After the Hamble party and parade of sail before HRH Prince Michael of Kent, the OGA Round Britain fleet set sail from the Solent on 7 May, 2013. They were heading for Plymouth, where there’s another party, hosted by the Mayflower Marina. In this update we include a collection of photos showing off the fleet from Sue Lewis on ‘Bonify’.
After the party at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club on Saturday night and parade of sail watched by HRH Prince Michael of Kent on Sunday morning, the other Solent, East Coast and Dutch members of the fleet left the Hamble on Sunday afternoon amid great festivity. ‘Annabel J’ sailed through the night to reach Dartmouth yesterday, ‘Bonify’ reached Salcombe, working hard in fog all the way from Southampton Water, warning a new crew member due to meet her in Plymouth to bring warm boots! ‘Toucando’ also motor-sailed in foggy sunshine along the Devon coast to reach Weymouth harbour on Monday. We hear from ‘Vlieter’ that she’s safely arrived in Plymouth today.
BBC Spotlight South West caught up with the OGA fleet when they were in Plymouth.
The three boats heading westwards earlier in the week are already in the Mayflower Marina, awaiting the Plymouth event on Wednesday. ‘Witch’ took the opportunity of a short trip round to Salcombe and back, having met up with new crew in Plymouth on Saturday. ‘Mary Ritchie’ has been exploring the River Yealm and ‘Bonita’ sailed from Torquay yesterday, starting out in three hours of fog, with a bright sunny interlude and then very dense fog as she entered the Plymouth breakwater.