HBIV set off on 26th April from Antigua via Barbuda, for Long Island, and specifically Pilot’s Point Marina. Captain Chris Rundlett is delivering with two others and are making steady progress. In the meantime the shoreside organisation continues. Any race like the Newport Bermuda requires huge logistic support and planning. Examples of what need to be done are listed below:
- all crew have to arrange flight to start and from finish – as we’re all working this makes it quite difficult
- we have to ensure crew are properly trained in offshore survival, first aid etc (this all has to be validated by proper authorities – and as most of us did the last 2 day course some years ago we have to repeat it)
- the boat has to be delivered to start and from finish
- all safety checks have to be completed (includes things like expired flares, expired fire extinguishers – all need replacing)
- sails have to be checked
- rig check
- new mainsail ordered (previous has done 5000 + miles)
- new mainsail has to be delivered across Atlantic
- ORR Rating for US Racing has to be measured for
- boat has to be stripped for overhangs (this means a pre-race prep trip for 5 of us)
- all crew have to get ISAF classification
- all crew have to submit data to Race Organisers
- berthing to be arranged at preparation marina
- scrub to be arranged pre-race
- berthing at start marina
- berthing at finish marina
- insurance for race and delivery trips (over and above usual)
- entry fees for boat and crew
- …..and a bit more
But – we’re getting there (or Heartbeat IV is anyway). She can be located at http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0DUK0fD232zkExgndx9d4cm6zLk1SOXdx – which is quite a nifty locator.