News Articles

The Final Blog

2009-10-07T13:02:09+00:00

Cath Vise, Skipper throughout the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain voyage, sums up her amazing experience in her final blog! How can I sum up the last six months…. probably the best would be to do the same as we have done on each of the legs with the crew - best bits, worst bits and funniest bits. Let’s get the worst bits over with first - seasick crew! There is nothing quite like being seasick and having been there myself I could fully empathise with the crew. I always felt really bad for crew, knowing that they had already been through more than I could ever imagine in the fight against cancer, to come away on a trip that is supposed to be fun and then end up seasick is horrible… the worst places being rather long passages out of the River Humber (wind against tide) and I must say especially coming out of the Bristol Channel. We had a small window where the winds were going NW, and we had to take it. Unfortunately it was still pretty rough after a few days of big storms and a couple of the crew ended up being seasick for about 24hrs - this was also one of our longest passages with nowhere to stop, but, Land’s End appeared, the wind died down and the next day Frank cooked the best breakfast ever which hopefully made it all worth while to our birthday boy. My personal worst moment was the morning we went through Tower Bridge- after minimal sleep from sailing from Dover overnight and up the Thames, we ended up with water in the fuel, resulting in Tracey the legend engineer helping us out. However, I had to do a simple filter change in the morning, and through my own fault (lack of engineering experience) I couldn’t get the engine to start again… not a good position to be in when we where about to stop the city so we could pass through Tower Bridge! But, after stressing about it for a bit, I called my friend Haig who talked me through the procedure to find where my problem was (taking in air somewhere). I finally got it sorted and the engine started only minutes before Ellen and Emily arrived…. that was probably one of my happiest moments too! Also a great sense of achievement and confidence boost to have sorted the problem. The funniest would be the general craic - as my Irish friends would say. We had so many giggles on board it’s hard to distinguish. Competitive Irish snap and UNO, some of the descriptions that came up in Articulate (Ben Murphy’s Bangkok comes to mind), and the creation of poems and raps. We had a hilarious team debrief in my ‘Captain’s Cabin’ - and anyone who has been on Scarlet knows that this consisted of a shoebox twin cabin that Karen and I shared, but somehow we managed to fit both Jo and Simon in after an overnight sail to Abersoch from Holyhead…. Some of the comedians spring to mind - Paul Gavin and Vicky Stokes where hilarious all week- Paul was Vicky’s ‘slave’, the same as the Jake Jones - Olly Rofix duo- always up to mischief! Gerrard MacAuley was also brilliant at keeping us giggling. Generally, just people being themselves and having a good time. The best bits - without a doubt meeting and making friends with some of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of sailing with! We would become like a family on board, everyone would settle in within a day or so and by the end of the week it was banter all round. It still amazes me that we had 17 fantastic legs with no serious issues and big bonding as a group of friends. There were many great moments, a walk along the sea shore that became an adventure in long grass, seeing our young crew stand up and give their presentations to hospitals with huge smiles, confidence and giggles, coming up on deck and seeing the boys dancing on the back of the boat, I could go on for days remembering all the fantastic times we’ve had. Exploring the British coastline with all her wonders - beautiful cliff faces, huge mountains up in Scotland, some of the most spectacular scenery I have every sailed in. We were also incredibly lucky that we could spend a night on anchor off the Farne Islands amongst thousands of breeding birds and seals. The ocean wildlife was just incredible, we managed to see everything I was hoping to - dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals and basking sharks (incredible!). The bird life was spectacular, especially seeing all the puffins on the Farne Islands and sailing past Bass Rock, which from a distance looks like it’s covered in snow, then when you get close you see that it’s all birds - thousands of gannets nesting on the rock. The sailing - fantastic sailing. We had great days in perfect sailing conditions and Scarlet just loved it. There is nothing better than the moment you switch off the engines and the boat takes off as her sails power up, and to be able to share that moment with so many people this year and for them to all enjoy it so much was incredible. Scarlet is a fantastic boat and an absolute pleasure to sail. We couldn’t have had a better boat for the voyage, so again, a huge thanks goes to the Applebey family for letting us use her. Ellen’s talks were incredible - she has such an amazing life and is so inspirational. My best moments where when we could get our crew to the talks, they would all come back so inspired and amazed by what an incredible person Ellen really is, yet so down to earth when it comes to spending time with young people. Our team - to Frank, Jo S, Tracy, Joey B and Emma - it has been the most incredible year and fantastic working with you all. To Simon - you where there for us the whole way round, even in the early hours of the morning always with a big smile. Karen, my first mate who became an incredible friend. We spent a lot of time together, lived in a very small space and never a single argument - you absolute legend! Our homecoming was just incredible - many of our crew came down to the Solent for the weekend to welcome us home and got on board red jet 4 to escort us from the boat show over to Cowes. Solent Rib Charters had 9 boats out carrying friends and family and the weather was just perfect. Having Ellen, Ross and Jason join us on board for the final sail to Cowes was really special, then getting to UKSA and catching up with so many people was brilliant. They all played a part in completing the voyage so successfully, and of course big celebrations where in order. However, it was also just a little bit sad, as it was…...... the end. Cath will soon be embarking on another challenge, along with Karen Fraser the voyage First Mate. They have set themselves the challenge to cycle the length of the country, and climb three peaks along the way to raise money for the Ellen MacArthur Trust. There will be more about this challenge coming soon, but to support them during their next adventure, please visit their just giving page here

