Ocean Passage from Azores to St Malo for Tall Ships Race Gathering

Cape Town to St Malo, via the Acension Island and the Azores

Sailing Before The Mast

Crossing an Ocean on a tall ship is a challenge and once in a lifetime ambition you should seize whilst you can. It is possible to live life comfortably and dare we say boringly, but you may never know your true strengths and what you can achieve working with others, or experience the truly humbling effect of being alone in a wide vast ocean. The sailors who followed the trade winds in square riggers were a special breed, and after a your voyage on Bark Europa you will earn yourself a place in a unique ‘club’, and make friendships which will bond you for a lifetime.

Southern Hemisphere back to Europe by Square Rigger 2012

In spring -summer 2012 three masted barque Europa is sailing a route from from Cape Town to St Helena - Ascension Island - Horta, Azores and finishing in St Malo, France. How epic is that ?

 GAP YEAR or adult Career Break? Sail Between Continents

If you are planning to travel the world why not consider doing at least one major hop between continents by boat. Why not sail from the tip of Africa all the way to France, and finish amongst all the tall ships gathering in St Malo for the start of the tall ships race 2012. How much more cool to say you have done the trans ocean voyage under square rig – with few modern concessions and a lot of physical bravery and effort from you. The wind might be free, but you do have to constantly add (set sail) and take away (hand) sail so the ship can crack on at a decent pace without being too much of a handful for the human crew.

Low Carbon Footprint

Sailing between continents is not fast, but you will gain a humility and respect for the sea – our last wild frontier, and appreciate the true scale of the world that you have been exploring. Bark Europa is a self sufficient ship and prides herself on using engines as little as possible. Enjoy the amazing whoosh of the sea down the side of the hull as 300 ton of ship and 50 souls on board are transported by the wind alone to a new continent or remote island outpost.

Do I Need Sailing Experience?

You do not need any sailing experience to go on Bark Europa’s voyage as you will be trained and well looked after. However these are the most challenging voyages we offer and not to be taken lightly. We want you to enjoy it, so if you have never spent longer than a few hours on a boat or ferry then please speak to us for realistic advice. These ocean voyages are continuous sailing and a long way from land - but not beyond the ambitions of an adventurous newcomer to sailing, but if you plan to stay on for several legs, we may be able to suggest a trial voyage before the big challenge.

On Watch At Four Bells

Being woken up in the middle of the night has its compensations; helming the ship under the brightest stars you have ever seen, being in charge as the ship as she ploughs through the unseen waves and the welcome hot drink at the end of your watch. You do need to be reasonable confident in your level of fitness and stamina for Ocean Passages and settling into the ships routine as she sails day and night is the key to becoming an ocean sailor. Taking advantage of opportunities to rest or sleep when off watch in the daytime will help you enjoy this extended period at sea. Life back on shore will feel very strange once you get used to the rhythms of the sea and shipboard life.

Blue Water Sailors

There is more to becoming a blue water sailor than swapping oilskins for shorts, but a suntan certainly helps. Ocean sailors happily adapt to a watch routine and the constant motion of the ship day and night. Experience all the ships moods from glassy calms to white capped swells launching flying fish from crest to crest.

Equatorial Waters

Approaching equatorial crossings the extra skysail masts and yards are sent aloft and the whole crew can easily be kept busy setting the studding sails that few training ships dare rig. The 14 professional crew and guest crew soon become indistinguishable as you learn the ropes, gain a healthy tan and perhaps help out with the ships maintenance.

Food

Dietary requirements on not a problem even on these longer ocean voyages, just let us know on your booking form of any dietary requirement you may have. Fresh bread is baked every day and the ship has large freezers. There is also a bar on board for when you are off watch.

Experienced and first time ocean sailors

If you are an adventurous spirit sailing for the first time then Europa keeps the romance of sailing alive with a great library, lectures, and enthusiastic crew who can teach a range of topics. If you have already sailed on a tall ship or are an experienced yacht sailor wanting to immerse yourself in square rig seamanship or maybe learn some Astro Navigation, then Europa is an excellent choice.
 

Wildlife at Sea

On a long ocean passage on Bark Europa you are almost bound to see whales, these hump back were spotted on a Voyage from Ushuaia to Cape Town and photographed by Debbie Purser from aloft. The bird life will vary depending on your sailing grounds. In the Southern Atlantic you will see many different sorts of albatross, skuas and gulls. A sea bird that seems to crop up in many different waters is the tiny storm petrel, about the same size as a swift but having a different flight pattern. If I was asked to choose a bird to be I think on land I would choose to be a swift but at sea it would have to be the storm petrel, such a small bird in such a big ocean.

Life on board

On deck you work with the crew to sail the ship, joining in the watch system; you may assist with manoeuvres, steering and navigation. Bark Europa may be steered from within the wheelhouse or on deck at the ships wheel. The ship is ideal for ocean crossings and longer voyages, with various places for relaxing: library, lounge, cosy corner and deckhouse. These different areas allow you to do your own thing: perhaps some quiet reading or perhaps a more active role in the social life in the deckhouse. The ship is equipped with television/DVD, CD player, I-pod and radio.

There are two 2-person cabins, six 4-person cabins and four 6-person cabins. During these expeditions the 6-person cabins will have a maximum of 5 occupants. The comfortable cabins have an en-suite toilet and shower. An experienced cook and cook’s assistant will prepare three meals a day.

The majority of the crew is Dutch, but usually you will find various nationalities among the crew. All crew speak English, some are native speakers.

photos by  roland gockel

	24 Day Ocean Voyage from Cape Town to Ascension Island via St Helena €1775 / €2495 euros KA-010512	Europa	Cape Town, South Africa	Ascension Island, South Atlantic	Tue, 01/05/2012 - 17:00- to Thu, 24/05/2012 - 09:00
	67 Day Ocean Voyage from Cape Town to St Malo €4375 euros KS-010512	Europa	Cape Town, South Africa	St Malo, France	Tue, 01/05/2012 - 17:00- to Fri, 06/07/2012 - 09:00
	30 Days Cross the Equator from Ascension Island to the Azores €1975 / €3050 euros AH-240512	Europa	Ascension Island,South Atlantic	Horta, Azores	Thu, 24/05/2012 - 17:00- to Fri, 22/06/2012 - 09:00

15 Days Ocean Passage from Azores to St Malo for Tall Ships Race Gathering €1395 euros HS-220612

Europa

Horta, Azores

St Malo, France

Fri, 22/06/2012 - 17:00- to Fri, 06/07/2012 - 09:00