ULYSSES TRUST REPORT – UTX 02888/22 – HQ REGIONAL COMMAND CADETS BRANCH – EXERCISE SOLENT CHALLENGER – 15-19 AUGUST 2022.
Ex Solent Challenger was the first national Army Cadet sailing expedition to take place for many years. The exercise was delivered in partnership with the Tall Ships Youth Trust which allowed 20 Army Cadets, aged 15-17, supported by 4 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CVAFs), to undertake a 5 day voyage around the south coast of England.
All the participants were novices with no prior sailing experience and being a national expedition all met for the very first time at the Gunwharf Quay, Portsmouth on the first morning of the expedition. The participants were diverse, had very different backgrounds and came from every corner of the United Kingdom. But they all had one thing in common, a sense of adventure and a desire to try new things.
We were met at the Quay side by our respective Skippers and first mates who introduced us to our vessels, Challengers 1 and 2. These were 72 foot long ex around the world racing yachts built by the Devonport Dock Yard in 2000, which for the next 5 days would be our home and responsibility.
After being split into relevant watches and stowing our kit in the very confined space below deck, we received a very comprehensive safety brief and eased out of port into the Solent heading for Cowes on the Isle of Wright.
Surprisingly for everyone and from the very beginning, it was hands on. If you weren’t on deck helming the vessel or working the sails, then you were below navigating or preparing meals and drinks for everyone. As one cadet commented on our first evening review “I was surprised to be helming the vessel within my first hour of being aboard”.
The first day was very much spent getting to know each other, understanding each person, their strengths, preferences and character which helped us to bond as a very cohesive team quickly and assisted with our learning of the basics of sailing.
After a well-cooked evening meal prepared by the Cadets in our tiny galley and preparation for the next day’s voyage to Studland, it was sleep time. Who would have thought 5 teenagers could live and sleep on hammocks in a space little more than 2 metres (6 feet) square!
Our next day was all about learning to tack and jibe the yachts, changing direction to ensure best use of the available wind. We had good weather and fair winds as we passed the Needles lighthouse on our way to Studland Bay. Carrying out an effective tack requires lots of coordination and clear communication between the helm and those on the winches. With guidance, practice and lots of hard work from the whole team “grinding” on the winches, we all finally got to grips with the whole process and certainly earnt our lunch and a brew.
After a physically hard day sailing, we arrived at our anchorage (Studland Bay) for the night, dropped anchor, packed away our sails, cooked dinner and sat on the fore deck reflecting on what we achieved though out the day and taking in the stunning views before the rain came down. As we were at anchor, we mounted an anchor watch though out the night. Everyone participated on an hourly rota basis, checking we hadn’t come adrift and recording our position and depth in the ships log.
Our third day aboard ship was another full day sailing. After breakfast we spent an hour or so administering the yacht both above and below deck, cleaning the galley, and heads and tidying berths before raising the anchor and setting sail for Lymington. The winds were fair, and the two yachts spent the day sailing in the English Channel before competitively making their way into Lymington marina for the evening. After dinner the participants spent the evening climbing the 96 foot mast which was a serious undertaking for them requiring bags of mental agility, courage and self-discipline.
Our final day at sea was spent sailing back along the Solent into Osborne Bay where we dropped anchor using the evening to prepare for our individual night navigation sailing legs back to Gunwharf Quay, Portsmouth. Sailing in the dark using compass, time and cardinal marks was certainly challenging and at times nerve racking dodging the cruise ships leaving Southampton.
It was gone midnight when we finally got into port and moored up, it had been a long but very rewarding day practicing and confirming all the skills that had been taught throughout the voyage.
Having never sailed before it was very difficult to know what to expect. But I can certainly say that this expedition was a fantastic new experience for everyone. The very confined environment required everyone to be considerate and empathise with each other, accept that we are all different, support each other and at times forgive.
The skill set required to crew the yachts was broad and drew on the whole teams’ strengths, working the sails was very physical requiring coordination and determination, navigation needed clear thinking and concentration, and cooking meals in the small galley whilst the yacht was lurching from side to side needed organisation and patience.
It was very apparent that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, for some it was the “best thing I have every done”, it developed the participants’ personal, social and teamworking skills whilst enabling the making of new friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
I would like to thank the Ulysses Trust for their support without which this expedition would not have been possible.
