can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Folie a Deux - Why the World ARC?



Initially we joined the World ARC for the children. We have two, ages 13 and 16. This being our third extended cruise we recognize cruising is a very lonely environment for children, particularly teenagers. What makes the difference is a community of cruises like you find in Georgetown, Bahamas; Culebra, Puerto Rico; and Lupron, Dominican Republic.

So we signed up for the 1st half of the World ARC 2013 -2014 and met the fleet at their rendezvous in the San Blas Islands, Panama. What a beautiful event. We were welcomed by all. Then, we realized how important this group of people would become to our family.

Around 10 PM, my husband went outside to deal with the horrendous noise of the wind generator. Then it happened -- Tim did serious damage to his left hand – broken, split open, and top of index finger severed. Our cockpit was a bloody mess. Brian was treating Tim for shock (Boyscout Training), and I was applying pressure and elevating the hand. Brian stated, very calmly, “Don’t you think you should call for help?” Brian took over compression, and I picked up the VHF. Lucy added,’ Mom, don’t you think you should put more clothes on?”

The men from Alpharatz were aboard and took over 10 minutes after my VHF distress call. The doctor from Chika-Lu stitched and stabilized the hand, and the captain from NDS Darwin transported Tim to the airfield across the bay. We even had a therapist in the fleet on Ko-Ko, who spent hours training me before our long 22 day passage to the French Marqueses. We were in good hands.

We joined the World ARC for the children. Now I can say we do it for the family. This World ARC fleet has become our family. We are here for each other. Lending a hand in boat repairs, offering extra fuel or water on long passages. Needless to say, we signed on for the second half, and will complete our circumnavigation with our extended family, the World ARC fleet.



Tracey s/v Folie a Deux


Previous | Next