News - BLESMA Trans-Atlantic Race

BLESMA Trans-Atlantic Race

Following the success of 2005 in completing the Atlantic Race Challenge that year, the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association are once again crewing an all amputee yacht from Sao Vincente, Cape Verde Islands to Bridgetown, Barbados, in the Ondeck Atlantic Challenge Race. They sailed from Sao Vincente in the Cape Verde Islands 8 November and are scheduled to arrive in Bridgetown on 21 November dependent on weather conditions.

You will be able to find daily updates on this page. The crew are sending a text diary via satellite as often as they are able to. For a daily GPS progress tracker please go to http://www.ondeck.co.uk/transatlantic/atlantic-adventure-08/position-tracker.htm

17th Nov 2008 (Mon)

Peter Sherston-Baker: "We are sending this message in the hope that whoever receives it will forward it to BLESMA or ONE!! We are fast approaching Barbados now with 160 miles left to run. Last night the Atlantic showed us it’s teeth again with squalls and heavy seas forcing us to bear north. Juno had a tango with a ship that passed in the night - lights were seen and evasive action taken!! Dolphins appeared yesterday. Morale is high the sky is blue and wind-speed is 22knots. Happy Birthday Emma, love from Peter."

15th Nov 2008 (Sat)

Rob Copsey: "Juno is still in the running as anything can happen at sea..! The boat speed is ok but we could do with a few more knots. Both watches are working well but are beginning to flag with the heat and lack of decent sleep. The black humour and comedy are keeping the smiles broad and the laughter constant. The food is good on Juno – Ha Ha to the other boats!! Missing my Beks and girls - lots of love to my family. Happy Birthday to my Mum for the 19th! Team Smith keep up the good work - am I still bottom of the league?! Fingers crossed everyone; we're giving it our all!! Come on, BLESMA! Don’t panic if you don’t hear from us - we are experiencing some comms difficulties!!"

14th Nov 2008 (Fri)

Charley Streather: "We're now cruising with the headsail poled out and making good speed. The generator issue seems to be resolved and morale on board is high. Barbados should be only a matter of days away now and we are hoping to be somewhere near by Tuesday. Anticipation is high for the first drink bought by the General Secretary! Love to Jo, missing you babe! Can't wait to see you in Barbados!"

Bernie Banbury: "5 drops of rain last night and a particularly smelly flying fish were the height of excitement for last night's watch! We are expecting another stinking hot day tomorrow although having jibed again we should at least have the protection of the mainsail from the sun! Recent cloud spotting has included a particularly dubious poodle from Rob and an outstanding sailing boat from yours truly!! Charley sang us on to our watch with 'Slip Sliding Away' and 'No Woman, No Cry' as we ate an outstanding beef curry prepared noisily by H. However, the survival of the generator is in question which could lead to no more showers – with the boat already fragrant, this will no doubt reach new levels!! At least, Barbados will have plenty of warning of our arrival on the wind. Hope that's enough Bannan and love to you all!"

13th Nov 2008 (Thu)

Paul Burns: "Hello to everyone at home! Really looking forward to seeing Mel, my kids and family and friends soon! It's not until you're away from what you really have that you see it and miss it! I am in a fantastic little world, 65' long with15 half naked men in the middle of this vast watery wilderness!! At night the moon has grown to one of the biggest full moons of the year - 'The Beaver Moon' It lights up the sky like a mini sun! Wildlife has been short apart from birds but we know it's out there watching us...! See you all soon! Miss you all. x"

Charley Streather: "Love to Jo and my family! Its been a real race across the sea this time! All on board are well and in good spirits! We've had some really exciting moments trying to keep up with the other boats - all possible sail set at all times! Can't wait to see my wife in Barbados What a fantastic experience this is!! Love to all. xxx"

12th Nov 2008 (Wed)

Colin Rouse: "Spirit of Juno is approaching the half way point now. Minerva and Isis are to the front of her and Spirit of Diana is to the south. The crew are reflective on their position, but reassured by the skipper that where they are in has them in no disadvantage - the race is there for the taking if they want it! Concentration and determination is what you need to conquer the Atlantic. Just look back at what they have achieved in the past days - the mates race for example where BLESMA and Juno took the prize. Who would have thought it? And then sailing through the first night with the spinnaker aloft which no mean feat in itself! As they looked astern to see the land disappearing over the horizon, it is natural that a bit of apprehension would be felt with the thought of 2100 nautical miles to the other side. As days pass by the shouts from the skippers bunk keep ringing out, 'Has some one got the kettle on?!" A good sign the two mates have got things under control.'

Then on one occasion, the boat broached and water came pouring through an open hatch all over one of the bunks, with it's unfortunate inhabitant still in it! The violent action makes the crew excited and fearful at once as the boom drags in the water and canvas flaps violently - then the skipper arrives on deck in his underpants, hopping out of the aft hatch!! The command 'STOP!' is heard over the mayhem - heads turn. Taking control every thing is sorted out in a couple of minutes and then comes the comforting cry has somebody got the kettle on and Juno continues to forge forward on her adventure towards Barbados!"

