Desperate times call for desperate measures and sailors are known for taking risks more often than not. That’s why the crew of the legendary tall ship Bark Europa has decided to take off from the end of the world – almost literally – all the way back to the Netherlands.
The historical ship got caught in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. And with no ending of the pandemic insight, they just couldn’t afford – or didn’t want to – stay longer.
Obviously, this 10,000-mile trip wouldn’t be much of an issue for a ship and a crew used to sailing all over the world and under the tougher circumstances. This time, however, they’ll have to do it with no stops, as there aren’t other harbors in the world that will allow them to enter their nations amid the pandemic.
“Extraordinary situations demand extraordinary measures and sacrifices. We are leaving. We are sailing back to the Netherlands. The Europa embarks on what will be its most unique journey. From Ushuaia, we will cross the Southern Ocean, temperatures will rise until we reach the tropics and we will continue north until we reach Europe. (…) 500 years ago, the sailors of the Modern Age traveled with carrying winds, always maneuvering under sail, looking for the breezes that could take them back home and so will we. Sailing, without motor and without stopovers, because nowadays there is no open port that allows us to enter,” Crew member Maria Intxaustegi wrote on the Ship’ log, as quoted by Newsweek.
The Bark Europa has been crossing the oceans since 2000, although it was built in 1911. Its 24 sails have taken it to places we could only imagine and it doesn’t seem like the crew is looking forward to putting an end to the adventures any time soon. Hopefully, this epic odyssey will come to a happy ending.