MCDOA members meet in Antigua

23 Apr 2023 - MCDOA member Keith Broughton is in Antigua awaiting the arrival of the ocean racing yacht KIALOA II which he co-owns with his brother Paddy. The 73’ yawl, skippered by Paddy, is currently en route from Australia, where she finished 44th out of 83 finishers in the 77th Sydney to Hobart race. Keith had hoped she’d be in time to take part in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta which ends tomorrow..

While in Antigua, Keith encountered fellow MCDOA member Mike Critchley who invited him for a bevy or two at the Royal Naval Tot Club of Antigua and Barbuda in Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour.

Keith Broughton and Mike Critchley at the Royal Naval Tot Club of Antigua and Barbuda in Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua on 23 Apr 2023

Mike Critchley and Keith Broughton on board Kialoa II in Antigua 25 Apr 2023

As a point of interest, I first visited Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour during regatta week in 1975 as the diving officer of the Leander class frigate HMS MINERVA during a 9-month ‘Windies’ deployment. We delivered three careening capstans, manufactured by the Portsmouth Craft Group in HMS VERNON, to replace the previous replicas that had been produced in Canada and since deteriorated.

Our ship’s company members enjoyed themselves immensely, especially during the raft races, where their crews were augmented by several local topless lovelies.