Jonathan Lee: "Hello to everyone from Day 5 and everything going ok. We're playing catch up on the other boats so we're pushing hard. We're all physically and mentally challenged - I've been off my medication now for 5 days and it's the best I've felt in 12 months! All we can do is to keep on pushing and tomorrow we should reach the half way point. The other boats are running out of food but we don't have that problem - we seem to have 3 times as much as them thanks to Charley! Anyway, wish us luck See you all soon, Jonno. Paul Burns sends love to Mel, family and friends. Skipper sends love to Janis and whilst lying recumbent in his bunk, Charley sends love to Jo and family. Steve Gill sends love to Deon and the kids."

11th Nov 2008 (Tue)

Chris Stewart: "Hello to everyone at home especially to you, Tish. Can't wait to be home with you! The last 24hrs aboard have been quite hectic. We had to drop the spinnaker 3 times on our watch - very hard work. The guy in charge of the meals has excelled himself. My stew today was the best meal I've had since I left home! The boat went right on to its side last night (broaching or 'Chinese Gybing' - Ed) and as my hatch was open I got totally soaked The sea went into all my clothes and bedding! Moral of this tale? Close your damn hatch!! Juno also held a brief Remembrance ceremony today and observed two minutes silence. Absolutely no danger of the Skipper developing bedsores...! Bye for now. Love and kisses to all, Chris.

10th Nov 2008 (Mon)

Wayne Harrod: "Hi to all my family and friends! Life on the boat has been hard going for the last 24hrs as the wind, tides and watch changeovers take their toll. We are all suffering from dehydration even though we're drinking over

5ltrs each a day! The heat inside the boat has produced a great sweat camp for us large males – lovely! Looking good for a tight finish in Barbados. Hope you are all ok at home and work. Can't wait to see you all! Love and kisses, Wayne Harrod (H the Viking!)"

9th Nov 2008 (Remembrance Sunday)

Daniel Psoinos, Capt (Ret) 101 Airborne: "The links between the Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA continue to be forged and as the only non British service member aboard I was honored to be asked to attend the Remembrance ceremony aboard the yacht. We are all brothers in arms and have fought beside each other for the last 100 years. No matter what our nationality we should always take the time to remember the sacrifices of our friends and fathers."

Peter Sherston-Baker: "At 1050 hrs we mustered in the cockpit and held a short service after the 'Act of Remembrance Pipe-down' was called on a Bosun's Call for the 2 minutes silence, followed by ''carry on''. The skipper cast our wreath at N15'54.07W028'00.72. It was very moving. After a closing prayer and some quiet reflection, the lads thanked me for reading the service then we all had a brew! Also, I would like to just say, Happy Birthday to Caitlin aged 3, love Grandpa!!"

8th Nov 2008 (Sat)

Chris Herbert: "This morning was filled with final preparations for setting sail - fresh food and water packed into every available space. Final farewells were said to the locals and off we set to Barbados. Spirits are high throughout the crew and we are in awe of the beauty surrounding the boat. The sea is a blue you only find in fairytales and is surprisingly calm; wind is good. Thankfully no one is seasick yet so all is going really well. As a final thought we must be the best fed crew here thanks to the culinary skills of Charley!! Best wishes to all the families and friends keeping track. We all miss you!"

7th Nov 2008 (Fri)

Steve Gill: "A few thoughts on yesterday's' Mates Race'; We were all revved up before the start, keen to show the other three crews what we are made of and to demonstrate the BLESMA spirit! All our crew have unbelievable strengths and mind sets and are keen to put them into practice. Paul Burns skippered and Colin Rouse backed him up as we tacked and jibed our way into the winning position. The crew were elated and feel the gauntlet has now been properly thrown down for the big one! On a personal note, I'm a bit scared about the adventure and I'm missing my family - love to you all but we've got a job to do now!"

Colin Rouse: "Preparations are almost complete for the Atlantic crossing. Sea trials have ironed out any wrinkles in the boat itself and the crew are working well together as a team. Yesterday evening, the flotilla was treated to an evening of Creolish traditional dancing and a buffet. The locals have given us a very friendly reception. This morning, The Spirit of Juno came first in the 'Mate's Race' around the harbour and won! Crew morale high, weather hot blue skies and a fair wind! All crew send love to families."

6th Nov 2008 (Thurs)

Colin Rouse: "BLESMA crew arrive safely in Sao Vincente. Minor limb crisis en route as Chris Herbert's prosthesis breaks during Sea Survival Training back in UK - Headley Court and Dorset Ortho come to the rescue with spares arriving within 24 hrs. Sea trials have commenced with training trips around the islands. Crew now eagerly await starter's orders. Weather is hot and windy. Joined on board today by rival skippers keen to see how we function with limbs missing!! All good!"