ARC Flotilla was a low key affair

Anniversaries are special and, with this being the 30th anniversary of Saint Lucia as the final stop for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, one would have thought the relevant authorities would go all out to make this year’s ARC flotilla a memorable one. Didn’t happen! Only 29 boats of every size and description took part in the flotilla last Sunday. It coincided with the official start time of the ARC in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria where boats set off across the Atlantic to the finish line, just outside IGY Rodney Bay Marina, some 2,700 nautical miles away. At 12 noon the flotilla left Castries Harbour and set sail . . . well, not everyone,  as there were also speed boats making their way to Rodney Bay. There was no prize for the best decorated boat but, if there had been, Janna Bout and crew looked pretty in pink while drawing attention to breast cancer awareness. 

General Manager of IGY Rodney Bay Marina, Shawn Devaux was on board Reel Extreme with several guests including the media. Other media personnel from the Mirror, Star Publishing Company and DBS were on board a vessel courtesy of The Moorings, with Alex Bousquet of DBS at the helm.

Devaux gave his take on this year’s flotilla following while docked at the marina: “I think today was an exceptional day, very special for us; Saint Lucia and IGY partnering with the Yachting Association, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and the St Lucia Yacht Club to make this happen. It is a pivotal moment for us as an island. 

We now commemorate the start of the ARC and we know they are on their way, and hopefully welcome them here in 14 days.”

Devaux tried his best to put a positive spin on things but, this being the 30th anniversary of the ARC finishing in Saint Lucia, you would have thought that the flotilla would have been extra special and celebrated like no other. Truth be told, the recognition and celebration was extremely low key.

When I mentioned my disappointment with this year’s flotilla Devaux again tried putting things in a positive light: “You know, considering the flotilla was initially not going to happen until two weeks ago, when we came together to say that we should make it happen because it’s that’s pivotal and we understood how important it was; considering that we had 29 boats—is what I counted—

I think it was successful and that’s important. The guys who came out today understood the importance of the flotilla, in our relationship with the ARC, the ARC’s relationship with Saint Lucia, and we are now in the 30th year so we must be doing something right.”

When I asked if there was any particular reason why this year’s flotilla was not going to happen he replied: “I won’t really comment on that now but we at IGY, we understood the importance of it. I think those who are normally in charge of it didn’t realize the importance of it and I must say kudos for opening up their arms to realize the importance of it. In private discussions they did realize the importance of the flotilla and very quickly they supported us. The Yachting Association, The St Lucia Yacht Club, Events Company of St Lucia came on board and we made it happen.”

Devaux spoke proudly of six youths from Saint Lucia who are part of a Youth Team comprising a crew of 12, saying, “It gives me great pleasure at IGY, and our comrades here, to be part of such a great event.” 300 boats are making their way here from Las Palmas. On their arrival, at whatever time they make landfall, every boat will be greeted at the dock by personnel from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and World Cruising Club bearing a welcome rum punch and cold drinks. 

There is a full schedule of events in Rodney Bay for all ARC crews and their friends and family, culminating in the ARC prize-giving on December 21.