Single Side Band (SSB) Radio 

For quite some time, sailing on the ‘high seas’ meant having to use AM radio communication with a range of up to 200 miles, at least until until HAM and SSB radios became more reliable.   

Nowadays, satellite phones are becoming more affordable and able to provide voice, text and email connection anywhere in the world.  When going a long way offshore, using a satphone, inexpensive Iridium GO and a laptop for emails may result in SSB becoming largely redundant.

Join the debate at https://www.bwsailing.com/bw/offshore-communication-comes-of-age-for-the-occasional-passagemaker

Whitbread is back! 

The Ocean Globe Race 2023 retro-event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first fully-crewed Round the World Race of 1973 (sponsored by Whitbread Breweries). 

Only production yachts designed before 1988 of LOA 47-66ft and well proven construction will be eligible.   There will be a maximum of 30 entrants and navigation will be limited to sextant paper plots with no satellite communications.

Starting on 10th September 2023, the race creates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ordinary sailors to follow the classic four-leg Europe-Africa-Australasia-S America-Europe route with three 2-3 week stopovers.

https://youtu.be/MYzj_kyuWGs

oceangloberace.com

National Coastwatch stations are happy to check AIS transmissions, particularly at the beginning of the sailing season.   

More details can be found at https://www.theca.org.uk/news/rats/ais_checks_2019

Not all stations can monitor AIS so it’s worth checking the NCI website at https://www.nci.org.uk/content/station-map-and-list

Via the NW Passage

Norbert Sedlacek is sailing an ‘Open 60’ yacht to become the first sailor ever to complete a singlehanded, nonstop circumnavigation through all five oceans including both the Arctic and the ‘Southern’ - approximately 34,000nM in around 200 days.

His course takes him through the NW Passage from east to west, then south around Cape Horn and Antarctica in the Southern Ocean to pass Cape Horn a second time before heading north back home to Les Sables d'Olonne.

afloat.ie/sail/offshore/

Know your limits!

A useful reminder from the MOD, available to see on the following website:-

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/

007

Alex Thomson of ‘Hugo Boss’ puts on an amazing show!

Check it out on YouTube:-

https://youtu.be/y4loB_UGxw8

A series of advanced splicing tutorials by Marlow Ropes is being released throughout the summer and begins with a demonstration of the Eye Splice (where most of the strength is provided by the core and the cover provides its protection).

Eye Splice Tutorial

https://www.marlowropes.com/splicing-instructions

Lymington

22-23 June 2019

The World Cruising Club are hosting a free bluewater cruising weekend at Berthon Marina in Lymington to discuss all aspects of 'living the dream'.   A wide range of offshore cruising boats will be available together with experts in re-fits, sails, communications & boat equipment.

There will be a parallel series of seminar presentations including preparations for the ARC 2019 or beyond and an opportunity to chat with experienced offshore skippers.   Ocean Safety will highlight key considerations such as liferafts, lifejackets, EPIRBs and other items needed for crossing the oceans.

An optional Sailing Supper at LTSC, just a short walk away, is available on the Saturday evening.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged as capacity is limited.

www.worldcruising.com/training

The cruise berthed in the excellent Mayflower Marina on Wednesday 12th June. 

Quickstep kindly hosted everyone for tea and cake on the warmest afternoon so far. 

The marina manager was so impressed he took some pictures from the office and in return the staff enjoyed some cake with us.

Charity Event

This charity fund-raising pursuit (NOT a race) takes place on Saturday 15th June 2019 and is open to all sailing yachts.

A memorable day out, the course runs from Portsmouth to the Nab Tower and finishes near Gilkicker Point with prize-giving and BBQ celebrations at Hornet Joint Services Sailing Club, Haslar Creek, Gosport.

The charity supports 10 young people from Gosport each year for sail training on the 60’ SY ‘Discovery’.   Full details & conditions of entry at https://gosportmarinescene.com/event.