Evacuation Rally Announcement
Published 13:15 on 19 May 2026
With the Granville Rally this weekend now fully subscribed and as we watch the forecast for a good crossing, attention switches to our annual race and Rally to St Malo on the weekend of 12-14th June, to commemorate the 86th anniversary of your Clubs participation in the evacuation of British troops and civilians from St Malo in the face of the approaching German army. This was in June 1940, just a couple of weeks before our Islands were themselves occupied. The Clubs rapid response to the call for help from the Lt Governor was eventually recognised by the Admiralty in the form of permission for all Members to fly the defaced red ensign (permit required from the office), an example of which you will hanging above the bar.
The largest and fastest of the fleet was the motor launch RFC113, which you may have spotted last week in St Helier marina or covered by the local media, has been lovingly restored and was in Jersey for the Liberation Day festivities. We hope she will join us in a future Evacuation Rally.
Below you will find a link to register please do so NOW if you intend joining us, or even if you think you might, as there will NOT be a further call to register. All further communications will be via the emails you enter on registration. Please note that for this special event, there is NO registration fee.
Our itinerary is currently as follows:
- Friday 12th June - As the Clubs fleet of little ships left St Helier the very same evening for an uncomfortable night crossing to St Malo, the race leaves St. Helier on the evening of Friday 12th June. Rally boats are able to make the crossing on Friday 12th or the morning of Saturday 13th June and berth in the Port Sablons marina at St Servan to wait for the arrival of the racing fleet.
- Saturday 13th June All boats are encouraged to lock through together into the Bassin Vauban at 15:57 (French time), dressed overall or with flags and bunting decorating your boats. It makes for quite a sight in the lock and the basin. We will be mooring on the long rally pontoon on the Quai de lEsplanade, near the main entrance to St Malo. We are holding a reception on the wonderful old pirate ship Wodnik, permanently moored nearby on the Quai St Vincent, where the Club is providing a complimentary welcome drink. Unlike last years 85th anniversary, there are no formalities or food offerings this year, so all are free to eat at a restaurant of their choice (including the Wodnik) that evening.
- Sunday 14th June - The racing boats are likely to take the last morning lock out at 08:56 for the return race, and all rally boats are free to choose their own departure times, either with the racers for a sail home, or on an afternoon lock out (from 17:21) after lunch out in the city for the faster boats.
There will of course be a reception in the clubhouse for all Members on Wednesday 17th, as has already been communicated.We are offering those who are new to this route, or who prefer the security of travelling with other boats an option to Cruise in Company. If you wish to take advantage of this, please click the relevant box on registration.
Full briefing notes will be sent to all registered skippers in a couple of weeks. If you have any queries, you can contact the rally committee on rally@shyc.je or via the office.
Click here to register.
Kind Regards,
Chris Parlett
Chairman Rally Committee