• Gathered at Gunwharf Marina in Portsmouth
• Used motor to get out to sea to raise main sail
• Raised sail to reef 3
• Raised the stay sail – practiced winches
• Lowered sails and packed up off coast of the Isle of Wight

The crew joined the ship at one o’clock, where they were given safety briefings both below and above deck, and showed to their bunks.

The motor was used to get out to sea, where the crew raised the sail to reef three. We practiced tacking after the stay sail was raised. The crew then lowered and packed up the sails before anchoring for the night just off the coast of the Isle of Wight to enjoy a bolognaise cooked by Trixie. It was straight heat, lowkey. 🔥 🔥 🔥​

We started the day after doing a Nightwatch, which was rather annoying, but a rather interesting experience nonetheless.

In the morning we awoke at the ungodly hour of 7:00, we then started the engine as we raised the sails before tacking around St Catherine’s point. And then we had lunch out on deck, which was a cool experience, and would set my personal preference for eating out on deck.

Our day started with a nice lie in, followed promptly with a goal setting exercise. Afterwards we mustered on top of the boat and set off from Weymouth to Dartmouth. Then we set off into stormy waters around the head of Portland with waves over three metres tall calamitously crashing on deck.

The only noise that could be heard above deck was the sea shanty of the crew.

On this voyage we encountered a gang of playful dolphins (according to skipper Ben, these were the most playful dolphins in the area).

We experienced a multiplicity of different weather conditions from blazing sun flaying the flesh of crew to whipping wind.

To finish off the day, Ben -our experienced tour guide having spent a year in BRNC- gave a mind opening insight into the rich naval history of Dartmouth.​

We motored to Plymouth as there was an unprecedented lack of wind. Before lunch we learnt our final knots for the RYA competent crew syllabus. For lunch port watch heated up rolls for sandwiches.

Soon after lunch, we completed a man overboard drill where we successfully rescued Bob the buoy from the sea.

On entering Plymouth sound, someone dropped a fender where we applied our knowledge from the previously learnt MOB drill, swiftly retrieving it. Whereafter we continued to Mayflower marina where the crew relished the fruits of their labour by enjoying a rejuvenating shower.

After this, some team members went to the park and visited Tesco express to stock up on sweets. Whilst this was happening three team members purchased several items for cooking for the next few days. Then we returned to the boat as it began to rain. Soon after returning, starboard watch prepared a delicious dinner of bangers and mash.​

A brilliant day. We woke up at 07:30, a respectable time before preparing for our trip to the national marine aquarium where we would be kindly dopped off by the royal William yard ferry to learn about our chosen topic for our blogs.

The marine aquarium was brilliant, however, particular highlights were the shark show and the turtle called Friday. We also continued our research into seagrass and maritime conservation, utilising the aquarium exhibits and interviewing staff.

Now, after being dropped off, we once again enjoyed the luxurious facilities at the Plymouth marina before preparing for the night sail to Poole.

We headed off at around 18:00 and had the very filling and comforting dinner of lentil dhaal before hunkering down for the night.​

Between Thursday and Friday we sailed throughout the night to get from Plymouth to Poole, this was done between the two watches, three hours on, three hours off.

The first watch I did started at 11:00 when it was pitch black and we stayed on until 2:00, fortunately the sea state was in our favour and we didn’t have any notable waves although the wind was too low for sail power and we had to use the motor.

We arrived in Poole at around 13:00 and promptly put away the sails and rested to recuperate the sleep we had lost during the night. We were forced into a sinking dinghy in order to get our RYA Competent Crew.

We bought some bomb-ass t-shirts in Poole, which were NOT generated by AI.

We sailed on a downwind run from Poole to just north of the Isle of Wight.

We practiced many gybes on the way down, after raising the main and yankee sails.

We had pizza pockets for lunch, and a pasta with spicy chicken for dinner. The pasta was crafted with love by hand by our Italian chef on board, Giorno Machiavelli Nostrami… What a champ!

Then we nestled into bed, after being sung a heartfelt lullaby by the ship’s captain and tucked in by the resident tucker-inner on board, Sleepy-Eyed Joe. We slept dreaming of absolutely devouring a Slim Chicken’s in Portsmouth.

What a day… Or so we thought… Then we lost all our “money” to the nasty and evil Saul the house dealer who forced us to play poker then stole all our money…. Bring the thunder.⚡🦅🛵🐺​