Emotional homecoming to end the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain voyage

2009-09-14T12:19:51+00:00

On Saturday, Scarlet Oyster returned home to a fantastic welcome On Saturday, almost four and a half months after the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain voyage of discovery set off from Cowes, Scarlet Oyster and her crew returned to UKSA to an emotional and fantastic welcome from many of the young people who have participated in this inspirational and incredible journey, their families, friends and supporters of the Trust. This special day began in Southampton, where almost 300 people arrived from all over the country to help escort Scarlet across the Solent. Red Funnel generously donated a Red Jet for the occasion where all on board were allowed outside on deck to wave and cheer the crew as they followed Scarlet on her final leg home. Solent RIB Charter also generously provided a fleet of their RIB’s for the event and were joined by several other crafts belonging to friends of the Trust to make this a truly spectacular occasion. Scarlet Oyster had spent the previous day at the PSP Southampton Boat Show and left her mooring there surrounded by the sound of cheers and foghorns. On board Scarlet, as well as the crew of Abi, Barnaby, Claire, Rhiannon, Tom and of course Skipper Cath Vise, and Mate Karen Fraser who had been onboard since Torquay, was our Patron Dame Ellen MacArthur, EMT Ambassador Dan Monk, and Ross and Jason Applebey, the sons of Gordon Applebey who had helped conceive the idea of the voyage and donated the boat for this before he sadly passed away in Feb 08. Since the voyage began on 3 May a total of 74 young people in recovery from cancer have sailed onboard the 48ft yacht ‘Scarlet Oyster’ across 17 legs, completing a total of 2,500 miles. Scarlet has visited over 50 ports and anchorages on the way, 750 tweets and 86 blogs have been posted by the various crews, over 2,000 cups of tea have been made in the galley, 12,000 miles have been traveled by the shore-team, and over £18,000 has been raised through ‘Buy a Mile’, which will allow an extra 36 young people to experience sailing with the Trust in the future. The sun didn’t stop shining as Scarlet made her way up the river and across the Solent, to cross the finish line at the Royal Yacht Squadron and officially end this unbelievable voyage at 14:15 on Saturday, 132 days after it began. The boat then sailed to UKSA, with Ellen lighting two flares, standing on the bow surrounded by the crew and recreating the iconic image from her record-breaking round the world journey. Once moored at UKSA, the party began, with emotional speeches from all involved and a big group photo of all the young people who made this voyage such fun from start to finish. Ellen had this to say when she arrived back: “The voyage has been everything we ever dreamt of. It was always about what the young people would get out of it and it’s been a great experience for everyone without exception. To be part of the team to make it happen has been an absolute joy and everyone at the Ellen MacArthur Trust has felt privileged to be part of it and above all to spend time with these inspirational young people.“ Please click here to watch a video, which gives a short snapshot of the experiences had by all on this epic journey Round Britain. The Trust would like to thank all the young people and their families who came down to make this such a magical day for everyone, and also say a big thanks to Skipper Cath, Mate Karen and Voyage Coordinator Simon for ensuring everyone who boarded Scarlet was safe and happy throughout their trip, and had everything they needed. Frank Fletcher, Chief Executive of the Ellen MacArthur Trust said: “The only word to describe the Voyage is’ incredible’. It has long been an ambition of the Trust to complete this project and we couldn’t have done so without the support of our Voyage partners, Skandia, BT and the Energy Saving Trust. To have raised enough to allow another 36 young people to go sailing with the Trust is phenomenal and a huge thank you must go to everyone who has supported us along the way. ” The voyage wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of so many individuals and groups that it would be impossible to list them all here right now, but suffice to say everyone here would like to thank Skandia, BT and the Energy Saving Trust again for everything they have done, UKSA, SYS, Volvo, Crusader Sails, Musto and Geovoile, as well as the countless marina and harbour staff around the country, supporters who have helped with onshore events on the way, everyone who came to the boat to say hi, bring cakes, or help out and all those who have supported our ‘Buy a Mile. You can still donate to the Trust and support our work in the future by clicking the “buy a Mile’ button above, or buy a ticket to Ellen’s last talk which will be at Gurnard Pines Leisure Centre, Cowes, IOW tomorrow (Tuesday 15 September at 18:30-19:30).

