The last ARC boat to arrive in Saint Lucia after 31 days at sea made it’s way into Rodney Bay Marina on Christmas day to a warm welcome on the docks. Up to 100 ARC participants all came away from their Christmas festivities with their families to greet the double-handed crew from Beagle (GER). Ulrich and Alice Zenneck. Were taken aback by the welcome they received as they came through the cut into the marina.
‘We thought we would quietly slip into Rodney Bay unnoticed whilst everyone was enjoying their Christmas lunch. We couldn’t have been more wrong, this has been overwhelming’ Uli Zenneck, Beagle.Participants listened intently on the VHF whilst the ARC team communicated with Beagle as they rounded Pigeon Island and made their way into the marina. The couple were very calm and collected on arrival and did not appear tired. Uli did a great job at berthing his boat after 31 days at sea in front of a pontoon full of cheering onlookers. Cheers continued as mooring lines were secured and the pair received their welcome hamper and the ice-cold rum punch.
Speaking with Uli briefly afterwards, he expressed how he had enjoyed the trip, was happy with his boat and how it all went in general. They had provisioned for 30 days and had plenty of water onboard so were not concerned with their long passage time. They decided not to take on fuel in the Cape Verde Islands as the 24 hours during which they were considering it, Beagle was making good speed in the right direction so they stayed on course for Saint Lucia. They were becalmed for nearly 4 days at one point unable to find wind but kept positive and eventually found the gusts that propelled them to the Caribbean.
We congratulate Uli and Alice on their Atlantic crossing and we are proud of all the ARC participants who came to welcome in the last arrival into Rodney Bay. It shows a strong team spirit and the importance of inclusion within the ARC family.
