Our 2002 Hallberg Rassy 53. We called her SOARSA (Gaelic for freedom) to signify the incredibly lucky period of our life we have entered, - freedom from corporate responsibilities and an ability to take on an adventure. SAORSA has already done at least two circumnavigations, she has a cutter rig, 145hp volvo penta engine, generator, and an extensive navigation and coms kit. She has looked after us across the Atlantic and now serves as our home cruising the Caribbean.I 

After 35 years in Air Traffic Control I could see there was no better time than now to embark on an adventure. Since my late 20s I wanted to do the Atlantic Rally of Cruisers and now that goal is complete and I feel incredibly lucky to have the chance to cruise the East Coast of the USA and now to be back in the Caribbean  before setting of on The World ARC to New Zealand.  Iam really grateful to my three kids now 23,25,27 for been so supportive and to a heap of folk who have helped me on my way., and to Chris who joined me for the first six months of my adventure.  I reckon I am a very fortunate person indeed.

John and I met when sailing up the East Coast of America. After 35 years in the marine engineering business John set sail in his boat - JACK a Hanse 53, to enjoy some long term cruising over two years ago. As a very experience sailor and lifeboat volunteer with a competitive spirit our well matched boats enjoyed a few lighthearted races with the Ocean Cruising club and then 1600 miles racing our boats to Antigua.  John sailed his boat back 4000nm to the uk and  joined Saorsa in July 2020.    

Nicky joined the boat in Maine and plans to be crew for our World Arc experience through to Fiji.  Nicky started her career in the UK with BA ground management, before moving to Canada some 26 years ago working in finance. She now lives in Whistler, and has spent several years sailing in beautiful places on a wide variety of yachts. In the winter she ski’s ( very well), and had the pleasure of helping out with the Whistler Winter Olympics.

Our down to earth lass from Hull. After 20 years with the Hampshire fire service as videographer and photographer Karen was planning to join the World ARC in 2018 from St Lucia but she caught Legionnaires disease on the plane over and spent months recovering.  Great for Saorsa! – with a heap of practical sailing experience Saorsa now has our very own upbeat facebook blogger and capable photo expert.  Karen has completed several legs of the world ARC previously but - not this one. Karen has a son Billy, 24, and is positively encouraged to enjoy her adventures  by mum (Tommy) along with many friends.

​With strong Cornish roots, Lesley has spent most of her working life in Germany with the forces as a midwife. Her love of learning has resulted in a doctorate, and spending many hours teaching Midwifery and now embracing sailing.  Since leaving work in June 2019 Lesley hasn’t stopped – Not least successfully completing a 10-week RYA yacht masters course in the Med and an Atlantic crossing and she now joins Saorsa for more adventure. Lesley has a son – Sam 25, she loves living in Germany and still has a large loving family in Cornwall that is watching her every step.

A lovely couple from London, Craig a filmmaker and Ella  a product design manager, put work on hold a month to learn to sail in the Caribbean on Saorsa. Joining me in Antigua, by St Marteen they were getting a real taste of boat life and by Guadeloupe had the sailing nailed. They took Soarsa out inot the big Atlantic rollers and  in to St Lucia themselves and are now most certainly very competent crew. 

We met at the bar after the ARC and hatched a plan to sail the East coast of USA. Maggie joined me Nassau and we took the USA by storm. A fabulous trip from Charleston to Nova Scotia and most places in between!. After a fine career as a buyer for Top Man, Maggie has an action packed lifestyle, is an accomplished sailor, loves shooting, point to point judging and hopes soon to be the owner of her own country pub.

A born and bread Sydney Aussie, Brent was living and working in Australia, working in the tech and finance industry when he met my daughter Emma. Having always had a keen interest in travel, exploring Europe, SE Asia, India & Africa, getting the opportunity to go sailing around the Caribbean for a few months and start and exciting new journey with Emma seemed to good to pass up. Brent was a trooper  putting up with the mother and daughter on a small boat. Emma and Brent made a fabulous and very capable sailing team and it was wonderful to have such a fabulous young man on board, ( as well some extra muscle!) 

Emma is always on the hunt for trying something new, fulfilling and challenging. After ringing Emma to see what her response might be if mum packed in work and sailed from Scotland to New Zealand - her response was immediate and fabulous:"great idea, you are not doing the Atlantic without me". A fantastic adventure unfolded, I was so proud to cross the finish line with my very gutsy daughter and then to spend five wonderful months sailing the Caribbiean, Cuba and Bahamas together