Last Ones In

The docks at Port Louis Marina were buzzing this morning as the World ARC crews prepared to cheer in the last four boats to arrive in Grenada, at the end of the last competitive leg of the World ARC Rally. The crews armed themselves with World ARC flags, horns and hooters to load up into dinghies and wait for the new arrivals crossing the finishing line. It was a special group of yachts too; three of them had slowed down to shepherd the fourth – the catamaran Basia, which was dismasted off the coast of Brazil - all the way to Grenada. 

The flotilla of dinghies left the dock and was a welcome sight as the first boat, Eowyn, approached the finish line. The dinghy crews blasted the boat with shouts and horns. It was particularly well deserved congratulations as Eowyn’s crew did so much following Basia’s dismasting. They relayed the MADAY, motored to their position, helped repair additional damage to the hull and organised the donation of 550 liters of fuel Basia from other boats in the fleet.

The next escort yacht to arrive was Tucanon, a Lagoon 440, which had frequently had to deploy a drogue whilst sailing, to slow their pace with Basia. The young crew of Tucanon also deployed in their tender, following the dismasting, to collect Mike, a crew member from Eowyn, so that work could be done to make Basia’s hulls watertight. It was not an easy operation in three meter seas.



And then Basia arrived, followed by the last escort yacht, Jeannius. It was a sorry sight in one way to see a yacht without its mast but far more felt was the elation that this boat had finally arrived safe in Grenada. She had motored for 1300 nautical miles to get herself to the Caribbean for repair. A fantastic effort and with the support of other yachts, this surely demonstrates a huge benefit of circumnavigating as a fleet.

Click here to see footage of Basia's arrival

The World ARC will continue the party here in the superb surroundings of Port Louis Marina. They will enjoy a tour of the island, offered by the Grenada Board of Tourism followed by a Welcome Party in the evening. From Grenada the fleet will cruise to Marigot Bay in Saint Lucia to prepare for a Parade of Sail to cross the event finish line in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia.