32.3840° N, 64.6800° W
May 25, 2024
St. George’s, Bermuda
The crew is wrapping up their final moments in St. George’s, Bermuda. This has been my first time traveling outside of America. My time here has been overwhelmingly positive, from the 59º North Crew to the locals here in Bermuda. Community is deeply rooted in the culture of Bermuda, and 59º North Sailing holds the same values. I have the pleasure of working with crew members who have been sailing with 59º North before or learned about the organization through other sailors. The sailing community is small, but I have never seen an organization that is so well known and so highly praised by others. This should not come as a surprise if you have the opportunity to meet the Captains, Mates, and Crew who have worked with 59º North Sailing—they are extraordinary people.
As I am writing this, we are casting off the dock lines and heading to the fueling dock before we make our way to the Azores. Though the wind looks light, I have no doubt this trip will be memorable. The crew has been working tirelessly and has remained in good spirits in the face of the calm weather. I think during times like this we need to remember that though the minutes feel long, the days are short. I will be soaking up every minute I am here, and I am looking forward to what lies ahead.
- Athena | 59º North Apprentice
59ºNorthApprentice
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Seasickness
But maybe, I thought, with some drugs I could stay ahead of it. The first 48 hours I felt horrible. But luckily with 3 health care professionals on board and in a very encouraging environment, my body found its way. Anyway, someone offered me a patch (unavailable in Canada) and someone else gave me some pills for nausea and now I feel much, much better.
Dolphins and Bioluminescence
We had a good run with the sails but weather has changed and we are once again chasing the wind. Everyone is getting a chance to practice helming in big swell; starting to get a feel of the wind and water and how it pushes and pulls the hull. A pod of dolphins came to visit at night, splashing in the bioluminescent water, and again in the day, dancing in the bow wake. For now enjoying the calmer sea state and falling asleep to the rumble of the engine and the gentle whooshing of the water on the hull.
Greetings from Lala Lemonshark
The brave crew is toughing it out and staying cheerful despite being tossed around. The engine is off and we are true sailing-main and jib. In the first 12 hours we saw two pods of Orca and four humpback whales, two of which were 20 yards off the starboard beam!