The aim of this exercise was to introduce Territorial Army members of the unit to offshore sailing, learning a new skill so that they may confidently crew an offshore sailing vessel in a safe and professional manner whilst developing character, initiative, teamwork and leadership in a challenging and different environment. This provided an excellent opportunity to expose members of the unit to an arduous activity in order to demonstrate the benefits of teamwork and to identify the future potential leaders, whilst generating team spirit and reinforcing unit ethos.

The fortnight was split into two separate weeks with a crew change mid-way through, Skipper, Andy Anderson, remained throughout and had organised the exercise. We were blessed with sunshine, with just the one day presenting a deluge. Joining Andy for the first week was Melissa Nicholls, Beth Stacey and the three greenhorns, Dave Jenkin, Anthony Vanderplank and Matt Collins. Dave and Matt were under the misconception that they were sailing a luxury ocean-going liner and so when they were introduced to ‘Voluta’, a Victoria 34ft yacht, they were initially disappointed when they realised there was no shower onboard!

First port of call was Cowes, just a short trip across the Solent. This gave perfect opportunity for crew to get some training in and to be introduced to the fundamentals of sailing. Day two and all were keen to get out on the water and put into practice all that they had learnt the day before. Dave enjoyed taking the helm; in fact he was so enthusiastic that when it came to putting in a tack, he managed to carry out a complete 360 turn!

The second and third days were spent sailing to Lymington, Poole and Weymouth, practicing all the skills learnt in the calmer waters of the Solent. We had an early start on the Friday due to the bridge lifting at Weymouth Harbour and started on our merry way heading for Poole. However, it was not long before we would soon be bound once more for Weymouth, having got some sunken fishing net caught around our propeller. Skipper Andy to the rescue! With a rope tied round him, he jumped overboard to try and cut it free, but the water proved too cold. Having sailed in to shallower waters, where it was a bit warmer skipper Andy donned the very attractive ‘Once Only’ survival suit and once more jumped overboard. This time successful in his mission, we were once more bound back towards Poole.

On the penultimate day, making our way quietly back to Portsmouth, Beth cooked up an amazing chicken pasta en route. Then, once in alongside, the crew enjoyed a meal out together with a few drinks at Gunwarf Quays. The next day was just a hop across the river and cleaning duties before Crew Two took over.

Week Two saw Si Baker, Kelly Stacey and novices Dan O’Beirne, Craig Earl and Vaughan Pickhaver joining skipper Andy on the good ship Voluta. Day one consisted again of getting to know the boat, pulling up sails and dropping them again, and ‘man over board’ drills. It wasn’t long before our enthusiastic greenhorn Dan was heard to say “We’ve lost the damn wind! Let’s throw in a tack and get it back!”

A day of practicing ferry gliding or moving the boat sideways through the water and catching a buoy revealed skipper Andy’s chink in his sailing armour – he can’t throw rope! Dan, enthusiastic as ever, watched and learned how to miss a buoy! Having settled in well and taken to sailing like a duck to water, the crew elected to bypass Lymington and head out in to open waters bound for Poole.

Having over-nighted in Weymouth and proved their new found skills skipper Andy decided that with the tide and a following wind it made conditions ideal for a long passage and set off from Weymouth bound for Gosport. Although at times visibility could have been better, with the wind behind her and a surf rolling, Kelly took the overall speed record at 10.8 knots through the water.

Crew Two again finished the week with a meal ashore before heading back in to Gosport to clean up and hand over the boat. A good two weeks was had by all, with great food cooked by ourselves, some relaxing beverages and cracking company.