As we approach the Christmas holidays and make all the preparations needed for the festive season, give a thought for all our captains and crew who will be at sea away from their families. It looks like we will have 5 yachts at sea on Christmas Day, all on the Atlantic.

I personally have spent several Christmas’s at sea and have some great memories of those occasions. The first time was a delivery from Europe from to Antigua. As much as we tried it became clear that we just weren’t going to make it on time for Christmas day and resigned ourselves that at least we will be there for New Year. I remember being called up in the early hours of Christmas morning to take the helm whilst the mate went forward to change the headsail (no furling system). Still half asleep and bleary eyed I remember looking forward to see a large man dressed in boots and red foul weather gear struggling back along the deck carrying a large sail bag over his shoulder – very surreal.

On another occasion on delivery to Annapolis we knew before departure that Christmas would be at sea and we were able to do a little planning. It was going to be a cold and miserable trip at that time of year.  I was given three packages by my sister; each carefully labelled when to open. The first package was opened on the 1^st December and was an advent calendar. The second package opened Christmas Eve contained Christmas decorations. The third package was carefully wrapped and was going to be the only present that we had. The forethought my sister had could not have been better. It contained a multi pack of Mars bars. After nearly three weeks at sea in the cold North Atlantic it was such a treat that was enjoyed by all on board.

Do you have stories of Christmas at sea? Let us know and maybe we will publish them.