This years ARC + fleet have been steadily arriving in to Rodney Bay Marina, greeted by both the ARC + Rally Control and the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. Clarelsa are keeping Altair company on the super yacht pontoon while the rest of the fleet have started to congregate on E pontoon. The first of the early morning arrivals was Marisja shortly followed by Clarelsa and then Charm who managed to chase the wind and cross the finishing line with 0 engine hours at 04:00 local.
By the end of today 12 yachts will have crossed the finishing line and taken there first step on to Caribbean soil. Over the following week participants will have time to swap stories and tactics, visit the picturesque beaches that surround the marina, experience the authentic fare at the Ansle Le Raye fish fry, and of course enjoy some cold Caribbean rum and reggae!
There are still currently 61 yachts at sea but they are all making steady progress in the light winds that have stayed with the fleet for the majority of leg 2. Many of the fleet have taken advantage of the calm conditions, fishing, writing blogs for family and friends, and taking a mid Atlantic dip.
The fishing techniques became creative onboard Charm:
“I told the kids to get outside to see what we had caught and ran to grab my camera. Joe and Kent had pulled the line in, with the bird attached. It was flapping around on the transom. I tried to maneuver to get a photo (unsuccessfully) and, with another flap of its wings, the bird was free and in the water. As it flew off, I noticed a larger-than-our-lure sized fish still on the transom. "Did we catch something?" I asked Joe. "No - the fish regurgitated that. It's a flying fish."
The pontoons have come alive with the first arrivals of ARC + 2017. Participants are looking forward to catching up with their newfound friends. Keep up to date with this years rally via the YB fleet tracker and Facebook page.