Background
It was over three and a half years ago that I called my father (BNM) from Mexico and launched the idea of a father/son Atlantic crossing. It's fair to say that his initial reaction was not that positive ("Too old, too far, boat's too small...etc, etc"). However, he called back an hour and a half later with a decision and a commitment and then called a couple of weeks later saying: "I've ordered the bigger boat..." and thus started this adventure...
BNM has been preparing the boat for this trip since our decision to move forward. The boat was built by NorthShore in 2000, displayed at the London Boat Show in January 2001 and launched in February. The boat has been specifically equipped for this type of crossing from major decisions like the generator, sea fresh unit (fresh water maker) to details like cup holders and grab handles. It's fair to say that almost no detail has been overlooked. "Seatern" represents a beautiful job by the folks at NorthShore, and a culmination of all my father's learning from the previous two boats he has owned and sailed since he retired 12 years ago.
Which left us with the question of crew. I was able to make the commitment three years ago and despite having moved to Dallas in the meantime have received great support from Bain to be able to take the six weeks. Throughout 2000 we organized the rest of the team. My father invited two of his most stalwart sailing friends from multiple previous trips, Brian Throup and Bob Peters and I invited Luis Pereida, a friend from Madrid.
To give a sense of the mix: Brian retired 13 years ago from Unilever, having worked for them in UK and Nigeria. His lives with his wife Anne near Chichester and has two grown-up children and one grandchild . Brian has been a Yachtmaster instructor and is the most experienced sailor in the team. Bob retired from the Royal Air Force 9 years ago having moved with the military all over the world (he and his wife Mary have lived in 30 homes since they got married). Currently (who knows for how long? Bob claims permanently...) they live in Cheltenham and have four grown-up children and five grandchildren (four at the beginning of the trip!). Luis runs his family real estate company in Madrid where he lives with his wife Mercedes and his two daughters. It's probably fair to say that Luis had done a little less sailing than the rest of us with total time on board a sailing boat measured in hours and days rather than months and years. Nevertheless, he committed to the trip and has not wavered.
So we were all ready. Seatern was fully prepared with and eager crew. My father spent 2001 sailing the boat from UK to Tenerife (in 5 trips of eleven and a half weeks total). We all met in Tenerife on 26th February with the expected departure two days later. My mother and sister joined us in Tenerife to say "bon voyage". This website was set up really with only one objective in mind: to be able to let our families know on a daily basis where we were and that we were okay. It has however developed into something a little different - we hope you enjoy...
1) Concluding Thoughts 2) Lots of data 3) Crew Reflections....
**Background** **Crew**
**Check Out the Pictures** **Actual Progress Map**
**Guestbook - Please sign in.** **Check Out the Schedule**