Fleet of 2016 update

by Jennifer Handley on 21 Sep 2016 The Fleet of 2016 has scattered in all directions and the last few Leavers have now received their Bon Voyage packages and are all set for the offshore adventures that await. Congratulations to the skippers and crews of Bloom, Mayaluga, Muskoka, Anduril, Kadens and Harlequin for reaching California! And also to Nightide, a member of the 2015 Fleet, that first went to Alaska and back before heading south this summer.

Sheldon and Grace Muirhead (ACappella 1858) were last sighted in Comox, making plans for the winter. They’ve also decided to head north and explore more of the BC Coast before looking southwards for blue waters. The crew of Lemanee set out with high hopes, but wisely turned back when a medical condition presented itself. This winter Dennis and Kandyce plan to find some warm beaches somewhere, hopefully do some diving, before putting Lemanee back in the water and heading south next summer.

Thanks to Don Hutchison, the Leaver Package Committee rep, who presented one of the last packages to Alex Brydon (Ila May) and entrusted him with another package for Stephen Harding (Southern Cross III), already in California. And then there’s Golden Hind IV, an Albin Vega 27, the smallest vessel in the Fleet this year. Skippered by James Howard (his first mate is a four-legged guy named Duke), Campbell and I caught up with James in late August to give him his Leaver’s package and wish him “fair winds”. Golden Hind IV is now underway, heading towards Neah Bay.

Thanks to the Fleet for finding time and energy to update your blogs and vblogs for the rest of us to enjoy! We look forward to staying in touch as your explorations and adventures continue!

This article has been provided courtesy of the Bluewater Cruising Association.