World ARC is a round-the-world adventure that takes place over 15 months and covers 26,000 nautical miles. Saint Lucia serves as one of two starting points (Australia being the other) for the 2023 voyage, which began on January 7.

Days prior, on Jan. 5, ARC participants were treated to a farewell party at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort. The IGY Rodney Bay Marina was integral in hosting the crews. IGY General Manager, Mr. Sean Devaux, addressed the participants at the event.

“The World ARC has really become family. Some of you have been here from the ARC rally, so it’s been four to five weeks preparing your boats and we are privileged to help you prepare for this journey around the world for the next 15 months,” he said.

Also present at the farewell event was the Chairman of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Mr. Thaddeus Antoine. He thanked the partners who made the participants’ stay memorable.

“It’s been excellent having you on Island and I wish you the very best,” Mr. Antoine said. “I want to thank the IGY Rodney Bay Marina for accommodating you and for providing the world class facilities that we have in Saint Lucia to facilitate such accommodations; and to Events Saint Lucia who is really the producer of all the social events you’ve been having, I want to thank them immensely.”

Meanwhile, the Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Hon. Dr Ernest Hilaire, encouraged the crews as they prepared for the 15-month journey.

“It is exciting just to receive briefings on where you will be going and what you will be doing, so I know you will have a fantastic time. But throughout the journey, remember Saint Lucia. If you have any difficult nights or difficult days, just remember that you will be coming back to Saint Lucia and I’m sure it will be a lot easier for you,” he said.

The World ARC fleet sailed from Saint Lucia on Jan. 7, enroute to San Blas, Panama, and the Galapagos Islands.