PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – as at 18 Sep 15
Royal Artillery circumnavigates the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate 300th anniversary
Supported by:
The Expedition Aim:
To conduct a major offshore sailing expedition, including two trans-Atlantic passages, providing
deep water experience and challenging adventurous training to 150 Royal Artillery Regular and
Reserve Soldiers in order to develop individuals, unit teams, Gunner sailing expertise and Army
Offshore sailing capability.
1.
Exercise ATLANTIC UBIQUE. Marking the tercentenary of the Royal Regiment, Exercise
ATLANTIC UBIQUE challenges soldiers and officers of the Royal Regiment of Artillery to sail
around the Atlantic Ocean on the Royal Artillery Yacht club’s flagship, St Barbara. Serving in
extreme environments and working in small teams, over 150 Regular and Reserve soldiers will
make up the crews that complete each leg of the 11 month long expedition. Launching from
Gosport on 20 September 2015, St Barbara will return in August 2016 after HM Queen Elizabeth’s
inspection of the Royal Regiment in it’s 300th year.
2.
This is the largest and most ambitious Corps expedition in a generation and a great
opportunity for the many disciplines of the Royal Artillery, both Regular and Reserve, to come
together and enjoy the share the endeavour and memory of trans-Atlantic sailing.
3.
A challenge for all ranks.
The expedition offers Gunners of all ranks with no sailing experience the opportunity to experience
some incredibly diverse conditions. The expedition is funded by a grant from the Adventurous
Training Group (Army), and generously supported by Arun Sails and Inzpire.
General the Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, former Chief of the Defence Staff:
“This is an exciting and challenging adventurous sailing expedition. It will develop the teamwork
and leadership skills of all personnel who participate. Whether sailing across the Atlantic Ocean or
cruising in the Canaries, Caribbean or along the eastern seaboard of the USA and Canada, it is a
once in a lifetime sailing opportunity. Exercise ATLANTIC UBIQUE will be a chance for seasoned
sailors and complete novices to experience the demands and extraordinary rewards of sailing in
spectacular conditions”.
Lt Jennifer Price, 16 Regt RA, who will be sailing on the Grenada to St Lucia leg:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for all regular and reserve members of the Artillery to participate in a
once-in-a-lifetime expedition. The whole Regiment, from junior Gunners to Lt Colonels are coming
together to challenge themselves, see new places, and uphold the global spirit of the Royal
Artillery”.
4.
Launch event. There will be a launch event in Premier Marina’s Camper & Nicholson Yard
at the Boat House Café, in Gosport, on 20th September. This is an event to which all press have
an open invite.
5.
Media point of contact. Lieutenant Alex Bird RA. Telephone: 01243 38 8551. Email: 12RA-
9-TCETp@mod.uk
Follow the expedition through regular updates on the following:
- Facebook – Atlantic Ubique
- Twitter – @AtlanticUbique
- Blog - www.rayc.org.uk/cms/index.php/ex-au-blog/
Further enquiries can be directed to: ExAtlanticUbique@rayc.org.uk
EXERCISE ATLANTIC UBIQUE NOTES
The route for Ex ATLANTIC UBIQUE
Exercise Patron and Admiral of the Royal Artillery Yacht Club
General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO
General David Richards, Baron Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE
DSO retired in 2013 as Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head
of the British Armed Forces.
Richards served in the Far East, Germany and Northern Ireland with the
Royal Artillery before commanding forces in East Timor and most notably
Sierra Leone, where his action without official sanctioning protected
Freetown from rebel attacks during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Richards
has also served with NATO as a major general, and he commanded
International Security Assistance Force elements in Southern Afghanistan
as a lieutenant general between 2006 and 2008.
Richards became Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces of the British Army in 2008 and held this role
until 2009 when he was appointed Chief of the General Staff, the head of the British Army. He was
appointed as Chief of the Defence Staff the following year. He was succeeded by General Sir
Nicholas Houghton on 18 July 2013.
In 2014, Richards was created a Life Peer taking the title Baron Richards of Herstmonceux. He sits
in the House of Lords as a crossbencher.
The yacht St Barbara V, a Rustler 42
The Rustler 42 is a classic looking yacht with moderate height to the topsides, a sweet sheerline,
pleasing overhangs and a long, wide and low cabin top. The Rustler 42 adds a performance
element to other essential blue water attributes like directional stability, stiffness and good load
carrying ability. Below the waterline she looks conservative, with a deep canoe body, long fin keel
and a skeg hung rudder.
St Barbara, the patron St of the Royal Artillery
Saint Barbara was an early Christian saint and martyr. Daughter of a rich pagan, she was
murdered by her father for her faith. Legend holds he was struck by a lightning bolt after executing
his daughter. Today, the lightning bolt is synonymous with the Gunners and St Barbara remains
patron saint of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.