A first for maritime moggies: Oli Williams, an intrepid ten-year-old grey tuxie, has made history co-crewing the 12m (40ft) Sylph IV  in the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. No cat has competed in the race since it was established 78 years ago, so it’s not before time. 

The course covers 628 nautical miles, but SC (Ship’s Cat) Oli is an experienced feline salt. He has been sailing with his shipmate, retired naval officer Bob Williams, for five years now. and all four sea legs are well established.

Sylph IV is a vintage vessel, so Oli and his two-human crew were going for comfort rather than speed; As expected, they made port in Hobart on New Year’s Day, berthing at 6.30 in the morning; this was a little early for us, but Belvedere and I were very happy to splice a mainbrace or two in celebration of Oli’s nautical nous.