Over 17-30 Jul 22, 11 members of 71 Engr Regt took part in Exercise Northern Baltic Express. The aim of the exercise was to introduce soldiers to offshore Adventurous Sail Training, promote teamwork and cohesion and push individuals both physically and mentally beyond their comfort zones. The Exercise was split into 2, 1 week legs with crews swapping over at the half way stage. Throughout the course of the exercise, over 500 miles were covered, multiple sailing conditions experienced, including sun kissed, blue sky sailing to wet and cold with over 25 miles per hour winds and 3 metre waves. Gp 1 took over sailing yacht Eagle, a Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre Comfortina 42 on Sunday 17th July. After a day of Victualling, mandatory briefs and some basic sail training, the group departed Laboe, Germany, destined for Copenhagen. The next 5 days saw the Group sail circa 250 miles, visit 4 different locations in Denmark including the beautiful Island of Samso and conduct a 112 mile night passage. Group 1 left and Group 2 arrived into Copenhagen on 24th Jul and after another day of Victualling, mandatory briefs and some basic sail training, Group 2 departed Copenhagen, Denmark, with the final destination back to Kiel. The next 5 days again saw the group cover over 250 miles, visit 3 different locations in Demark including the stunning Hundested and Svendborg and conduct an 87 mile passage. Due to gale force winds, the Group had to stay an extra day in Hundested for conditions to calm. With the sea state still very rough and winds gusting to 25 mph, the group eventually left, conducting the 87 mile passage in an amazing 13hrs, averaging over 7 mph. Over the course of the Exercise, all original aims were achieved plus 2 x night passages which were not initially planned. Night sailing offers additional complexities, including to sail by just compass bearing alone and trying to identify types of ships and navigational marks by just their lights. All personnel learnt a great deal and except for 1 individual who was violently sea sick, everyone wishes to expand their sailing knowledge and skills further in the future.
“ Night Sail was epic and I learnt how to tie a bowline and clove hitch, fill in the hourly log and personally found out that the life jackets work” – Sgt K Donald
“ Learnt and practiced the basics of sailing, including and using and changing the different types of sail, navigating in open water and complete the log book. Met a diverse range of people, experienced the Danish culture and learnt more about their customs” – 2Lt H Reynolds
