Sailing in Support of the Invictus Games
Conditions were challenging from the outset. Strong winds and heavy seas made it difficult to set the sails—an early indication of what the next stretch would demand from the crew. Josslyn Bond, Mustang Survival’s International Marketing and Sales Specialist, was aboard one of two traditionally rigged tall ships for a short leg of the 2,000-nautical-mile Full Circle voyage.
The Mission Behind the Voyage
Full Circle is a 12-week circumnavigation of the UK, led by Turn to Starboard, a UK-based charity that uses sailing as a form of recovery for veterans, in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans through competition and shared experience. Aboard Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth, the expedition carries the Invictus Games Flag port to port—22 stops across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—marking the one-year countdown to the Games. The flag itself has crossed the Atlantic from Canada, linking the journey to a global community and a shared message of resilience, recovery, and forward momentum.
Josslyn stepped aboard Spirit of Falmouth, not just as a participant, but as someone about to experience firsthand how sailing can move beyond recreation and into something far more essential. This tall ship, originally built in 1985, is a replica of the Liverpool Pilot Schooner Leader, famous for leading vessels safely over the hazardous Mersey Bar during a severe gale on February 8, 1881. It was donated to Turn to Starboard in 2014 and has since been used to take disadvantaged children and young adults on sailing trips. More than just a ship, it’s become a space where people can rebuild confidence, discover who they are, and feel part of something bigger than themselves.
“Learning more about the ship really highlighted how powerful these kinds of environments can be for healing and personal growth,” says Josslyn.
Spending time with the crew, getting to know the people behind the expedition, and hearing their personal experiences added depth to the miles already behind them, and to the purpose carrying them forward.
“I spoke to a Dutch veteran who joined the Navy in 1987,” she says. “He shared how being part of such a diverse and understanding group was an extraordinary experience—to feel accepted, to share stories, and to connect with others who truly understand.”
Another crew member told Josslyn about their experience pushing themselves. “He told me that he’d never sailed anything this big and that the challenge of doing something new was helping him rediscover what he’s capable of.”
Beyond the Miles
Even in a short window, the impact of the experience was clear. Full Circle is about more than the miles covered—it’s about what happens along the way: the connections built, the confidence regained, and the steady work of recovery in motion.
“Joining for even a short leg was truly a life-changing experience,” says Josslyn. “Meeting the crew and hearing their stories, understanding who they are and what being part of the Invictus Games means to them, really reminded me that you never fully know what someone has been through. Having the chance to listen, learn, and connect was an incredible privilege.”
As the journey continues around the UK, through shifting seas and the miles still ahead, that purpose carries forward with every port and every crew aboard.
Track the progress of both vessels.
What Josslyn Wore
When the ocean shifts quickly, like it did while Josslyn was aboard the Spirit of Falmouth, it leaves little margin for error. As the wind held, cold spray worked its way into everything, reinforcing the need for marine gear that performs when it matters.
Josslyn wore the Mustang Survival Taku Waterproof Jacket and Bib, paired with the Atlas Life Jacket—the same PFD provided to the Turn to Starboard crew. The combination performed as expected, keeping her protected from the heavy spray and waves that swept the deck. Despite getting wet, the life jackets remained inactive, demonstrating the reliability of its hydrostatic inflators. Designed to trigger only when submerged, not from exposure to rain or spray.