Since its inception in 1986 thousands of cruising enthusiasts have enjoyed crossing the Atlantic with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). This year is no exception, with entries racing ahead at 150 yachts by the end of February and set to reach the upper limit of 225 yachts by the end of April.

ARC 2007 Prizegiving Ceremony

The talk amongst the crews on the docks in Rodney Bay Marina for the past few days has been whether or not their boat has won any trophies in the ARC or perhaps one of many special awards presented at the main event on the ARC programme, the overall prizegiving.

Can there really be an “average Atlantic Rally for Cruisers”? Probably not if ARC 2007 is anything to go by. Average weather depends on how far north or south of the rhumb line a yacht has stayed and how far ahead or behind the main body of the fleet it has sailed. Average breakages certainly come down to an individual level; some yachts having a smooth crossing with hardly a hitch, whilst others have battled rig failures, engine problems, broken sails and booms.

ARC participants enjoyed true St Lucian hospitality last night courtesy of Rodney Bay General Manager Cuthbert Didier and his wife Sancha. Not many people would open up their own home to several hundred visiting yachtsmen and bestow them with plenty of great local food washed down with delicious rum punches and free drinks all evening, but Cuthbert and Sancha laid on a veritable feast followed by top entertainment all night.

Wagtail arrived just after midday local time and received one of the biggest welcomes from supporters, friends and family on the dockside in Rodney Bay Marina. Michael, Sherrida and Gregory could not hide their delight at finally arriving in the Caribbean and were surprised at the number of people waiting to greet them. Fellow ARC participants came along to make plenty of noise with airhorns and loud clapping and cheering could be heard all around the marina and from participants on their yachts on the other pontoons. The St Lucia Tourist Board welcome crew arrived with plenty of rum punches, a large fruit basket and a bottle of rum so the crew of three can continue their party well into the afternoon.

No more arrivals are expected this afternoon.

Majority of the fleet have arrived
Most of the ARC fleet have now arrived safely in St Lucia where there are currently 228 yachts and a full to the brim Rodney Bay Marina. It's quite a sight as the majority of yachts are happy to be in dock after their Atlantic crossing and are taking time to relax and enjoy themselves on shore. The ARC village is lively in the evenings with bands and BBQ foods on offer. During the day local traders sell their handmade wares which always make excellent Christmas presents for those crews who are having to tear themselves away from the tropical paradise. Lots of participants are sharing rides to the airport as they have to fly home to family for the festive season.

Ariel, the 7.64 meter Nordic Folkboat crossed the finish line late on Sunday evening. They were welcomed into Rodney Bay by other double handers from Hippopotamus who went out to the finish line in a water taxi and a crowd of well wishers were waiting as they came into the marina having let a flare off to light the berth. They tied up to respectful applause as Ariel looked tiny next to other ARC boats on B dock. Sitting in Scuttlebutts bar with a Piton beer shortly after tying up Henry and Tim described the crossing as “Straightforward” adding “we missed all the thunderstorms, we just let them get ahead of us”
The celebrations continued in Rodney Bay on Sunday with a very well attended Fun Racing day for Optimist and Laser sailors at the St Lucia Yacht club and an afternoon of Steelband music in the marina.

An excerpt from EHO1’s arrival log
Beneteau First 47.7
ARC2007 Racing Division

“At dawn a call of “Land Ahoy” filtered down below as we spotted Martinique to our starboard. ‘Gin’ watch, who was at the time the ‘on watch team’, kept this little bus moving whilst ‘Tonic’ file through showers and generally tidy below so that we look just a tiny bit presentable!!

The Directors of World Cruising Club express their deep sorrow at the death of John Thompson, 54, the skipper of the yacht Avocet that was participating in ARC 2007.

With one third of the ARC fleet now safely tied up in Rodney Bay Marina, St. Lucia, we look at the feelings on board as those last few miles are eaten up, the joy of arrival and last, but by no means least, how the remaining two thirds are getting on!

With the majority of the ARC yachts now in the final countdown to the finish at Rodney Bay St.Lucia, the thoughts of crews are turning towards their impending arrival. For some this means the end of rocking, rolling and discomfort; for others it is means the end of a great adventure.

Much of the fleet are recovering today from being beaten by 40 knot plus winds for the last few days. Thankfully the weather system has passed for most, although those north of the rhumb line may still experience winds of up to 50 knots due to a tropical disturbance currently off Puerto Rico. The good news is, this low pressure system is moving westwards and therefore conditions should improve in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Late on Friday 07 December, John Thompson, skipper of the GBR-registered yacht Avocet received a serious head injury caused by the boom during a broach in heavy seas. With the casualty unconscious, urgent medical support was sought. A call was made via the ARC Net for medical assistance whilst the regional Maritime Rescue Control Center (MRCC) in Martinique tried to locate a ship that could evacuate the casualty.

Following his evacuation on Sat 08 December, John is now in hospital in Barbados undergoing medical treatment for serious head injuries.

It was another night of squall dodging for many ARC Yachts. Crossing the Atlantic isn’t just about great warm trade wind sailing, as the majority of the fleet above 16 degrees north are finding out.

Once again the ARC Net was called into action to help sailors crossing the Atlantic – twice in the last 24 hours with a casualty evacuation from yacht Avocet and a dramatic MAY-DAY alert and rescue involving five ARC yachts.

Ted who intended to sail on the boat Nix was prevented from taking part when he had a heart attack in Las Palmas five days before the start. Having spent a few days in hospital in Las Palmas he flew to St Lucia and paid a visit to the ARC office to claim his Rum Punch from the St Lucia Tourist Board. He is now fully recovered and looking forward to meeting his team mates on their arrival, hopefully tomorrow (Sunday)

The first ARC 2007 yacht arrived safely into Rodney Bay Marina this morning (7 December 2007), crossing the line at 09.15. Matelot, an 80ft Southern Wind, made an impressive sight as she rounded Pigeon Island where she was met by three local boats.

The Atlantic crossing with the ARC is often casually described by armchair sailors as “a milk run”; well for some ARC crews last night saw the milk well and truly churned as an area of concentrated rain and thunderstorms brought a wet and wild night for yachts in the middle of the fleet. The concentrated area of the weather system meant that yachts to the north or south enjoyed perfect conditions, whilst those coming through the middle, had a totally different night.