In 3 Royal Welsh there is a concerted move to undertake more offshore sailing. There were a couple of opportunities in 2012 and 2013 to do so in the warm waters off Southern Cyprus as part of our annual camps on ex LION STAR. Ex ABERMENAI DRAGON was a chance to continue the effort but in a colder and more challenging climate – the chilly waters off North Wales. The options were limited as to craft, so a charter was arranged for a Sigma 38, Mistral of St Helier.

Mistral was Skippered from within the unit by LCpl Christian Harris with Cpl Andre LeCras as Mate; a team with a huge amount of experience under their belts. The two crews of 6 who spent 4 days apiece on board were largely all novices to sailing. Conditions proved to be favourable i.e. rough for much of the time with good fresh and strong winds throughout increasing at times to Force 6. This made for good learning experiences, much seasickness, but also the chance to get a good feel for sailing in UK waters. Transits were made from Conwy to The Isle of Man and back, around the North Coast of Anglesey and through The Menai Straits.

All who took part benefited hugely and are keen to undertake more. Plans for 2014 are ambitious - a 14-week trip to The Lofoten Islands in Norway split into seven 2-week legs. This will be in concert with JSASTC at Gosport who will provide a Nicholson 55 and a Skipper throughout. Hopefully now though, word has got out around the unit that sailing is most definitely on the agenda and further, that our soldiers will book themselves onto JSASTC Comp Crew courses in readiness for The Lofoten Islands.

The assistance of The Ulysses Trust in financing ABERMENAI DRAGON is gratefully acknowledged.