51º 32’5 N 128º 27.4 W
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Time: 2000 local
Position: 51º 32’5 N 128º 27.4 W
Blog from Regina! Surprises in the Head, Phantom Porpoises and Baby Sharks
It’s not often you find a pleasant surprise in a marine head. Last night I giggled as I realized bioluminescent dots were circling the flushing toilet bowl!
After I joined the cockpit during night watch, I found our crew appreciating FALKEN’s bioluminescent and moonlit wake. Andy soon alerted us to a surreal sight — an electric porpoise (a.k.a. phantom porpoise, a.k.a. glitter dolphin). As our fast-swimming friend surfed FALKEN’s hull, we could see its every feature outlined in glittering blue.
We spotted sharks during the day. We shared this with Manot this morning, and he unfortunately for him asked us what type of shark. He was predictably met with a chorus of “baaabyyy shark … doo doo doo doo …..” The crew spirit is consistently top notch.
Nikki and Manot gave us sailing instruction, and an evening orca sighting under sail was the cherry on top.
P.s. shout out to FALKEN Bunk 2 alumni!
-Regina | 59º North Crew
FALKENCrew
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Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.