Thrill seeker Laquita Minors was looking for a new adventure so when the chance to sail in the Marion to Bermuda Race arrived she grabbed it with both hands.

“Now that I am in a later part of my life you kind of start thinking outside of the box and say, ‘what else can be exciting’ and this is truly exciting,” said Minors, one of several Butterfield & Vallis employees sailing in the race aboard the Spirit of Bermuda. “I have no clue about sailing, and I’m not able to swim, but this is a trip of a lifetime and so far I’m glad I made this choice to come.

“I have a lot of support from people back home, some of them tell me that they would not do the race which makes me feel kind of special.”

The mother of one has taken to life above and below decks like a duck to water.

“We have learnt a lot about the boat already,” she said. “I have also been helping out in the galley and hot bunking, which actually means when someone is on watch the other person is climbing in their bed. I also took the helm of the steering wheel and it was such a wonderful experience.”

With several of her work colleagues among Spirit’s crew, Minors sad it felt as though she never left her day job.

“We actually have someone from each department on the boat which makes it very interesting,” she said.

“I always say that you basically spend 80 per cent of the time with your working colleagues, but right now it’s like 90 per cent because we are now eating, sleeping and working together.

“I have even made new friends and we all get along and are looking forward to the experience.”

Minors will have plenty to share her adventure on the high seas with family and friends when she returns home — and she can barely wait to do so.

“I will certainly have some interesting and great stories to tell them,” she said. “I will also have lots of pictures to show them too.”