Emotional homecoming

2009-09-12T14:30:05+00:00

132 days after having set sail from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage returned to their original starting post on Saturday 132 days after having set sail from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage returned to their original starting post today, completing their circumnavigation of Britain and bringing to an end the experience of a lifetime for the young crew members. The first Voyage of its kind to be completed around Britain was welcomed home by a host of friends, family and supporters. Since the Voyage began on 3rd May a total of 74 young people in recovery from cancer across 17 legs have sailed onboard the 48 ft yacht ‘Scarlet Oyster’ completing a total of 2,500 miles. Dame Ellen MacArthur was onboard with five of the young people to bring Scarlet home to Cowes. Ellen said; “The voyage has been everything we ever dreamt of. It was always about what the young people would get out of it and it’s been a great experience for everyone without exception. To be part of the team to make it happen has been an absolute joy and everyone at the Ellen MacArthur Trust has felt privileged to be part of it and above all to spend time with these inspirational young people.“ The final leg of the Voyage left Torquay on Monday 7th September and arrived into the PSP Southampton boat show on Friday 11th September where the crew were welcomed by round the world yachtswoman Dee Caffari, and quadriplegic sailors Geoff Holt and Hilary Lister who have all completed their own round Britain Voyages. This morning (12th September) Scarlet Oyster left Southampton for the final journey to Cowes, crossing the Royal Yacht Squadron line to mark the Voyage’s completion at 2.15pm. Tom Battram (14, from Shanklin on the Isle of Wight) was onboard for the final leg and summed up what the experience has meant for him; “The Ellen MacArthur Trust has changed my life. It’s not just about sailing, it’s about bonding with other people. I used to be very shy but now I’m quite outgoing so it’s done the world of good for me.” Since the Voyage began; • Over 50 ports and anchorages have been visited • 750 tweets and 86 blogs have been posted by the crew • Over 2,000 cups of tea have been made onboard • 12,000 miles have been travelled by the shore support team • £20,000 has been raised through ‘Buy a mile’ which will allow an extra 40 young people in recovery from cancer to experience sailing with the Trust

