‘Ocean Odyssey’, 2010, 45’

Position
Camera operator

Context
Episode from documentary series Monster Moves

Year
2010

Details
Documentary, HD, 45’

Directors
Jessica Jones

DOP
Steve Bonser

Producer
Windfall Films (UK)

Broadcasted by
Channel 5
Discovery Channel

Description
A collection of high-spec racing yachts that have competed in the gruelling Route du Rhum race have to be transported from the Caribbean to France – without their hulls getting wet.

Every four years, the Route du Rhum sees the cream of the sailing fraternity race across the Atlantic from the French coast at Saint-Malo to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe on their state-of-the-art thoroughbred yachts. These bits of kit cost a fortune, and many of their owners think it’s not worth the risk to sail them home again across the threatening Atlantic. Their solution is to call in a team of marine engineers to help them out.

These guys have the task of loading a collection of multi-million pound monohull and multihull boats onto the back of a 30,000-tonne cargo ship, packing them tightly and making sure they make it back to France undamaged. It is a tight squeeze to get these 50ft long boats safe and sound on board. The team also have to contend with the egos of some of the owners and a storm…