On our way to the Scilly Islands, our sailboat is diverted by the military

Arthur crosses the Channel
Arthur crosses the Channel

Arthur left the roadstead of Brest to reach the Scilly archipelago. On the way, a fleet of warships asked us to divert. A small interlude in this navigation marked by sea sickness.

In our boat, the watch is a bit special. The captain is in charge of the night shift while the crewwoman is in charge of the evening and morning shifts. We have chosen this distribution so that at least one adult is fit during the day to manage our adorable but demanding children

Les plats cuisinés d'avance
Pre-cooked meals

Seasickness attacks

Unfortunately, in the morning, the situation was different: a nasty, messy swell had risen. This combined with an upwind point of sail where the boat is constantly hitting, is the perfect recipe for a good sea-sickness. If Guillaume is not sensitive to it, it is not the case for the rest of the crew.

The bucket sweep has begun! How can you tell how long the time is under these conditions? Luckily we have a ready-made olive cake for lunch, although no one has much of an appetite. Cooking is out of the question anyway.

Les enfants ont le mal de mer
The children are seasick

The suspended time is finally broken by the VHF which starts to sputter in English. A glance at the AIS allows us to see half a dozen warships and we don't like that very much.

An unexpected change of route

Suddenly, the war fleet addressed us in English on the VHF and ordered us to change course and not to approach them. We have the impression that they are approaching us at high speed rather than the other way around. We have to obey and we change course to let them pass.

Changement de cap dans la trace d'Arthur
Change of course in the trail of Arthur

A moment later, we have huge military ships above and below us, with helicopters buzzing around. We are a bit tense, feeling really small next to all these people. But when they have passed, the squadron thanks us on the VHF for our cooperation and wishes us a good afternoon!

An eventful arrival in Scilly

Unfortunately, as we were dropping the anchor, we realized that the chain had collapsed on itself in the anchor locker and got stuck. We had to try four times to get it unstuck and anchor properly. It is almost midnight when we turn off the engine, completely rinsed.

L'équipage hisse le pavillon anglais
The crew raises the English flag
Report
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Arthur: a DALU 47 prepared to go sailing in the ice with the whales!
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Is it a good idea to renovate your boat while living on board with your family?
3 First navigation after a long break: all the mistakes we made
First navigation after a long break: all the mistakes we made
4 Gulf of Morbihan, sunny stopover in Le Bono for a little visit to Moitessier !
Gulf of Morbihan, sunny stopover in Le Bono for a little visit to Moitessier !
5 Off-season sailing pleasures in the islands of Southern Brittany
Off-season sailing pleasures in the islands of Southern Brittany
6 Stopover in Concarneau : our sailboat almost drowns in fresh water !
Stopover in Concarneau : our sailboat almost drowns in fresh water !
7 On our way to Sein, we discover and report to the CROSS an object drifting
On our way to Sein, we discover and report to the CROSS an object drifting
8 School by boat : The administration catches up with us for a forced stopover in Morgat
School by boat : The administration catches up with us for a forced stopover in Morgat
9 Stopover in Brest : Unexpected encounter and delicate maneuver in the castle port
Stopover in Brest : Unexpected encounter and delicate maneuver in the castle port
10 Sailing for more than 24 hours on a sailboat, the essential preparations
Sailing for more than 24 hours on a sailboat, the essential preparations
11 On our way to the Scilly Islands, our sailboat is diverted by the military
On our way to the Scilly Islands, our sailboat is diverted by the military
12 Scilly in the colors of the Queen of England's jubilee for the stopover of Arthur
Scilly in the colors of the Queen of England's jubilee for the stopover of Arthur
13 Scilly-Ireland crossing, a perfect navigation in the company of dolphins
Scilly-Ireland crossing, a perfect navigation in the company of dolphins
14 A trip up the east coast of Ireland in a few anchorages and visits
A trip up the east coast of Ireland in a few anchorages and visits
15 Sailing from Gigha to Jura: everything ends well, despite a recalcitrant windlass!
Sailing from Gigha to Jura: everything ends well, despite a recalcitrant windlass!
16 Recalcitrant windlass: a delicate repair to be done at anchor
Recalcitrant windlass: a delicate repair to be done at anchor
17 A boating accident that ends with a helicopter rescue
A boating accident that ends with a helicopter rescue
18 A typical Scottish navigation: wind shifts and very disturbed weather!
A typical Scottish navigation: wind shifts and very disturbed weather!
19 Can meetings on a sailboat create lasting friendships?
Can meetings on a sailboat create lasting friendships?
20 Wintering on board: where to find the right stopover to spend the winter?
Wintering on board: where to find the right stopover to spend the winter?
21 Petole off the coast of Ireland: Arthur praises slow sailing
Petole off the coast of Ireland: Arthur praises slow sailing
22 North of Ireland: a current that can prove trapping...
North of Ireland: a current that can prove trapping...
23 Back to school on a boat: the ups and downs of home schooling
Back to school on a boat: the ups and downs of home schooling
24 One year of life aboard Arthur: first assessment of life on a sailboat as a family
One year of life aboard Arthur: first assessment of life on a sailboat as a family
25 6 months of sailing: Material assessment of a season on a boat
6 months of sailing: Material assessment of a season on a boat
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