Mervyn will compete singlehanded in the Original Singlehanded Transatlantic Race, OSTAR, in the family yacht Arethusa of Yealm. The race starts on 10th May from Plymouth UK and ends at Newport, Rhode Island, US. Mervyn aims to take approximately 24-25 days to race the 3000nm. Much of the race will be hard work and against the prevailing winds and currents.
Having lost Tamarind whilst competing in the OSTAR 2017, we hope that there will be no hurricane force winds this time and that Mervyn returns safely with Arethusa in early to mid-July.
This is Mervyn's 6th OSTAR and he doesn't intend to compete in another. OSTAR 2020 is running this year to celebrate it's 60th Anniversary and Mayflower 400. On this special occasion, Mervyn particularly wants to raise funds for Horizons (Plymouth) which is a small Plymouth based charity.
Horizons encourages 8-19 year youngsters from the most disadvantaged areas of Plymouth to get out on the water under the guidance of Horizons' RYA Senior Instructors; about 1200 youngsters each year. Many of these children and young people have disabilities and learning difficulties, so Horizons tailors activities to make them as inclusive as possible for those with complex or profound disabilities.
Horizons (Plymouth) owns and maintains a fleet of sailing dinghies, safety boats and a specially adapted work boat which can take wheelchair bound sailors. Horizons provides all the sailing equipment the young sailors needs, including windproof/waterproof clothing, buoyancy aid, footwear and wetsuits. This charity has run for 29 years and receives no statutory funding, so is entirely dependent on donations and grant funding.
Mervyn is aged 76 and is extremely keen to help as many young, disadvantaged children as possible to have the chance to experience the life-enhancing pleasure of being afloat in a vessel under sail or power. Any support you can provide would be much appreciated by him and, more particularly, the children.
