Crossing the North Atlantic

With Captains Alex and Daria Blackwell

Thursday December 15th, 2011, 19:00 GMT
GMIT Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Crossing an ocean need not be daunting, though it may indeed be ‘interesting’. This lively discussion will help you think through the options available to you. Choosing your departure point and timing wisely can make the difference between a successful passage and a miserable one. Being prepared for the unexpected can save your life.

When planning passages across the North Atlantic, one needs to consider the boat, weather, currents, wind patterns, length of passage and provisioning, crew preparedness, safety, comfort and compatibility, and a whole host of other factors. Luckily, plenty of sailors have been doing it for hundreds of years and we can learn much from their experience.

Alex and Daria have recently completed three successive double-handed Atlantic crossings in 2008, 2009 and 2010, aboard their 57-foot ketch, Aleria. They experienced gales in the north, were becalmed in the south, and managed some of each across the middle. They’ll share the tough moments, the magical ones, as well as some fun experiences, and also the elation of having done something few others ever dare to contemplate. Come prepared with your questions, they have much to share!

Can't make this lecture? check out the Seven Seas University, where we will be doing a webinar on this same topic some time soon