The 2023 MR Sailex once again generated excellent participation figures with 47 reservists from across the Maritime reserve taking part, representing 12 units. This was the fourth running of the event, which has been supported each year by the Ulysses Trust, without whose support the event would simply not happen.
Aims Maritime reserves Sailex has a number of aims. Primarily it looks to strengthen maritime skills within the Reserve targeting Junior Officers and Ratings; these skills are in direct support of the sailor first initiative, which sets out to ensure that every sailor has an underlying knowledge of seamanship. Sailex also tries to give individuals and teams the opportunity to operate in a challenging environment and, as you will read later, we definitely provided that opportunity this year. In addition, we also look to build connections and relationships throughout the Maritime Reserve and create points of contact that would not normally exist through normal operations.
Planning: Planning remains a significant challenge for this event, which was particularly difficult this year against a backdrop of changing systems and policies across the Maritime Reserve. These challenges are somewhat perpetuated by the self-qualifying nature of the event, meaning that the required sailing, medical and communications competencies have to be provided by the attendees. However, the Maritime Reserve met this challenge and for the first time ever completed the course with no external instructor support. One of the great enablers of this success is that people have been using their attendance on this course to justify undertaking additional qualifications and these areas.
Attendees: As previously stated, a wide cross-section Maritime reserve was represented with AB’s through to Commanders in attendance, 58% of which constituted our target demographic. 60% of attendees contributed a qualification required to make the course run safely. Of particular note was one skipper who was inspired to undertake sailing qualifications due to his attendance at the inaugural Sailex.
Expedition: Day 1 is traditionally ‘shakedown day’ where those who are new to sailing are put through their paces in the form of a series of standard and emergency drills – everything from raising and lowering sales and basic steering to man overboardsand reporting emergencies. This was conducted in very calm still conditions.
The same calm conditions extended into Day 2, which saw individual skippers given the freedom to explore the Solent area and conduct whatever sailing serials they felt best benefited their crew. Given the calm conditions an upriver navigational exercise was a popular choice before heading to Cowes for an overnight stay and social occasion. The course was treated to a barbecue with exceptional views over Cowes Harbour and the Solent which framed a beautiful sunshine, which did a fabulous job of lulling people into a false sense of security for the following day.
Day 3 saw an earlier than planned departure due to a severe weather front sweeping into the area. The crews battled their way back to Portsmouth in winds that were gusting up to 50 mph. There were a number of incidents, some of which resulted in minor damage but, to their credit, the crews and skippers dealt with the situation calmly and professionally and everyone returned safe and sound (if a little damp from the wind and rain) to Portsmouth. There were a few moments of concern when a lightning storm passed through the area whilst the bulk of the fleet was at the Gosport refueling jetty, but all yachts were safely returned and all personnel on time for the onward journeys.
Feedback: The feedback for Sailex 23 was overwhelmingly positive. Respondents to the questionnaire loved the freedom and responsibility that comes with exercising mission command,
‘the freedom of the skipper to plan the activities for their own crew was particularly empowering’.
Many other comments pointed to the quality of the training given by the individual skippers, the opportunity to develop camaraderie and the organisation and execution of the event.
‘Excellent organisation, ran really smoothly. Great skipper and first mate’
‘The quality of training was excellent on boat eight, many thanks to the skipper and mate’
‘Great opportunity to enhance team cohesion morale and develop personal skills’
‘My first time. Everything has been great. Enjoyed the challenge and meeting new people’.
Future plans: Sailex has become one of two key bilateral events for the Maritime reserve logistically it represents one of the biggest planning challenges in the RNR but its value in terms of meeting its core objectives and its impact on morale has been acknowledged at the highest level of the organisation. We look forward to Sailex 24.
