Sailing Voyage Report
Organisation:
Atlantis Leisure Oban
Participant’s name:
Katie Galbraith
Sailing Trust: TSYT or JST
Voyage reference no:
Voyage destination:
Voyage date and duration:
RIO DE JENIRO
10th May - 23rd May 2014
This report should be completed on return from your voyage. Please include a few photos of the
voyage if possible. Please note that the information provided below and any included photos may be
used on the Rank Foundation and/or Rank Fellowship websites.
What you could include in your report:

What were your initial aims and expectations on this voyage?
I'm not even sure if I had any aims for the voyage – My mum had passed away at an early age
at the end of last year and I had been feeling really low since and I just thought this would be
a good reason to get away from “normal life” for a while and just get some new experiences. I
had no idea what to expect, I assumed we would be living almost on top of each other, I was
pretty worried about the whole sailing thing and wasn't sure I would manage all the tasks
that would be asked of me.

Did the voyage meet these expectations?
I can't say this or emphasise this enough – I LOVED IT !!!!! The living conditions were
amazing (especially in comparison to what I had pictured) The work was interesting and
explained brilliantly so I did everything asked. But most of all the people were amazing, I
learned so much from the rest of the crew / team mates / wathc and the permanent crew
were so enthusiastic and helpful.

What skills have you developed – taken initiative, confidence building, new skills learnt.
I certainly learned a lot about myself whilst on the Lord Nelson. I built my confidence back
up. I never thought in a million years I would climb to such a height as the masts, but I did!!!
I'm not sure it's classed as a skill but I feel I developed more of an understanding of the
different abilities people may have and I've seen light on this situation. I used to feel sorry for
Please complete all questions and return, with any relevant photos, to Lola Butterfield on
[email protected]
Sailing Voyage Report
people with disabilities and saw them as “less abled”. This is totally wrong and untrue. They
just have a different way of life. Oh, and I didn't mention, rope ties! New skill!

Describe a typical day – meals, duties, downtime etc.
The day depended on which “watch” you were going to be on. Whether you got your wake up
call just before 4am to start your 4 – 8 am watch. If this was the case, you were straight up to
the upper mess to get yourself a coffee or hot chocolate (or concoction of the 2) and then up
the helm to hear your duties for the night. This watch was amazing as you always had an
amazing sunrise and you were finished your days work in time for breakfast :-) Otherwise,
you got your morning walk up call around 7 am ready for breakfast at 7.30 am. Breakf ast was
scrummy! Always a huge choice, catering for veggies aswel. We had bacon, sausage, eggs,
tomatoes, toast, tea, coffee, juice. Ready for the day ahead. Lots of time aswel to shower and
change and chat to the rest of the crew before our watch meeting where our leader (alan)
would brief us on the days events or anything else we needed to know. 10Am, HAPPY HOUR!
I was so impressed at how this was dealt with. 1 hour, everybody on the boat was given a job,
taking turn about each day as to whether you were upstairs or down. The jobs ranged from
sweeping/ mopping, to cleaning the toilets to scrubbing the deck. I had imagined the day
would be filled with these kind of jobs, but it's all very fair. Then smoko! - The chef/cook
would always have some yummy biscuits or cakes for us now, along with our coffee. Then the
afternoon (if we werent on watch) was our own. A few days me and my buddy Ben would go
climbing, along with some of the friends we had made. But most days, we went to the
“beach” - that's starboard or port side beach :-) We would grab a good book and sit on the
deck catching the sun. My friend Beth sometimes had trouble keeping her temperature
under control so we would move around the decking accordingly. Then dinner time again,
food again was unbelievably good – not what I expected at all! Something hearty for dinner
and something sweet for dessert. Most of the crew would be in bed for about 8pm, but I
enjoyed sitting out on deck and watch the moon rise (didn't even know this was such a
thing!) and seeing a sky full of stars. My favourite watch was always the 8pm-12pm watch.
We got to see the moon rise and Steve the captain would give us some education on the stars
and planets. I found it all really interesting. Ryan (would of the trainees) was learning all this
aswel and relaying it back to us. They were the “permanent crew” I found most helpful and
made the experience really interesting.
This was just a typical day. However some days we were allowed ashore.
Please complete all questions and return, with any relevant photos, to Lola Butterfield on
[email protected]
Sailing Voyage Report
Finally bedtime for me. Always around 10pm. I loved my bed. On the first night, when we
were at shore I found it really uncomfy, squeeking all the time – as soon as we set sail, it was
like being rocked to sleep everynight. I loved it!

Highlight of the voyage. - JUST ONE??!
How can I chose. Firstly I just want to say, this was the best experience of my life. I just can't
put it into words. I'd never been sailing before and now I'm seriously considering it as a
career path. One highlight was our first night at sea. I was on mess duty along with 3 others.
In a previous life I was a waitress, so this came naturally to me. I loved it. However, the 4 of
us soon became me on my own. The other 3 and most of the crew were over the edge being
seasick. Dave the chef kept telling me I was a little angel as I kept the food going out, cleared
up, washed up. I loved my night on mess duty, felt at home....and almost felt a sense of
achievement for not being sick.
Another highlight was seeing my friend Beth, who is in a wheelchair being hoisted up to the
top of the mast. I had a little cry to myself, and this was the moment I realised what life was
really about. And that I had to stop being so upset about myself.
And my 3rd big highlight was one of the last mornings when our watch was the 4am watch,
and we set every single sail on board. What a feeling!!! Allan seemed really impressed with
us too.

Interaction with other crew members.
The crew on board surprised me a little. It was very mixed, from Annabelle who was a 20
year old receptionist, to Beth who was a law student – wheelchair bound, to a couple of 30
year old professionals, to Kay – my 80 year old Australian retired doctor. But it worked! I
loved every single person on board and feel like I made some friends, even family for life. I
enjoyed hearing their stories, hearing their experiences. Taught me more in 2 weeks than I
could have in a lifetime. Oh and I can't forget Terry from Liverpool who took on the role of
being my dad for 2 weeks!
Beth definitely made the biggest impact on me. She was paralised at the age of 17, from the
chest down after a car accident. Before this, she was a very active climber, who played
various sports. Since the crash, she had been in hospital for over a year and rehabilitation.
Please complete all questions and return, with any relevant photos, to Lola Butterfield on
[email protected]
Sailing Voyage Report
This never stopped her though, she went on to do an English degree, and starts a law degree
this year. She has an amazing partner Dan, who also had an amazing story. She plays
wheelchair rugby and as I said before, still manages to climb with the help of the lord nelson.
Everyone looked out for each other on board. Teamwork was the aim of the game
throughout. The people made the trip. I could write you an essay on every single person on
board before I could remember what I actually did on board.
I can't thank you (rank foundation, Atlantis leisure and JST) enough for sending me for this 2
week voyage with the Lord Nelson.
Continue on next sheet if necessary.
Participant’s name:
Please complete all questions and return, with any relevant photos, to Lola Butterfield on
[email protected]
Sailing Voyage Report
Please complete all questions and return, with any relevant photos, to Lola Butterfield on
[email protected]
Sailing Voyage Report
Please complete all questions and return, with any relevant photos, to Lola Butterfield on
[email protected]