DAY ONE 14th – TRAVEL
Students travelled from RAF BENSON to Luton airport, arriving at 14:40. We departed at 17:15 using Wizz Air UK. We arrived at split airport at 20:15 then made the journey to Marina Mandelina to move into our charter Yacht for the week.
DAT TWO 15th – SUPPLIES AND FIRST SAIL
With a limited amount of time for students to get the supplies needed, we had a 6:30 wake-up. We braved the rain and left the yacht at 7:40 for Lidl. Off Cdt Ashmore led this trip and split the group into pairs to gather certain supplies to make the trip more efficient. We had a €400 budget, we spent €270 at Lidl, giving us a generous amount left for another supply run later in the week. After paying and making sure we had enough supplies to last us until we could resupply, we set off back to the yacht. We arrive back at 9:05 and proceed to unpack. Following on Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce gave the crew and brief about the trip and our expectations. We also had a chance to learn some theory about sailing from Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce and Off Cdt Woods. By 11:40 the cooks of the day, Off Cdt Nethacott and Off Cdt Worrall, started to prepare lunch. Each day a member of the crew would have a different role. The roles included:
- First mate
- Deckhand
- Cook
- Cleaner/ Engineer
At 12:40 we set off on our first sail, the students were buzzing with excitement to finally sail the Adriatic and put our teamwork skills to the test. On this short voyage we learnt some basic skills such as knots, man overboard drills, basics of sailing, tacking and gybing. At 15:40 we arrived and docked at Prvic Luka, a quaint fishing village situated on the island of Prvić, Croatia, served as a picturesque stopover during our sailing expedition. Renowned for its serene ambiance and natural beauty, the village offered a welcome respite from the open sea. Once the boat was secured and all duties had been done the students were off duty from 16:10. The students explored the town, picked up some more supplies and soaked up the history as there was surprisingly a lot.
DAY THREE 16th – LEARNING THE ROPES
7:55 wake up. Off Cdt Ashmore and Off Cdt Thomas were the cooks of the day so promptly made coffee and breakfast for the crew, while this was going on the rest of the crew were busy preparing the boat to sail. By 8:40 the yacht was ready to go, and we set sail at 8:45. The weather today was a huge improvement from the previous day, the spirits of the crew were lifted.
At 11:30 we hit our first of many rough patches of sea as we turned to sail downwind. This took a toll on our supplies, due to some ill packing and securing we lost 15 eggs due to the rough waves which caused a packet of rice to open a latch to the egg cupboard. This was a lesson learnt. The crew was a little more of a well-oiled machine this time around. Around 12:45 were moored with a boy in the middle of a bay, after securing the yacht and preparing food for the crew, there was a chance to let off some steam after a hard day’s work by having our fist swim. This was thoroughly enjoyed and allowed students to do some extra physical exercise.
DAY FOUR 17th – TEST OF THE CREW
7:55 wake up to rain and a heavy gust. After getting up the students get the boat ready to set sail, this would include securing all hatches, disconnecting from electricity, securing loose objects, removing instrument covers and taking down the canvas cover. The goal of each day was to set off at 8:30 to make the most of the day. Day four saw the worst weather we had during this trip; this day would test the resilience and grit of the crew. This day would also expose some weak sea legs. We embarked on a 6hr long sail, this was met with a few challenges such as sea sickness and a faulty bolt which failed which led to a crucial line that supported the main sail to fail, this meant we could no longer sail and had to use the motor. For some students, this was their first-time experiencing sea sickness, this was especially apparent in Off Cdt Nethacott and Off Cdt Thomas
After this arduous sail we were greeted into a stunning bay where we moored up on a boy in a bay close to the City of Hvar. After securing the yacht and doing our tasks a earnt swim in the sea was had after the students had been dismissed.
DAY FIVE 18th – JOURNENY TO SPLIT
- Brac to Split
7:50 wake up to sufficient weather. Two cooks prepared breakfast and coffee while the rest ensured the boat was ready for the 08:30 departure. Sailing from Brac to Split, day 5 consisted of a 6-hour sail. Day 5’s focus was set on safety and learning Spinnaker drills for setting the spinnaker sail. The Skipper ran us through the rules of the road, lights and shapes as well as rescue procedures should someone go overboard. This was followed by us practicing the procedures for if such event were to happen. Docking up in a bay for lunch at 13:00, the two cooks made lunch while the other students went for a swim. An hour later we set back off for the final destination of the day, Split. With weather better than day 4, sea sickness was not experienced amongst students. The second half of the trip was calm, with further practices of emergency procedures while under sail taking place. Having concluded sailing at 16:45, and having completed all post-sail jobs by 17:45, we conducted a second food shop of the expedition, with the cook preparing dinner once we got back to the boat.
