoulder to shoulder as staunch Allies. So a very special thank you to the Commanding Officers, Officers, men and women of The USCG Integrated Support Command Boston and His Majesties 10th Regiment of Foot for your welcome and support. We (leg 9 and 10 crews) leave with fond memories and firm friendships established or renewed.

Richard Pattison
Expedition Leader

A Final View Of Boston.

The expedition leader has provided the continuity into this leg, as a new skipper, Cap’n Bob, from JSASTC arrived to begin his take over of the yacht and the new crew flew in a day later from Heathrow, via our leg destination, Reykjavik, to Boston. Various repairs and maintenance tasks were required, the most problematic proving to be the replacement of the throttle cable. The crew were therefore accommodated in a padded gym in the US Coastguard station where all meals were also taken and whose personnel kindly continued to host us as warmly as they had our predecessors. The following two days were taken up with safety briefs and sail training along-side and also provided an opportunity to explore Boston.

During a tour of the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides”, whilst the young USN sailor leading the tour was keen to point out that this was the oldest commissioned war-ship in service afloat, he did acknowledge HMS Victory’s overall seniority! We are indebted to the Commanding Officer and many members of His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot American Contingent for their kind assistance with local knowledge, victualling and their company at an excellent fish supper on Friday evening.

During a simple evolution to move the yacht a matter of yards to a better location for the loading of stores on Friday, the gear cable had unfortunately snapped again and yet another had had to be sourced. Finally, on Saturday, all personnel moved aboard and final kit and victual stowage was completed while we awaited the arrival of the next replacement cable. Once all was ship-shape, we slipped, filled up at a nearby fuel berth and then headed out through the North Channel, into a fog-engulfed Atlantic, turned north and set course for Halifax. We have mostly been on a very enjoyable reach since then, but changes in wind strength have meant we have been assisted by the engine on some watches. On others, though, we have seen 25 knots apparent on others, necessitating spending much of last night with a 2nd reef in the main and still making up to 10 knots.

Despite a few wobbles in the initial hours, most of the novice crew are now getting their sea legs and many are shaping up into good sailors already. You can read some of their first impressions below.

Fiona Galbraith
Blue Watch leader

FROM THE CREW QUARTERS: BLUE WATCH - THE STORY SO FAR...

Josh At The Wheel.

Where to begin? Before I joined the leg I honestly had no idea what to expect and how I would fare being a novice sailor out in the Atlantic. But I have been pleasantly surprised. We set out from Heathrow to Boston via Reykjavik on Wednesday morning relatively a bunch of strangers. But as the long old haul to America came to a close, and in good old army fashion, we bonded really quickly. When we arrived in Boston we got a taxi from the airport to the US Coast Guard harbour where the boat was. As we expected we were put up in make shift accommodation in the form of a padded gym. But I would have to say that the best part of the harbour was the scoff house. We had brilliantly cooked breakfasts with fresh melon to steaks to waffles with syrup, burgers and salad for lunch and all sorts for dinner. The people were also very friendly and everyone seemed to love us for our UK armed service status (which was great for us with big egos!) Due to Thursday being dedicated to work being carried out on Discoverer we got the opportunity to tour round Boston which was fantastic for photos, riding the subway and a cup of corrffee!

The second day found us loading supplies onto the boat and beginning sail training. Apart from being really impressed at just how much you can take onto a 67ft boat we also learned how to tie knots and talked about different parts of the boat including sailor speak. What another language! Some knew it already but I am learning whilst doing. Then came the time for our first taste of action. We were to move the boat backwards to a better position on the dock. And as luck would have it the gear cable snapped. However, being the highly enthusiastic young sailors we are and under the guidance of Cap’n Bob, the job got done without too many dramas. In the evening, we were all invited out for supper at the Summer Shack by a group of lads and ladies who are part of a re-enactment group from the Revolutionary war. They enact the 10th Regiment of Foot, a predecessor to the Royal Anglian Regiment, which happened to be Richard and Bonz’s regiment. I must say it was a brilliant night and they where very good company.

Personally, I would like to thank the ‘Regimental Sergeant Major’ Charley as he was very funny and had some cool American wit. Saturday morning we replaced the gear cable, carried out some last minute training, had lunch, refuelled, then off we went to the ocean. I felt very nervous but very excited. We left the harbour and got shown how to tack and jibe. A method of sailing into and away from wind. We also covered man over board drills. Some of the lads began to realise the waves were a little unforgiving and were soon holding on over the edge checking what they had for lunch! I can only describe it as sitting in a house on a rollercoaster cart and riding it constantly! But the big bad Blue Watch (or the 100% Watch) love a good old rollercoaster and have all stayed clear of sea sickness……get in! As time has gone on I have gained more and more confidence and have found myself part of a four man team putting in reefs in the main sail, raising and lowering the fore and stay sails, steering at the helm and even having a couple of Kate Winslet moments at the pulpit (the very front) of the boat! After carrying out a series of fantastic four hours on four hours off shifts, I now write to you on mother watch preparing a lasagne getting ready to dock in Halifax in the very early hours of Tuesday morning.

As a whole so far I’m having an absolutely awesome time and can’t wait to see more of the world and more of the ocean.

Fog Bank.

Craftsman Josh Souber Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
(Blue Watch)