2009 ARC
By Barry Pickthall
Twelve Oyster crews took off from Las Palmas in November on the annual
migratory Atlantic Rally for Cruisers bound for a Christmas cruise in the
Caribbean. For two of the crews, Stephen Hyde’s Oyster 56 A Lady and the
newly launched Oyster 82 Rivendell, this was the start of an even wider
adventure. A Lady is taking part in the two-year World ARC World starting from
St Lucia on January 6, and Rivendell’s English/Dutch crew took off on a
three-year global adventure. Katharsis, the newly launched Oyster 72 owned
by Mariusz Koper was also using the ARC as a shakedown, this time for an
equally adventurous cruise to the Antarctic.
Leaving the carnival atmosphere of the time I get back at Christmas.”
Las Palmas with the sound of a jazz He added with typical Irish optimism.
band still ringing in their ears. The David Tydeman, Oyster Marine’s CEO,
comradeship that had built up within also escaped the monsoon conditions
“
Oyster Marine has been a
key supporter of the Rally
the 12-strong Oyster fleet during back home by making a fleeting visit
since the first organised
their stay in the Canaries, was set to to Las Palmas to meet the crews and
continue with each crew keeping in host a cocktail party on the terrace of
crossing back in 1986 and
touch on the SSB radio and internet the Hotel Santa Catalina. Andrew
Oyster yachts are one of
during the 2,700 mile crossing to Bishop, the ARC organiser reminded “
Rodney Bay, St Lucia. the crews, most of whom were taking
the most popular marques
part in this Atlantic passage for the
All were well prepared, thanks in part first time, that Oyster Marine has been
in the ARC fleet.
to Eddie Scougall, Will White, John a key supporter of the Rally since the
Johnson and George McCormick, the first organised crossing back in 1986
four-man Oyster service team who and that Oysters remain one of the
worked to ensure that every Oyster most popular marques. “They are
yacht set out in fine fettle. They just a little bigger now than they
couldn’t do much to help those with were 24 years ago.” He observed.
problems back home however. John In addition to the many fun prizes
O’Conner, a crewmember on the Irish available for every one of the 210
yacht A Lady, learned while washing entries to win, David presented
the fruit and vegetables on the Andrew Bishop with a trophy for
dockside that his cycle company in the first Oyster on handicap and
Cork had succumbed to the flooding magnums of champagne for the first
that hit Ireland and the North East of in each of the two cruising classes to
England. “After looking at the pictures reach Rodney Bay.
of the carnage, my first thought was
to go home, but then I realised that Several crews took the opportunity to
my team is just as capable of leave their mark on the harbour wall in
drawing up an inventory of the time-honoured ARC fashion by
damage, and decided to stay.” Said painting a mural. A seagull soared
John, confident that he can keep in above Gwylan’s name, whilst horses
touch via the Internet. “Hopefully, surged dramatically through the surf in
they will have everything sorted by search of Guinness for the Rivendell >
www.oystermarine.com 43
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