POSITION: Crew needed urgently for U.S. boat competing in Ocean Globe Race
COMPANY: Skeleton Crew Adventures
Attention! Crew needed urgently for U.S. boat competing in Ocean Globe Race.
Who we are:
Our skipper, Taylor, is an experienced and passionate sailor who, in 2018, rounded Cape Horn on a quest to raise awareness about the epidemic of veteran suicide in the United States. His dedication to this cause has been a driving force behind our participation in this race, which we believe can serve as a powerful platform to advocate for this important mission.
Despite having the smallest boat in the Ocean Globe Race, 1981 Nautor Swan 51′, we are proud to say that we have the biggest hearts and an unshakable determination to continue.
Currently, our crew consists entirely of US and British veterans who have displayed unwavering commitment and camaraderie throughout the race. However, a recent setback has compelled us to reach out for assistance outside of the veteran community. We had a qualified watch leader designated for Leg 2, but due to an injury, they will be unable to join us in Cape Town.
If we do not find a qualified individual to lead a watch on Leg 2, Taylor has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Ocean Globe Race in Cape Town. We have secured watch leaders for Legs 3 and 4, but we are in urgent need of someone with the skills and experience to step in for Leg 2.
Leg 1 & Cape Town ETA:
Our journey in Leg 1 has not been without its challenges. We experienced a significant setback with a crack in our boom early in the race, which necessitated a three-day stop in Cascais, Portugal for repairs. This, in part, has led to our current position, trailing behind the other boats.
Furthermore, our choice to take an eastern route, east of the rhumb line, has affected the accuracy of our ETA on the YB tracker. Based on their current location, we anticipate their arrival in Cape Town between November 3rd and 5th.
The Leg 2 start date is set for November 5th, however, in adherence to OGR’s NOR, boats are required to be in port for a minimum of 4 days. In light of the challenging journey ahead in the Southern Ocean, Taylor has decided that we will be in port for no less than 7 days, allowing the crew to rest and recover. Therefore, Godspeed is looking at a possible start date of November 11th or 12th.
Logistics/Accommodations:
I ask that the oncoming crew member to be in Cape Town by November 3rd to make registration with OGR before they get into the thick of start date. We have arranged a crew house where each member holds an individual responsibility of $350 USD, and our non-profit organization will work to cover flights to Cape Town and from Auckland. The details of this support will be tailored according to the individual’s location and needs.
OGR Crew Requirements:
In accordance with the OGR NOR, there are several crew requirements that must be met, including those related to experience and qualifications. While we will work diligently to adhere to these requirements, I will lean on OGR for understanding of the urgency of our situation and ask them to be open to waiving certain requirements (example: cardiac stress tests, dental exam, etc..). This can be discussed further with potential candidates.
As the team manager, my current travel itinerary is scheduled from October 23rd to November 7th. However, I am actively exploring options to adjust my flights to the period between October 27th and November 11th to better accommodate the needs of our crew.
Auckland Arrival:
The OGR Auckland schedule indicates boat arrivals between December 14 and 23, with the start of OGR Leg 3 from Auckland scheduled for January 14. Given our estimated late arrival in Cape Town, it is likely that we will not reach Auckland until the latter part of the schedule, potentially around December 29th. The sea, however, is unpredictable, and schedules are subject to change.
We are deeply grateful for your attention to this matter and any support or recommendations you can provide. We believe that with your assistance, we can overcome this challenge and continue our mission to raise awareness about veteran suicide.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly at +1 2106434028 on WhatsApp or regular cellular service if you are in the States. Your help is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to the possibility of welcoming a new crew member to Godspeed. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Samantha Grieger
OGR Team Manager, Godspeed
+1 210 643 4028
Posted October 17th, 2023
