Introduction to Special Feature

RTR OFFSHORE SAILING

Lieutenant Adrian Langford

Sun, Sea and Scotland?

DREADNAUGHT Squadron enjoys two weeks of offshore sailing in Scotland’s answer to the Caribbean.

Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, guaranteed sunshine, constant breeze and miles of white sandy beaches, Antigua is probably the best place on Earth to learn to sail. Instead, soldiers from DREADNAUGHT found themselves this summer venturing off the west coast of Scotland.

On the 18 of July, Cpls James Sansom and Nathan Smith along with LCpl Lewis Clarke and Tpr Kallum Philips became the crew of Joint Service’s Halberg Rassy, Petrel IX. Skippered by Capt Adrian Slim of the Royal Signals with First Mate Lt Adrian Langford, the crew spent seven days exploring the southern sector of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides.

With James, Nathan, and Lewis completely new to sailing, and Kallum having only completed his RYA Competent Crew course a few weeks prior, the week served as an excellent opportunity to introduce serving soldiers to thrill of offshore sailing. During the first week the crew ventured from Dunstaffnage marina and completed a circumnavigation of the Isles of Mull, Jura and Kerrera. The vessel called into the towns, anchorages and memorable locations of Tobermory (recognisable as the location of the fictional town of Balamory), Fingal’s Cave, the Isle of Colonsay, the Sounds of Iona and Jura, Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay, the Crinan Canal, the Sound of Corryvreckan and finally Oban before returning to Dunstaffnage.

Despite the unseasonably light winds and persistent Scottish sunshine (please see photographic evidence as proof), the crew managed a total of 188 nautical miles. At times they could have been forgiven for thinking they were amongst the Isles of Tortuga and Grenada rather than Staffa and Scarba.

A particular highlight of the week was the day spent ashore exploring the Island of Islay. Berthed in the marina of Port Ellen, the crew discovered what Hebridean island life was like, including going for a wild swim in the local bay. On their return to Dunstaffnage, the

Crew of Week 1 whilst berthed at Port Ellen

Heading into the treacherous Sound of Corryvreckan

crew left having enjoyed fair weather sailing in potentially Scotland’s sunniest week in history. In their place came the RTR crew for the second and final week of adventure under sail. LCpl Ben Cornock along with Tprs Kane Salvage, Harry Terry and Jamie Bates and their skipper, Lt Col Richard Sernberg, arrived to take over the vessel. With an identical level of crew experience as the week prior, it was set to be another brilliant introductory week to offshore sailing for the soldiers aboard. Thankfully, blessed with a bit more wind, the crew set about determining just how far afield they could sail over the exercise. Initially, the prospect of circumnavigating around the Isle of Skye was thought to be possible. But with the wind predicted to dwindle as the week progressed, a shorter, island-hopping excursion in the northern sector of the Inner Hebrides was opted for instead.

Leaving Dunstaffnage on Sunday the 25 July, the crew sailed through the Sound of Mull until reaching the town of Tobermory where they stayed the night. From here, the crew spent the next few days sailing north, passing the well know Islands of Eigg, Rum, and Muck. An overnight anchorage at Loch Scavaig on the southern tip of Skye was insisted on by the skipper and enjoyed by all. Regarded as one of the best anchorages in Europe, Loch Scavaig is surrounded on three sides by the Cullin hills and offers dramatic views of the vast Loch Coruisk for those wishing to row ashore. With sufficient wind up until the final day of the exercise the crew enjoyed champagne sailing conditions as they returned from the northern