DJANGO: Our first storm

Wind, waves and sea sickness

My Mum and Dad visit us every few months. This year we planned a nice trip to Sicily. Their first time on a sailing boat. We’re off on holiday again and this time we get to share our new boat with family. What could go wrong?

Departure

I’ve been watching the forecast for a week now — there’s some weather coming and it’s threatening to disrupt our crossing to Sicily. Our original plan was to depart on Saturday, bunker down in Sicily - while it blows - and then return to Malta in fair weather for some local cruising.

As I watch the weather forecast and it moves forward to Friday evening. I make a call to bring our crossing forward and decide on an early Friday morning crossing. I pick my parents up at the airport and we make a dash for the boat. It’s Thursday afternoon and again we opt for an overnight at St Pauls Island ready for an early crossing.

I leave everyone asleep and set off at 04:00. The weather still looks good to cross; moreover the water is glassed off everywhere.

Sails are up, and the crew start to wake. We enjoy sharing the experience and get excited about the Sicilian cusine and forthcoming break.

Two hours in

Slowly but surely the weather turns. About two hours in I check the weather and see a front coming our way. The local storm is passing closer to Malta than Sicily so in-theory the more miles we make the more we out run the weather.

We’re now beating into 30 kts of wind with 3m swell on the beam. I reef the sails and keep helming while the rest of the crew prepare life jackets, get sea sick and very, very scared.

It’s not great but it’s not that bad, however - as the only sailor and an inexperienced one - my mind starts to sympathise with the crew and I question myself all the way. Should I be doing this, what about that, should I have turned back, do I have too much sail out. I keep telling myself we are fine and reassure the crew and that the weather will pass soon.

Asia, Maya and my Mum are fine. Everyone else is scared. It’s a horrible feeling. I just need another sailor with me to reassure me were ok.

10 hours later

The weather was relentless. The conditions didn’t improve the entire journey. The weather band moved with us the entire crossing. I am exhausted and elated we are finally there. The boat did well. The noises were incredible but she crashed through those waves with grace and I’m now confident she can take a beating.

We’re finally in the marina enjoying a well earned beer. Phew. Wow, what a journey.

Dad: “Sick, Cold, Wet (What’s to like).

Amber: “The worst hornet of my life!! Scared and sick - never want to go through that again!”

The holiday

Sicilian food is outstanding. We enjoy a family break and spend time at the local beach clubs while we wait for the wind to die down. Evening walks and great laughs all around. We eventually cross back to Malta and have a nice clam sail back. Just what my Dad ordered. Back in Gozo we enjoy a couple of days at anchor before retiring to the marina and take my parents back to the airport. Apart from the hectic start it ended up the perfect holiday. At least we have a story to tell!

Lessons learned

Weather planning: As I was recalling this story to a friend of mine (a seasoned skipper), he shared this advice: “If you’re doubting it or even thinking about it too much; don’t go.” He is right of course, my parents were here for a week, I wanted them to experience a crossing to Sicily and I ultimately risked the approaching weather. In normal circumstances we’d have chosen another week but guests and plans overtook me. Never again.

Lifejackets: It took me longer than it should to have to called for life jackets for everyone. It was rough and we should have put them on sooner. A few of us didn’t even put one on. Next time I will call that earlier.

Sails: I ended up putting the head sail away and stayed with the main (reefed). I know now I should have dropped the main and gone with the head sail. In fact, as a result of this experience I moved the topping lift line back to the cockpit instead of the mast foot to make dropping the sail easier in rough weather.

Crew talk: At one point in the crossing I pull my dad to one side and ask if he’s ok. He’s not. He’s worried about the family and is asking about the boat. He was a fantastic windsurfer but has never sailed. I reassure him that even if we get knocked down the boat will right herself and explain the keels function. I’m surprised how his mood changes and am only sorry I hadn’t taken the time to go through this with him before. Note to self, crew talk for new and inexperienced crew will now cover the keel.