52 Super Series fleet head home
After what has proven to be the biggest challenge in logistics since the start of the 52 Super Series, the TP52 fleet is back at sea, heading ‘home’ to the Mediterranean from Cape Town aboard the 120m LOA general cargo ship, BBC Dolphin.
With the fleet released after being trapped by the COVID-19 lockdown in the South African city, the race boats and all the ancillary containers and support RIBs are expected to arrive to Valencia by around the 16th May.
Key permissions were sought and granted to allow selected 52 Super Series team personnel and their agents to work on the race boats that were locked down within the V&A Waterfront dock area. With a huge backlog of goods and cargo waiting to be moved, the danger was in the TP52s being caught up in the rush to clear the backlog when the port is due to re-open on 1st May.
So advance permission was granted to allow the cargo ship to come into the V&A Waterfront dock area to allow the nine race boats and teams’ equipment to be loaded onto the ship. Previously no movement of cargo has been permitted within the dock area, so by allowing the ship to come to its cargo has meant the yachts could be loaded by a fixed, dockside crane. Normally there are up to 30 personnel involved in the ship loading, this time there have been a dozen, working in three shifts of four.
“To be honest there has been a great team spirit. We have had no issues; everyone has stepped up to the plate and we have got on with the job. Honestly, it’s been one of the swiftest, most efficient loadings we’ve ever done – hats off to the local crane driver. To be fair, as shore crew on the 52 Super Series we are so lucky in the jobs we do, we have really had a chance to reflect on the living conditions we see around here, so I would say here we have been ‘just doing our jobs’. We have had great cooperation from the staff at the V&A Waterfront,” explains Quantum Racing’s Brendan Darrer, who has been with the TP52 fleet since the very early years. “Mike Giles in particular has been a giant. His contacts have been invaluable, and his approach has ensured we have been able to get the necessary permits to work and finally to customs clearances to move our valuable cargo.”