DAY SIX 19th – CHOPPY WATERS
Waking up to cloudy skies and choppy seas, the two cooks assigned for that day made breakfast and coffee while the rest of crew ensured the pre-sail checks were complete in time for the 08:30 departure. Day 6’s sail towards Rogoznica involved us utilizing onboard equipment and visual references to safely navigate waypoints. Under the supervision and instruction of Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce, we each took turns taking control of the wheel, setting a visual waypoint and sailing towards it. At 12:45 we moored in an enroute Bay, with the cooks preparing lunch while the rest of the crew completed necessary upkeep tasks, such as cleaning and filling in the log. At 13:45, we set off towards Rogoznica. Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce introduced us to the echo sounder, allowing students to understand how to navigate through paths with the deepest water. The choppier sea resulted in a few students feeling slightly seasick, but to no level comparable to day 4. Arriving at Rogoznica, students docked up and completed the post-sail routine in time to get off duty at 16:15 and explore the town.
DAY SEVEN 20th – THE LAST RIDE
Waking up at 07:30, the assigned cooks prepared breakfast and coffee whilst the rest of the crew conducted the pre-sail checks. Day 7 focused on further education in useful knowledge and skills in sailing. After we had set sail, Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce instructed students on DRs (dead reckoning) and its uses for estimating a boat’s position using course steering and the estimated speed through the water. With clear skies and calm weather, under the instruction and observation of Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce, students were allowed to take turns taking the wheel. Mooring for lunch in an enroute bay at 12:45, the cooks prepared lunch while the other students initiated the final cleaning of the boat. After lunch and a swim in the bay, the boat set sail again towards its final destination for the day; Sibenik. During the second half of day 7’s journey, Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce instructed students on estimated positioning (EP), allowing students how to correct the DR by accounting for wind, currents and other factors. Arriving at Sibenik at 15:00, the crew refueled the boat at the INA refueling station, heading to the marina afterwards. Once docked up, the crew completed the post-sail checks, finishing the final clean once complete. The crew went off duty at 17:15.
DAY EIGHT 21st – DAY IN SPLIT AND TRAVEL BACK
Waking up at 08:15 to nice weather, the crew unloaded all belongings, awaiting the handover at 09:15 and a car pick up for 09:30 which would take them to Split. Upon arrival at Split, Off Cdt Mark Woods headed home, with Flt Lt Hayman-Joyce parting ways too. The rest of the students decided to drop their bags off at a bag drop station in Split, arriving at the station at 10:45. From here, the remaining crew split into two groups to explore the city, meeting up at a restaurant for breakfast and a quiet restaurant for lunch. At 17:30, a pre-arranged taxi picked up the remaining crew, arriving at Split airport at 18:10. With the aircraft being delayed, the remaining students and PO Brookes departed Split at 22:10, arriving at London Luton at 23:10. MT picked everyone up at 23:45, Arriving at Benson at 00:55, personnel headed to pre-booked rooms in the Officer’s Mess where they would depart in the morning.
PROS
-Experiencing a different living environment, working and living together in close quarters
-Building resilience with the choppy weather
-Team bonding, really brought everyone together
-New learning environment
CONS
-Insufficient number of sea sickness tablets
“Overall, the trip was a huge success, it is difficult to think of any cons, perhaps the weather at some points. It was a trip that really tested the students in a completely new environment while learning new skills. Living in such close quarters really tested our teamwork at points but being able to overcome some challenges really strengthened our bonds and ability to work as a team. This resulted in us being a well-oiled machine, everyone knew their assignments and how to do them. Working as a team became seamless.”
Ocdt Thomas
Transfer of Skills
Two of the students having decided to apply for their RYA Competent Crew award and are interested in progressing their sailing experiences.
The skills learned living on board in close quarters and learning new skill sin challenging conditions will transfer directly to those who decide to join the military. The discipline and teamwork practiced will directly transfer to Basic Officer Training at RAF Cranwell.
For those that don’t join up, these skills also transfer to future employment and university studies, through the development of their self-discipline and confidence.
Since returning, the crew delivered a presentation and discussion to other OUAS members, which has helped to encourage participation in future Adventure Training and putting themselves in challenging situations.
