“Teamwork is certainly put to the test when living, sleeping and working within 34 foot of each other for a week” OCdt Oliver Irons
In September 2023 five officer cadets and a member of staff from Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC) embarked on Exercise Highland Express. This military adventure training exercise is an annual event run by the Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre (JSASTC) where military units can complete different sailing legs of the voyage including around Western Scotland. This comprised of a six-day sailing expedition around the challenging waters of the West Coast of the Scottish Highlands in a 34-foot sailing yacht. To be able to offer Off-shore Sailing to officer cadets, particularly led by a qualified Coastal Skipper OCdt is unique. Nothing quite can replicate the daily decisions placed on the crew and the reliance on each other as a team. The officer cadets involved are now keen to plan further sailing exercises using their newly gained experience. Additional funding from external bodies have made this exercise possible.
Day 1 The crew arrived bright and early to take over the sailing yacht. After a thorough briefing from NUOTC’s own skipper OCdt Beth Lambert, we set sail. The first day consisted of learning many new skills and concepts that were new to most of the crew. The crew learned and honed their person-overboard and gybing drills (changing course by swinging the sail across a following wind), which put them through their paces as the winds were strong and seas rough, which made it more rewarding. Day 1’s route started at Dunstaffnage Marina and ended in Loch Aline, which included challenging navigation around rocks as well as tactical sailing in strong winds. After the crew whipped up a delicious hot meal and cleaned down the boat, passage planning lessons and tidal calculations for the next day concluded an adventurous first day!
“The adrenaline rush from being fully healed over with waves crashing over the bow is amazing and I think I’m already catching the sailing bug” OCdt Issy Terry
Day 2 A chilly loch swim was an excellent way to start the day, followed by manoeuvring drills with the crew. The crew learnt that for a successful mooring (effectively parking the boat on a pontoon) teamwork is essential. Every crew member had an important role and 3 of the more experienced crew were given the responsibility of learning to be at the helm. This proved an excellent learning experience and challenged our ability to work as a team and successfully communicate in a high-pressure scenario.
Later, last night’s passage plan was put to the test as we sailed north to Tobermory. A stunning day of sailing and getting our crewing very efficient, whilst being spoilt with the company of dolphins alongside.
Day 3 This was to be our most challenging yet as we ventured further, off the beaten track to the small isle of Canna, a whole day’s sailing was required to reach the remote island. A clear day with moderate wind and a view of the Western Hebrides made it a scenic, but slow passage. However, the challenge was not over as our first night sail was ahead….
Day 4 With much anticipation we got our heads down early for our midnight reveille for the night sail. Night sailing, arguably one of the toughest navigational challenges, provided the ultimate adventure for the crew. The demanding task of staying accurate to your course whilst unable to see your surroundings was tough yet rewarding. A stunning dawn accompanied by a pod of dolphins making it all worth it. We continued south, anchoring in the Sound of Iona for lunch before continuing onto Tinkers Hole, where the crew had a well-deserved swim in the beautiful bay surrounded by stunning cliffs. If this was not already enough, daring skipper Beth made the decision that we carry on into the night to make it to our next destination, meaning we would total 93 nautical miles in 24 hours, an endurance challenge!
The next night sail consisted of difficult tides and unforgiving navigation with no room for error, also including a mooring in the dark. The night passage required concentration and skill from all members of the crew, from helming to navigation and lobster pot spotting, making it quite the endeavour.
“The night sailing was incredible, I absolutely loved it. You can’t switch off or lose concentration for one moment and you really rely on your planning and navigation. Such a trialling but great experience!” OCdt Daisy Rex
Day 5 This brought some beautiful sailing including practicing all points of sail and even getting out the spinnaker pole, which many of the crew had never done before. With some beautiful sunshine the crew pushed on to Oban and then further up north to Loch Linhe, where they were welcomed by a tricky mooring which was approached excellently, showing the progress the crew had made over the week.
Day 6 Today the crew ventured further north again heading to Glencoe, where tidal calculations needed to be precise as we were to go under a bridge. After navigating through the bridge and perfecting our ‘coming onto a mooring buoy’ manoeuvre, the boat administration was completed and the crew managed to get the chance to deploy the tender to explore the local area.
Day 7 The last day saw our final night navigation, with us passing below a bridge in the dark with just a metre clearance! We then reached an anchorage and waited for the tides to be right for our final passage back to Dunstaffnage Marina and having our final cold-water swim. After a short and sunny passage, we finally returned to the marina and got the boat ready for handover and celebrated our inspiring passage with a well-deserved meal. The final mooring was testament to how far the crew had come and marked the end to an incredibly testing but fantastic expedition.
“Before this expedition I had never sailed before, so I was certainly pushed beyond my comfort zone, I absolutely loved the challenge and have come away with a brand-new skill.” OCdt Issy Terry
“For me, the opportunity to have a serious level of responsibility for my crew and a boat as an Officer Cadet was a real privilege. It was most certainly testing, in every way, but it has made me develop as a leader.” OCdt Beth Lambert
