01249 715566
hello@polarocean.co.uk
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
RSS
  • About
    • Objectives
    • Crew
    • Boat photos & specs
    • Education
  • Expedition Log
    • Photos & Footage
    • Ships Logs
    • Crew (B)logs
    • Sea State logs
  • Tracking Boat
    • Tracking
    • Sea Ice Charts
    • The Route
  • Contact Us
  • Sea Ice News
  • Media Coverage

Its definitely LAND!

NorthaboutShips logNo Comments13/10/2016
SHIPSLOG 12-13 October 2016 –  Destination Westport, Ireland
Position 53,49.4N 009 47.9W Barometer 1011, Sea Temp 14.5 Degrees, Air 14.5, Course 087 T

Well we have arrived at our interim landfall after 10 days of challenges and frustrations crossing the North Atlantic from Cape Farewell. There’s something very special, even after only 10 days at sea, about sighting land, first a feint outline, then gone, were fed up, it was a hoax…an hour later, yes there it is, clear outline of mountains and the faintest of grey pastel shade, its definitely LAND! We all jumped up and strained to see the horizon. I was quietly pleased to see it directly in front of us, popping up in any other place, behind us for example, would have resulted in a serious loss of navigational credibility. Anyway, by nightfall we were tied up along some very businesslike Blacksod Bay fishing trawlers, and our reception party, a local team of enthusiasts, led by Mr Jarlath Cannane, NORTHABOUTS builder, were there to meet us, all previous crew interested and supportive of our expedition. The lighthouse keeper was even there to take  line, God Bless him. We like Lighthouses.

The photo was taken from the shore thats us. The beam of light is from a torch. Ben was on the bow on lobster pot avoidance watch. It was very dark.

As i write we are heading into NORTHABOUTS registered home port, Westport. I don’t know about inanimate objects possessing souls, although i would think any self respecting Inuit, or Maori for that matter will tell you its a natural state of affairs, but i think this old boat wanted to go home one last time, and organised the weather around it! We will be alongside in an hour. We and probably NORTHABOUT too are really looking forward to it.

Mike.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Read all…

  • Ships Log
  • Crew Blog
  • Photos & Footage
  • Sea State Logs
  • Sea Ice News

All recent posts in all categories

  • We arrived in Bristol!! 22/10/2016
  • 20th October – Bristol homecoming 22/10/2016
  • My court martial was finally held in Northabout’s saloon Wednesday night….. 21/10/2016
  • See picture above is us in Portishead ‘up the road’ It’s lovely to see her! 20/10/2016
  • Well, this is my final Captains Log. Tomorrow I hand over to David Hempleman-Adams the expedition leader to bring the boat home its final final leg into Bristol harbour. 19/10/2016
  • 19 October readying boat in Portishead 19/10/2016
  • Northabout had the bit between her teeth, and we surged along at 10/11kts – into Portishead! 19/10/2016
  • 18th October Celtic Sea to Portishead 18/10/2016
  • With the wind and swell behind us we were doing twelve knots at times with an average of about seven. Amazingly that continued and continues to continue as we continue to head east. Thence to Bristol, see you there! 18/10/2016
  • We are now well into the Celtic Sea, past Cork in the north, and enjoying the run home. We saw a dolphin last night, and four this morning so far. Skipper Mike is keeping us on our toes, with no relaxing – constant looking out for boats without AIS on the radar 17/10/2016
  • The last four weeks have for me been an unique experience; the five members of the Atlantic Team have been worked hard but have gelled well – for which many thanks to them all 17/10/2016
  • 45 minutes – The time to takes for the average crew member to dress and equip for watch and get to the cockpit. 35 seconds -The time it takes for the same crew to get to his bunk, get his kit off and get in bed with eyes closed….. 17/10/2016

© 2016 Polar Ocean Challenge | Cookie & Privacy Policy | Website Disclaimer | Web Design by Joe Dowdell & Frances Gard
This site uses cookies: Find out more.