It was not really in the schedule to visit the Antarctic we were just planning to see Patagonia, a major milestone in itself and then continue around South America. But when you meet people on boats that have sailed to Antarctica and get told of the majesty and the way that it changed their life, you feel you must at least consider the possibility of visiting it while you are in striking distance.
The prospect was discussed with other boat crews and then we began collecting sketch maps of anchorages and buying extra fuel containers and stocking up on supplies and then making sure the heater was performing well and soon we realised that we were well on the way to being committed. So when Ashley Kerr, the captain of Windjammer put the question to the crew, “should we sail down to Antarctica?” Everyone just nodded their heads in agreement.
This is not to belittle the magnitude of the decision as everyone was well aware of the task ahead. Crossing the notorious Drake’s Passage not once, but twice and surviving the freezing temperatures and storms that Antarctica could throw at us would not be easy. But surely not impossible for the well-travelled schooner Windjammer and her six seasoned crew. Read more.
