The World ARC 2015-16 fleet have all now arrived in the wonderful Galapagos Islands. The leg from Panama was a testing one with the first few days of strong winds in the Bay Panama and then a day or two of motoring for most of the boats, before they picked up light trade winds from the SE into the Galapagos Islands. There was often a helpful current, but not broad enough for all boats to benefit from it. Reviewing the differing strategies and courses, those who progressed best were in the ‘middle lane’; with a good compromise between slightly extra distance but better winds. World ARC is a Rally not a race, but crews will see how they did at the prizegiving, in ten days time.
As the yachts anchored in Puerto Baquerizo in San Cristobal, the wildlife which crews had been promised was in abundance. Some early visits from inquisitive sea lions tested the defences which crews had made to protect their boat from unwanted visits, from these playful but raucous and smelly mammals.
Also in abundance were the authorities whose mission it is to welcome and clear international yachts into Ecuador and also to protect the Galapagos National Park from introduced species and threats to the islands’ ecosystem. So for each yacht to arrive, a team of up to 11 officials, led by the World ARC agent Ricardo Arenas, visited the boat to complete the arrival formalities.
In the end, the huge amount of preparation was sufficient and all yachts received permission to enter the Park. All were deemed to be a low risk threat to the environment. ‘We have been really impressed by the preparations of the yacht crews. Thank You’
As part of a World ARC programme crews then visited the fantastic Kicker Rock for snorkelling with the sharks and other sea life and also visited the Highlands to grab some views and to see one of the tortoise breading programmes.
Some of the boats, who were the first to arrive, have already started to leave Puerto Baquerizo to visit other named ports in the Islands.The fleet meet back together in Puerto Ayora in a week's time.