Why we're doing the ARC

Ali Wood meets four boat crews at different stages in their lives as they get ready to embark on a transatlantic voyage

LITTLE ISLAND – THE NEWLYWEDS

“When we got the news from home it put everything in perspective”

Three days to go until the start of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers and the smallest boat in the fleet, the 34ft Moody Little Island, is the busiest. Up the mast is a rigger, while in the cabin a safety check is in progress.

Martin Platts passes down buckets with newly attached lanyards whilst his wife Catherine ticks off a checklist with safety officer, Vicky. They’ve a lot to be dealing with right now. Earlier in the week they received the devastating news that Catherine’s sister has cancer, so her mother Mandy – their third crewmember – will be flying home.

“We were meant to do the ARC together, but I couldn’t do it, not now,” Mandy says, tearfully. “I’ve bought them an autopilot instead. It’s a Christmas and birthday present in one.”

Catherine and Martin hand-steered all the way from the Isle of Wight, so an autopilot is a luxury for the experienced sailors. Even so, their insurers, Admiral Marine, were concerned about the crew situation. “We don’t normally insure double-handers for the crossing,” says Robert Holbrook. “If anything goes wrong – gear failure or illness – you end up in a single-handed situation where the chance of an insurance claim is high.”

However, Robert and colleague Richard Chitty were reassured after visiting the couple. “Catherine had spent six weeks with a rigger getting the boat ready, and that gave us peace of mind. It’s their safety we were concerned about, but we’re confident they’ll get across.”

There are shoes lined on the pontoon (Catherine’s terrified of bringing cockroach eggs onboard), and the young couple, married in July this year, are putting on a brave face.