2026
Sailing Car
Challenge
Sailing to Herm & Sark!
Raising funds for the Flying Christine III marine ambulance.
St John Ambulance and Rescue (SJARS) volunteers are recreating a 1992 challenge by driving a marinized, bright yellow convertible Daihatsu across the sea from St Peter Port to Herm and Sark. The event raises vital funds for the Flying Christine III marine ambulance.
The Challenge: Volunteers marinize and waterproof a car so it can sail the Little Russel between the islands. The 1992 trip took about two hours to reach Sark, and this 2026 re-enactment is hoping to raise thousands for the marine ambulance.
The volunteer team, made up of experienced mariners and crew from Guernsey’s marine ambulance, prepared the car to make it seaworthy.
Mr Ward, Volunteer Operations Manager and former coxswain, who also took part in the 1992 event, is leading the project.
He explained that the idea came while the Flying Christine III is undergoing an essential mechanical overhaul: “With the boat undergoing an essential mechanical overhaul, I decided it was a good opportunity to re-enact what Paul Phillips and myself did in 1992. We marinised a car then and sailed it from Guernsey to Sark raising several thousands of pounds. At the time, the new marine ambulance Flying Christine III was being built and funds were very short, so we wanted to do our bit and raise the profile.”
He recalled the original 1992 crossing to Sark: “The crossing to Sark in 1992 was quite pleasant, it took just over two hours and the car stood up well. When we got to Sark, the Sark folk were extremely generous and they towed us around the island behind a tractor.”
Ward added that the current situation mirrors the financial pressures of the past: “We are now 33 years later, in a similar position where funds are much needed, not just for the renovation but for the longer-term financial future. We have almost completed the new car conversion and I’d like to thank all of the volunteers and everyone else who has helped us get this far.”
1992 sailed a car to Sark
in just over 2 hours
2026 sailing to Herm & Sark
Paul Phillips, volunteer engineer with the Flying Christine team, also took part in the original challenge alongside Gary Ward, his dog Cass, and Buz White.
He said: “I remember feeling a bit apprehensive when we sailed last time but once we launched, it was a great feeling. We thought replicating this challenge would be a great way to once again raise funds some 33 years later.”
The team is aiming to raise as much money as possible through donations and sponsorship. Click on the link below to donate today or by cheque made payable to “St John Ambulance and Rescue Service”.
Please Support
The Sailing Car Challenge
The team is looking for donations and corporate sponsorship, so if you would like to donate to the challenge to raise funds for the Flying Christine III marine ambulance you can either donate online using the button opposite – or email Ambulance.Rescue@ambulance.gg or by writing to “Flying Christine Appeal, Ambulance & Rescue, Blanchland House, Rohais, St Peter Port, GY1 1 YN.
We have corporate sponsorship opportunities, including a place on the corporate support boat, with a DJ and BBQ, or you could have your company name on the car.
Come and See the Car
- 21st June - Classic Car Show
- 4th July - Harbour Carnival
- 25th & 26th July - Torteval Scarecrow Festival
- 26th & 27th August - North Show
