All 42 ARC+ boats and 17 ARC boats are now inside Rodney Bay Marina after their Atlantic passage.The last of the ARC+ boat 'Goldeneye' (USA) has just crossed the finish line in Rodney Bay and were given a large welcome on the docks on arrival. The full ARC+ fleet will then be all together again in Rodney Bay Marina in time for the Prize-Giving Ceremony on Wednesday 11 December. The ARC arrivals have typically been the larger boats, and as anticipated, 9 of these boats are from the Racing Division and have therefore not used their engine for propulsion. The smallest ARC arrival so far is the Pogo 40 Tante Anni (GER) after a fast 15 days at sea.
The most recent arrival to the ARC in Rodney Bay - Delicia
So what happens to the ARC+ fleet after the final Prize-Giving? A function has been organised by the ARC+ team in the beautiful natural harbour in Marigot Bay on 12 December for final farewell ‘Barbeoke’ kicking off 1830. About 25 ARC+ boats are expected to sail the 8NM from Rodney Bay South to Marigot and pick up a complimentary mooring buoy, before making their way ashore to enjoy a BBQ supper, complimentary drink and some live entertainment. Once the evening is over ARC+ boats are free to cruise as they wish, many of which will continue to sail in company to neighbouring Islands and enjoy cruising the Caribbean. Some owners are leaving their boats in the Caribbean and returning home to be with their families over the festive period before returning again in the New Year, whilst others are making their way towards Panama and onwards through the canal into the Pacific.
It is great to hear that so many boats are keen to sign up for other World Cruising Rallies, with Dasha Way, Ninfea and Solar Blue all very interested in World ARC, Resolute of Thames are keen on ARC Europe and Colin & Belinda Laidlaw crew onboard Sonsy Lass have signed their own boat up to ARC Baltic. We look forward to welcoming you on the docks and supporting your cruising dreams around the World.