An international fleet of yachts taking part in the 32nd edition of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) has arrived in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, having made the crossing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Crews from 40 nations around the globe comprise the combined fleet of 257 yachts, having taken one of two routes, either direct to Saint Lucia, or on ARC+ Cape Verdes a route which includes a stopover in Mindelo, breaking the passage into two stages.
This year’s fleet is particularly diverse with boats from 30 o 95ft setting off on the same transatlantic course, including 213 monohulls, 42 catamarans and 2 trimarans. The sailors themselves are just as varied, aged from 3 years old to over 80. For some, this year’s ARC is their first time crossing oceans, but there are also plenty of familiar faces who have sailed with the rally during its 32 year history. Some participants are now coming full circle, following in their parents, or grandparents footsteps by sailing in the ARC with their own families, and in some cases on board the same boats.
Most ARC boats will spend the winter enjoy cruising in the Caribbean. Others will be joining charter fleets and some campaigning in the Caribbean race circuit of regattas until April. A group of around 35 boats will be setting out from Saint Lucia in January, heading to Colombia then Panama on the first stages of World Cruising Clubs circumnavigation rally, World ARC.
CSSN wishes all ARC and ARC+ participants safe and secure cruising, and we are glad to share our many resources with this well informed group. It’s easy to Know Before You Go! Visit and bookmark www.safetyandsecuritynet.org and if you have not already, subscribe to our very popular ALERTS!