In the morning, the sun is shining from a deep-blue sky; it’s bitterly cold, and the deck and mast are covered with a layer of ice. After a warm bowl of porridge, we weigh anchor shortly after eight. The impressive scenery of South Georgia passes by on our starboard side: alpine peaks, often snow-capped all …
Preparations On the evening of the previous day, we begin preparing for our first shore leave. Here in South Georgia, that involves quite a bit of effort. To prevent anything that doesn’t belong here—such as seeds, soil, plant parts, or other “civilization debris”—from reaching the island, all items, clothing… must be thoroughly cleaned. And so …
We’re here; we’ve been anchored in Right Whale Bay since yesterday. We’re the only ship on the island. We spent yet another night on watch, passing the hours drifting northward in the darkness, but yesterday morning, when I stuck my head out into the drafty cockpit at half past four—the sails had already been set …
We’ve been at sea for six days now. Course approximately 100 degrees. South Georgia lies to our northeast, still about 80 nautical miles away. We’ve been sailing since the evening of the third day. The wind forced us to take a slightly more southerly course. Since the day before yesterday, we’ve been sailing within the …
We’re out at sea! Finally. Yesterday between 10 and 11 a.m., we cast off from Stanley and, after leaving Cape Pembroke astern, set a course for South Georgia. Unfortunately, we’re running on the engine for now. The stormy wind of the last few days had completely died down just in time for our departure. What …
Ten days in the Falklands are behind us—at least for most of us. The lead-up took a little longer than expected. The Selma, our ship, was being prepared for the upcoming season at a shipyard in Brazil and was unable to clear customs and set sail until later than planned. She finally arrived here in …