Thursday May 9, dozens of people boarded the “Phoenix”, docked in Bayonne, for an extraordinary adventure. The road map: connect the Edmond-Foy quay to Pasaia, during the day, sailing in the old-fashioned way, under full sail on this brig built in 1929. That morning, at 9 a.m., a thick fog surrounded the boat. The starting conditions do not seem ideal.
The passengers wait wisely for instructions from the captain, Jean-Marc Le Forestier. They embark on a crossing of almost 10 hours, destination: the Pasaia Maritime Festival (read elsewhere), in Spain…
Thursday May 9, dozens of people boarded the “Phoenix”, docked in Bayonne, for an extraordinary adventure. The road map: connect the Edmond-Foy quay to Pasaia, during the day, sailing in the old-fashioned way, under full sail on this brig built in 1929. That morning, at 9 a.m., a thick fog surrounded the boat. The starting conditions do not seem ideal.
The passengers wait wisely for instructions from the captain, Jean-Marc Le Forestier. They embark on a crossing of almost 10 hours, destination: the Pasaia Maritime Festival (read elsewhere), in Spain. Around them, the crew is busy. “We are going to ask you to all move to port,” shouts one of the sailors. They finish removing the buoys and ropes before departure. A shrill noise rang out.
“Someone turned the mooring line in a way that was not legal. With the tension, we could no longer undo it. We had to cut the rope to free ourselves and be able to leave,” mutters bosun Jonas Nuriec. The small neophyte group is reassured: shipwreck is not on the agenda.
A farewell a goodbye
9:30 a.m.: On the way! The ship moves away from the dock. Near the Avenue de l’Adour, a sound rises in the distance: it is “Hermione”. He greets the departure of the “Phoenix” on board which five members of his crew have taken place, including Alice Villette, mediation coordinator. “I’m considering becoming a gabière. I’m going to take part in the maneuvers, this will allow me to see if I like it. »
The passage from the Adour to the ocean is not without difficulty. A few waves almost knocked some people off their feet, a woman exclaimed: “Even with alcohol, you don’t pitch as much”.
The “Phoenix” sails out to sea, along the coast, in the Bay of Biscay. In the distance, Bayonne disappears, La Barre in Anglet emerges. The weather clears and the wind timidly surrounds the ship. It’s time to turn off the engine and hoist the sails, before embarking on ocean navigation.
“It’s very sporty”
10:30 a.m. The crew gets down to the very physical job of installing the almost 370 m² of square sails. A hell of a job! The brick type rigging requires a lot of handling, to which the most courageous are invited. Harnesses and carabiners riveted to their waists, they begin a dizzying ascent along the ropes to reach the top of the masts, 35 meters away.
I didn’t think it was that complicated. It’s beautiful to see, even if it’s very sporty for them. I am impressed
The acrobatics continue on the deck where the work of hoisting the sails requires the help of three people, on each side of the boat. Catherine Herbert, a passenger, was surprised: “I didn’t think it was so complicated. It’s beautiful to see, even if it’s very sporty for them. I am impressed. »
” Welcome to Spain ! »
The “Phoenix” entered Spanish waters at 1:35 p.m., right on cue. Broadly speaking, the precision of the timetable is due to the message sent by everyone’s telephone operators: “Welcome to Spain! »
While the youngest ones occupy themselves by playing “hide and seek” in the cabin, the older ones dance and sing on the deck. “There is a good atmosphere here, a magnificent setting. I am not disappointed to have come,” exclaims Alain Galigazon, an Angloy upholsterer.
At 6 p.m., the boat enters the port of Pasaia, preceded by other festival ships such as “La Recouvrance”, which the captain salutes with cannons. One of them stops at the “Phoenix”. “How does it feel to be the most beautiful?” », shouts a man on board.
“All to starboard”
Thousands of people gathered on both sides of the cliffs, over several kilometers, to get the perfect shot of all the ships. The passengers respond with grand gestures to the applause of the crowd, in an almost magical setting.
Then suddenly, screams ring out. A sailboat is about to collide with the “Phoenix”. By an emergency maneuver, carried out brilliantly, the tragedy was narrowly avoided. The anecdote will be perfect for the next family dinner. After a final “All to starboard”, the ship docks at 7:30 p.m. at the San Pedro quay where it can be visited all weekend, giving travelers time to enjoy, a little longer, the magic of the moment.
