PER MARE, PER TERRAM...

 We have received the following request from a Lieutenant Wilson, Royal Marines.

'In conjunction with my colleague, Major Gill Duncan RM, I am putting together a Royal Navy/Royal Marine entry into the Three Peaks Yacht Race, in aid of Hasler Company Royal Marines. Hasler Cmpy, as you may well be aware, exists to support and rehabilitate injured Royal Marines, most of whom have been injured in Afghanistan. Whilst our original proposal had been to have one injured marine running, and another sailing, recent medical research has ruled out amputees from taking place in endurance events due to the risk of damage to their healthy limbs. We therefore intend to compete as a fundraiser, but with one or two injured sailors onboard and with Hasler cmpy providing a shoreside support team.

'There is significant media interest in our proposal, and if you look at the emails attached below you will see an outline of the proposal.

'We do however have a problem - a lack of a suitable yacht. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines do not have racing yachts, due to a lack of funds, and what yachts are available to us (cruising boats) are based on the South Coast and as serving personnel we cannot afford the time to make the lengthy delivery back from Fort William. Instead we are looking for a large sportsboat to use that can be put on a trailer- this would have the added advantage of being light enough to row in calm conditions, and hopefully to offer planing performance downwind as this should be a predominantly downwind race. Hence my enquiry to Royal Thames....

'We would have funds available for charter, though ideally we would like to find someone with a boat and a business to form a partnership that would generate from the positive publicity we would be able to offer.'

So...

... if any Member has, or knows of someone who has, a suitable boat and who would like either to take part in, or to assist the Marines to take part in this year's Three Peaks Yacht Race, please contact the Sailing Office right away.