Part 1 tells of their passage from Panama to Cocos island - Click here.

Part 2 below covers their journey from Cocos Island to the Galapagos during 13-18th Feb: 

Tues 13th Feb
Still on wind strengths of F1.

0830 the iron topsl came back into action. This afternoon something quite unbelievable occurred. A vessel was spotted on the horizon off the starboard bow proceeding towards us. It became clear as the vessel got closer it was quite a lavish fishing vessel - probably tuna, with helicopter atop!

At about 4nm off the chopper took off - How exciting! It seemed to be coming towards us, probably to have a quick look before scouting for the next catch. All of a sudden the chopper started to descend - and kept going until it crashed into the sea!

We proceeded over and offered our assistance, but in the meantime they had launched their boats and retrieved the 2 crew from the helicopter. All ok and the crew unharmed. Just lost a chopper...

Another action packed day on the Soren Larsen!

We finished off Tuesday with a firedrill - seeing as everyone was in the mood!

Well the wind filled in from the SE at about 0200 on Wed 14th Feb - how romantic. It freshened to a F4 by midday before abating again in the evening. Just in time for our Valentines Dinner, Fancy Dress tonight - the theme being Famous Couples.

We had some outrageous duo“s! Cpt Jim & Terri came as King Arthur & Guenevere, We had Adam & Eve (VC Laila & Ken) Mr & Mrs Arafat, Troy was a stunning Marilyn Monroe with Nick as Joe Di Magigio! Bill Clinton was there, but Hillary was a no show! And Geoff W came as Yasser Arafat with Elaine as his lovely wife. A super night.
Main Engine started 2100.

Thursday 15th & Friday 16^th Feb again brought no wind. the many currents in this part of the world are making themselves known.

The Humbolldt current is a cold current (avg. 15 degrees C) consists of the Peruvian Oceanic and Coastal currents which flow in a Northerly direction up the west coast of S. America and the Southern Ocean current. These currents form the South Equatorial current which flows westwards roughly along the Equator.

The South Equatorial current is also influenced by the Cornwall current, a cold water counter current, coming from the western Pacific (avg. 13 degrees c). It flows in an Easterly direction undercutting the South Equatorial Current. It upwells at the Galapagos Islands.

The South Equatorial counter is also influenced by the warm waters of El Nino - the flow of water from the Gulf of Panama.

North of the Cromwall and South Equatorial currents is the Equatorial counter current. It lies at about 5 degrees N and brings warm tropical waters from the Western Pacific, ending in the Gulf of Panama. North of this counter current is the North Equatorial Current flowing west.

The different currents also bring a mass of different birds and marine life. We see many schools of dolphins - in schools of up to 200! Very active and jumping 2 to 3 meters out of the water - many in unison at times.

We also stopped to observe a hammerhead shark, nearly 6' long - cruising along. In the morning we came across a poor old turtle caught up in a plastic bag. We turned around and went back and Nick dived in and saved the day. The poor fellow's head and back flipper were caught in the bag. It makes you wonder what we don“t come across. Later that day we saw quite a large turtle bobbing along with a boobie bird sitting on his shell.

Friday the 16th of Feb saw Soren Larsen cross The Line!! We crossed at 1747 local time (6 hours behind GMT) at 90 degrees 00' W. A very light SEasterly filled in - maybe F2 so we shut down and set the Squares and sailed across into the Southern Hemisphere!

Many ships crossed the line today so Neptune has pencilled in his visit “till after our departure of the Galapagos. Never-the-less, a representative of his court graced her presence aboard to interview the so called Shellbacks - one who has sailed across the Equator as opposed to a Pollywog who has not. A Shellback who doesn't have proof of their crossing must pass a simple test performed by the Bilge Monster... a most revolting sight. The test, of course, I can't tell, was executed, and not all passed!

All will be told about the official crossing the line ceremony on my next report.
A lot happened on Friday ...

Land Ho! Our first Galapagos Island. Genovesa - roughly 14 square kms in area. Darwin Bay on the south side is a huge collapsed caldera (crater like depression formed by the collapse of a volcano) submerged by sea water & 180m deep at the centre. A narrow passage allowed us to enter the gay - Fascinating.

Thursday 15th Feb
We anchored in Academy Bay at the sourthern end of Santa Cruz at the Port of Ayora at 0930.

Sunday 18th Feb
Bacon & Egg Day!

An early start as our VC depart today for a 4 day ECO Tour of the Islands. In the meantime Perm.Crew carry on with ships maintenance and have some shore leave.

The Galapagos Islands are an amazing place. The islands are oceanic and have never been connected to the land. The whole Archipelago is volcanic, and is made up of 19 islands and 42 islets.

The volcanic phenomena forming the islands and the confluence of many ocean currents create an unusual geographical place with a unique eco-system and an amazing array of flora & fauna.

The islands are classified as subtropical even though they are situated on the equator. The Northern island are almost tropical as they are less affected by the cold waters of the south.

The fauna includes turtles, tortoises, sharks - hammerheads & reef, birds galore, including boobies, pelicans, flamingos, herons, seals, sea lions and the iguanas.

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  More will follow of Galapagos and the the passage to Easter Island shortly.

NEW Voyage Crew Memory Module:
Paul Huisking reflects on his
Auckland -Panama
Ocean Passage last year.

Voyage Crew Memories
Ian Marshall's Atlantic Crossing
Voy 142, Dec 2000

See pictures of the Curacao - Panama voyage at Voyage Crew Bob Lewis' own webpage at http://www.nythfa.freeserve.co.uk/soren/sorenlarsen.html

See pics from John Homes and Alan Murphy of the Grenada-Curacao leg:
here

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VOYAGE CREW RETURNING HOME:  Scan and email or post your pictures of your voyage! If you have an account of your trip or a special moment then let us a know. Your tales can be included in the Voyage Log!

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