 The South African authorities have pulled out all the stops for the World Arc fleet. The South African Police Service has stationed a boat in the Yacht Club for the duration of the stopover and have been out to meet all arrivals and escort them into the port. This has been especially appreciated by the overnight arrivals including Cleone and Northern Sky the last two finishers who got into Richards Bay during the early hours of this morning. South African Customs and Immigration have also been particularly helpful, travelling to the club to clear crew in.
James Anderson, owner of Cleone, described the welcome as the best so far on World ARC in today’s log. He says ‘The Zululand Yacht Club turned out in force to welcome Cleone, even though it was well past one o'clock in the morning. Champagne, a band, a police escort through the harbour entrance, and the yacht club committee waiting to take our lines in the marina - nothing could have been better organised. Even at this stage, I can see we are going to be sorry to leave here!’
The World ARC Yachties have been also made very welcome in the yacht club bar and are holding their own with the notoriously hard partying South Africans. Commodore Kirsten Sheauder’s reputation was damaged by his failure to arrive at the YC the morning after Kealoha’s arrival. He has been ribbed by fellow members for fading after welcoming only one British boat. Kirsten rallied by last night to attend the ‘bring and braai, where all crews were presented with a welcome gift pack including a very fine commemorative polo shirt each and document cases donated by uMhlthuze City Council.
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