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
View more passage logs
Passages and Purposes
As of today, Falken has taken us over 1800nm across the North Pacific. We’ve learned about water-makers, starter motors, furling, taking in and letting out reefs, easing and grinding, weather and wind, helming by course and by wind angles, and the difference between rest and sleep. For now, the latest challenge is to stay in the moment. The memories we’ve made here are priceless, even if we only connected for a few moments on our various paths in this world. So few people get this opportunity to “go dark” and live simply for a moment.
Baptism Off Ka’ena Point
For the ancient Hawaiians, O’ahu was the gathering place. On day one of Falcon’s passage to British Columbia, we were to pass this headland. In short order, the winds built to well over 30 knots on the beam. Below deck I took a seat on the low side and became drenched in sweat. I had finally rounded Ka’ena point.
Turning the corner
Yesterday found Falken on a Northward course, still heeled to port, climbing and falling over waves. Sunrise this morning found Falken in an entirely different condition, one familiar to her, but not yet to the current crew. And then a truly magic moment, a pod of dolphins at least fifty members strong came to dance on Falken’s bow wave. We are now joyfully headed northeast, on course toward our eventual destination of Prince Rupert. Falken has turned a corner.