Text and photos by Elaine Lembo (except where noted)
Caribbean Compass editor-in-chief Elaine Lembo spent time with ARC+ and ARC participants after their successful Atlantic Ocean passages in moderate weather conditions. Most crews made landfalls at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada and at IGY Rodney Bay Marina in St. Lucia in December. Here’s a photo recap; look for the full report and crew profiles in the February 2024 issue of Caribbean Compass!
The Q flag flies for recent arrivals on the docks at Port Louis Marina in Grenada.
Crew of Mastegot, an Oyster 595, had barely drained their cups of rum punch and were already looking forward to circumnavigating with the Oyster World Rally in January 2024.
Bounty, a 1994 Beneteau Oceanis 500, and her crew welcomed a visitor after having just arrived at Port Louis.
The Smith family crew aboard the Moody 54 Blue Pearl kept the ARC+ SSB net running throughout the passage.
During the crossing aboard Cosi, a Lagoon 421, skipper Siegfried Lettmann experimented with his new Oxley Levante parasail for cruising sailboats. “The strategy was obviously not bad,” Lettmann said. “We made the third place in the ARC+ in our category, multihull B!”
Crew from Lamorak, a 1972 Dufour Sortilege 41, relaxed away from the docks at Umbrellas Beach Bar in St. George’s, Grenada.
Will and Suzy Collins of the Oyster 55 Valent joined ARC+ fresh off repairs after an orca attack in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Crews blow off bluewater cares, dancing with Carnival queens at a welcome party at Cap Estate Golf and Country Club in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia.
During the ARC, crew of the Beneteau Escapado cut the tops off plastic bottles and filled them with the boat’s plastic waste. Organic waste and paper were thrown overboard. Cans, glass and plastic were stowed and disposed after landfall. Taping over the tops of jugs once they were full kept everything secure, easy to stow and transport.
Hummingbird, a Clipper 60, flies the banner of Rubicon3 Adventure Sailing, a repeat ARC participant.
ARC Yellow Shirt team members greet Danielle Nicole Weiden, owner of the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 Waymaker. Weiden did the passage with her husband and four children.
From left, Colin Lewington, Michel Vigier, and Paul Worthington, who didn’t let an accidental jibe and broken boom stop the Hanse 505 Mojo from completing the voyage — and keeping her mojo!
Captains Ian Patience and Fiona Gordon enjoy taking guest crew around the world aboard the 57-foot Oyster Asante as part of their Footloose Sailing Adventures, and the ARC is the best way to do it. There’s even time for Fiona’s favorite task of teaching celestial navigation while under way.
The 40-foot 1987 Oyster 46 named Penny Oyster has been the liveaboard home for more than two years for keen racers Millie Webb, 27, and David Warner, 31.
For ARC+ and ARC rally results and awards, log onto the World Cruising Club website (worldcruising.com).
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