Hero’s welcome for The Ellen MacArthur Trust at PSP Southampton Boat Show

2009-09-11T10:15:36+00:00

Scarlet Oyster arrived into the PSP Southampton Boat Show. The Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage of Discovery arrived into the PSP Southampton Boat Show to a hero’s welcome from some of Britain’s top record breaking sailors. Waiting to catch Scarlet Oyster’s lines were three sailors who all hold sailing around Britain close to their heart: round the world yachtswoman Dee Caffari, and quadriplegic sailors Geoff Holt and Hilary Lister were all on the dock to welcome the Voyage to Southampton on the final leg of their inspirational journey around Britain. As Scarlet Oyster arrived Dame Ellen MacArthur was onboard with five of the 74 young people who have taken part in the Voyage. Dee Caffari broke the record for sailing round Britain and Ireland with her all female crew in June in just six days, 11 hours, 30 minutes and 53 seconds. Also there to greet the young sailors was Geoff Holt, who in 2007 became the first disabled person in history to sail solo around Britain circumnavigating the country in 109 days. Quadriplegic Hilary Lister finished her own Round Britain challenge on 31 August to become the first disabled woman to sail round Britain. Hilary sailed clockwise around Britain, the opposite way to the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage. Starting from Dover on 21st May, it took Hilary 102 days and she passed Scarlet Oyster on the Caledonian Canal near Fort William in July when she took time out from her Voyage to have tea with the Ellen MacArthur Trust crew. Onboard with Ellen were five young people in recovery from cancer who had made the journey from Torquay on the final leg of the Voyage. Ellen of course became the youngest person to sail solo around Britain in 2001 at just 18 years old in her 21ft yacht ‘Iduna’. Ellen said; “Everywhere we have visited on our Round Britain Voyage has given us a fantastic welcome and Southampton has been no exception. For the young people to hand Scarlet’s lines to such admired and awe-inspiring sailors as Dee, Geoff and Hilary was really special and adds yet another unforgettable moment on this amazing journey. The finish is in sight now and I’m so looking forward to crossing the line tomorrow and completing what has been a long held ambition for the Trust.” Tomorrow (Saturday 12 September) Scarlet Oyster will complete her circumnavigation of Britain when she returns to Cowes and in doing so will join an esteemed list of record breaking round Britain Voyages. During the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage of Discovery 74 young people in recovery from cancer across 17 legs, have sailed the 48 foot yacht Scarlet Oyster over 2000 nautical miles around Britain on a four month voyage stopping at 17 major ports including; Brighton, Dover, London, Ipswich, Hull, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow, Belfast, Douglas, Liverpool, Cardiff, Torquay, Southampton and Cowes. Throughout the voyage the young people have been returning to the paediatric oncology wards of the hospitals they were treated in to talk to those currently undergoing treatment for cancer about their experience. Onboard Scarlet Oyster were: • Dame Ellen MacArthur • Tom Battram (14, from Shanklin, Isle of Wight) • Abi Nickless (16, from Alresford, Hampshire) • Rhiannon Bull (16, from Gainsborough, Lincs) • Claire Amaladoss (16, from Bognor Regis) • Barnaby Daines (17, from Great Yeldham, Essex) • Dan Monk, Ellen MacArthur Trust Ambassador (23, from Basildon, Essex)

Scarlet Oyster to Sail into PSP Boat Show

2009-09-10T14:34:06+00:00

Scarlet Oyster will sail into Southampton Boat Show at 10.15am (Berth 525). Come and watch her arrive and say hello!

Scarlet is Solent Bound

2009-09-09T06:30:39+00:00

Today Scarlet will leave Poole and head for Yarmouth on the Isle Of Wight. Today Scarlet will leave Poole and head for Yarmouth on the Isle Of Wight. After 4 months and 5 days Scarlet and her crew of leg 16 will be back in the Solent this afternoon. Don’t forget you can come and see Scarlet Oyster and meet her crew at the boat show on Friday. (Marine berth 525) In other news the Buy a Mile boat has now rounded Lands End and is just 150 miles short of reaching its 20,000 pound target….....

