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The crew gathered on the River Hamble, where we sadly learn that one of our number, Larry,would not be sailing due to work commitments with British Airways.
Chris, Andy(The Owner) and myself had arrived the previous afternoon and spent time fitting new safety equipment including lifebuoys, with drogues and checking that all the electronic equipment was in good working order.
Once all the crew were aboard on Friday,and provisions were loaded, We checked out our Man Overboard Recovery equipment and then we set off under power for Cowes. During the crossing we had a couple of Man Overboard practices. Another important task was to set up both the Yachts EPIRB and our individual AIS beacons together with ensuring that Troubadour was constantly transmitting it AIS position.
One final peace of Equipment was a race tracking beacon which would allow race followers and family to see how well we were doing.
Arriving in Cowes we moored in the haven below the RORC clubhouse where we had had a send off reception overlooking the start line, before heading off for dinner in a nearby restaurant.
The weather forecast for the start was light south easterlies, which would mean a downwind start to the Needles.
David Ogden, Trimmer & Helm
Fastnet 2019 Finisher - Troubadour
