The Europa sits peacefully at anchor in front of Salvador de Bahía Barra Yacht Club. She has been there for the last four days after arriving from the last landfall, in Cape Verde.

eager to start

The Europa sits peacefully at anchor in front of Salvador de Bahía Barra Yacht Club. She has been there for the last four days after arriving from the last landfall, in Cape Verde.The crew has been busy since then preparing her for this last leg of the trip that started in Hoorn and aims to round Cape Horn in a traditional way. We were all eager to start this trip that is going to bring us to the Patagonian shores, on a trip full of uncertainties celebrating the 400 anniversary of Cape Horn discovery by the Dutch sailors Lemaire and Schouten. More than 3000nm under sail separate us from our goal on that trip, fully dependant on the weather and the good sailing.

toast

Around 17:00h all was ready to welcome us on board. There we gather on the Main Deck and get to introduce each other. Coffee, tea, and sweet treats were served. Soon the bell rings 3 times, signalling all hands to gather. Captain Klaas gives a welcome speech, introducing the ship and his crew, followed by a toast for the necessary fair winds and the well development of this adventurous trip.

All Canvas set

Departure time was set for the moment when the local authorities are over with all bureaucracy. That gives us time for dinner and the mandatory Safety Drill done by our Mate Gijs. In the meantime Starboard watch started preparing the sails and getting the Europa ready for departure. Top sails, Top Gallants, Lower and Middle Staysails were unfurled. Soon we could hear the anchor being hoisted. The idea is to already begin our trip getting off the hook under sail, and so we did. Light breeze fills up our canvas, Europa turns and starts heading South, while the rest of her sails are being unfurled and hoisted. By midnight ship’s time Europa is sailing between at 6 knots Southwards with all her canvas set.