The Carib Canoe Project Leg 1: Dominica to St. Lucia

Day 1, May 13

All crew of the Gli Gli and support ship Carmela had a successful crossing of the Dominica-Martinique Channel under strong wind (20-25 knots). It was a long day and strenuous start for the Gli Gli - which sailed reefed (partially rolled up) for most of the way - causing us to slip down below Martinique a few miles. We were fortunate enough to get a tow by a fisherman into St. Pierre before dark, where we awaited the Carmela.

Day 2, May 14

We spent the day relaxing and sorting out the stores on Carmela.

Day 3, May 15

Our day began gently sailing down the leeward side of Martinique and stopping to help fishermen haul their nets to get us some fish. The winds picked up as we entered Fort de France Harbour and put Gli Gli through her first and hopefully last capsize experience.

No damage was done and nothing lost except Jacob Frederick's glasses. As the Carmela was within sight and the seas were clam, it turned out to be an extremely useful exercise in rescue and recovery - both of which were accomplished within half an hour, allowing us to row safely into Fort de France habour. The rest of the day was spent selling craft work and provisioning the ships.

Day 4, May 16

Although sailing was smooth across the bay of Fort de France, coming around the point of Dimond Rock in the Gli Gli we found the head winds too much to cope with and gladly took a tow from the Carmela up to the bay of St. Ann.

After a peaceful sunset sail down to St. Luce, the generous Cargan family and members of the Association Gommier A Cours welcomed us. Some of the team slept in St. Luce.

Day 5, May 17

The morning was spent relaxing and sorting out stores on board the Carmela. Frederick paid a visit to some petroglyphs in St. Luce. At midday the whole team took a bus to Anse Arlet on the west coast to watch the finish of the first Gommier race of the banana cup. It was a great sight to see gommiers sailing in under enormous sails - with all the 10 crew linking out poles to stabilise the narrow canoes. The Carib canoe gliders were much inspired by the racing canoes.

We sold crafts and played drums on the beach until dusk. The next morning we successfully sold crafts around the boats.

Day 6, May 18

The day was spent on board the Carmela - some of us went fishing on the over-fished reef. The winds were high and the forecast bad - threatening the possibility of crossing to St. Lucia.

Day 7, May 19

Good winds - from the north east - confirmed the decision to cross the channel to St. Lucia. Gli Gli left at around 8 am and made good speed even under the lateen sail (triangular sail). Swells from the east made the trip a bit rolley as a squall mid-channel sped up the crossing greatly and caused no trouble. We reached St. Lucia at about 12:30 pm to a warm welcome from the St. Lucia National Trust at Pigeon Island.

Patricia Charles and Victor Eudoxie had arranged an amazing reception with T.V. cameras, live radio broadcasts, lunch and showers.