Lectures and food
03:00UTC | Marina Flamingo
In-Port
I’m in my bunk, listening to my favourite tunes while the crew are on deck or in their bunks, some texting home, some reading, there’s that feeling of a big trip in the air, and it’s no wonder, tomorrow we set off to the Galápagos.
Today was briefing after briefing. We talked through all the safety equipment onboard, ran a man overboard drill, checked the engine, and after lunch ashore we sat in an aircon room for a weather brief while going through how to put a passage plan together. Big thumbs up to the crew for listening to my voice for that long.
After a delicious and fun dinner ashore, everyone’s gone into their own little bubble, that one where nerves mix with excitement and you can feel the start of the trip getting closer.
After many trips as skipper, I’ve realised this feeling never really goes away. The thoughts of making sure we’ve got everything, that little voice saying maybe we’ve missed something, or if we’ve covered everything before departure. I used to hate it, being on edge right up until we left.
Now I kind of embrace it, it keeps me grounded, keeps me aware.
And it makes that moment even sweeter, when the sails go up, the course is set, and the engine goes off, then it’s just us and the open ocean.
My happy place.
Alex Laline
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Shooting Stars & Turtle Logs
Day three out of Ketchikan and FALKEN is running wing on wing down the outside of Vancouver Island. The temptation is to lie back in the cockpit and spend the night watching for shooting stars, but a diligent watch is always the first priority. So we keep a sharp eye out while the shooting stars keep us company through the night. The wildlife keeps coming: humpback and minke whales, five mola molas, dolphins, and a black-footed albatross. We are all feeling lucky for such conditions!
Pot dodging and whale watching
Duncan got us up to eleven knots at one point! The Ferriers also logged our first Orca sighting on their 3am-6am watch! This morning is a gift as the temps are just right and we finally have some blue sky and plenty of sunshine. It was a glorious few hours sailing before it inevitably died as forecast. I live in hope that by sunset tonight we’ll be back sailing as we emerge out of the lee of the island and the wind will be more westerly which lends itself to a better sailing angle.
We are off!
After two days of introductions, safety briefings and boat procedures we have departed Ketchikan. We are currently making a whopping 3.3 knots as there is very little wind in Nichols Passage. Adam fed us well last night with a delicious shrimp curry and Duncan was the winner of a sporty game of the card version Monopoly. With the scenic views and light wind it's quite peaceful out here.