Scarlet in Weymouth

2009-09-08T08:54:16+00:00

Yesterday Scarlet and her crew set off on the final leg of her Round Britain Voyage. Yesterday Scarlet and her crew set off on the final leg of her Round Britain Voyage. First port of call on Leg 16 was Weymouth, which will be hosting the sailing events for the 21012 Olympics and is also the training base for the Skandia Team GBR sailors. Today the boat is heading to Poole and then it will be back in the Solent. More to follow soon…....

Finish in sight for Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage

2009-09-04T15:04:28+00:00

Scarlet Oyster is about to start her final leg from Torquay. After almost four months at sea and a journey of 2,000 nautical miles around Britain the finish is in sight for the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage of Discovery. The inspirational voyage began in Cowes on 3rd May and has visited 17 major ports around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Brighton, Dover, London, Ipswich, Hull, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow, Belfast, Douglas, Liverpool, Cardiff and Torquay. Each leg of the Voyage has been crewed by young people in recovery from cancer and leukaemia, giving over 70 individuals the opportunity to experience sailing and rebuild their confidence. The final leg of the voyage will see the yacht ‘Scarlet Oyster’ leave from Torquay on 06 September and arrive at the PSP Southampton Boat Show at 10.00am on Friday 11 September with Trust Patron Dame Ellen MacArthur onboard. The public will be able to visit ‘Scarlet Oyster’ at the boat show, where she will be on display on berth 525 until Saturday morning (12th September). On Saturday 12th September Scarlet will return home to Cowes, concluding this once in a lifetime journey and realising the Trust’s aspiration to sail around Britain with a crew of young people in recovery from cancer and leukaemia with one aim; to ‘inspire young peoples’ cancer recovery through sailing’. Buy a Mile  ‘Scarlet Oyster’ has not been alone on her voyage, she has been accompanied by our virtual ‘Buy a Mile’ boat which has been raising money to fund future Ellen MacArthur Trust projects. Every generous donation of £10 to buy a mile has moved the boat forward and is now just over 155 miles short of her final destination. We need your help to raise the final £1,550 and make the homecoming extra special. Show your support by donating online using our ‘Buy a Mile’ button at the top of this page. In conjunction with the voyage Ellen MacArthur has travelled the country to deliver her first public talks since her record breaking voyage around the world more than four years ago. At each inspirational talk Ellen has spoken about her life, round-the-world voyages, the work of the Ellen MacArthur Trust and her plans for the future. The final chance to attend a talk will take place in Cowes on Tuesday 15th September 2009. Tickets are available for purchase from the ‘Audience with Ellen’ section on this site, and cost just £10 for adults and £5 for children and concessions. 100% of the ticket proceeds will go directly to the Ellen MacArthur Trust to support future projects. Many thanks in advance for your continued support and in helping to make this important project a success and in raising valuable funds for the Ellen MacArthur Trust.  

Scarlet departs Falmouth

2009-09-01T10:25:45+00:00

This morning Scarlet headed out of Falmouth bound for Dartmouth. This morning Scarlet headed out of Falmouth bound for Dartmouth. With the weather forecast not looking so good for later on this afternoon the crew decided a 7am start was best in order to beat the weather! At 11:30 Scarlet was just South of Plymouth making great progress. More to follow soon….......

Scarlet in Falmouth

2009-08-30T11:14:40+00:00

Scarlet is tied up in Falmouth, after a 170 mile passage from Cardiff After a grueling 170 mile passage the crew arrived in Falmouth at 04.00 this morning. The passage down the Bristol channel was a little bumpy but two playful dolphins off Lundy Island improved morale. at 20.30 Scarlet passed land end and turned for the last time and began her final stretch up the West Coast.