North Of Disko II

We returned this day a week ago from our attempt to sail from Killary to Greenland as part of 'North of Disko 11' and 'Into the Blue' photography project. On the way, more or less in mid Atlantic, we were set upon by a strong westerly gale, even occasionally storm force! This not only went on for 2 days but came from the direction we were trying to go so to prevent damage and slow the boat down, we deployed a drogue. (A drogue is like a bit of elastic out the back of the boat that prevent too fast forward movement on the back of a big sea and possible subsequent pitch pole or roll over.)
During this period, while there was no sun to charge the batteries via solar panels, we started the engine occasionally. At one stage, more or less at the height of the weather, we were unable to start the engine and assumed that the starter motor had failed.
Without an engine were we to continue on to Greenland would have been foolhardy; dodging icebergs in further forecasted stormy weather does not bear thinking about.....! A wise decision on any expedition such as this is one where all participants return alive and well and, as Paddy Barry said on South Aris (An Irish recreation of Shackelton's voyage from Elephant Island to S Georgia I was a member of 18 odd years ago....) 'time to count the children'.....!
So we returned and during the subsequent week we have been trying to find what all the problems were and once we had replaced the starter motor, knew there was a bigger problem when it still would not start.......
So now we are removing the engine for a full strip down - parts replacement - and a system to prevent such a thing happening again.
Therefore, we have run out of time to return to Greenland this year by the time we have repaired the engine and done a full test of all relevant systems. (And found the money to pay for this.....) Daragh, photographer, is looking at an Irish based experience and I am sure he will announce this soon and we look forward to some great results.
What happens next on plans to go North, we will work on over the rest of the year and winter and to all who were so good in supporting all involved through sponsorship of goods and food, very many thanks - we are in your debt.

It is with regret that Unfortunately due to a combination of mechanical difficulties and weather the Flyer has had to turn around. We expect them to arrive in on Monday. We will update you when we know more. Everyone is safe and sound.

We have a hammock in the Galley with an extraordinary quantity of carrots and celery. We have all accepted our responsibility to eat them all before they turn bad. Consequently all our meals contain celery and carrots and the race is on…us versus the carrots. As the hammock swings away it is not uncommon to find a carrot in our bunks or for one to land on the head!

So.....24 hours on and we are still stuck approx 600 miles from Greenland, 400 miles from Iceland and 500 miles from Ireland.

50 mph winds direct from the west make it a very uncomfortable experience. So much so that our famous 'Jordan's Drogue' which was used on North of Disko I was deployed last night at about 9pm. This 100m of rope with about 150 little parachutes attached. The whole thing is tied off the aft and hugely stabilises the boat. As the giant swell rolls through all tension is taken up by the drogue lines. They creak and groan under the strain until the wave passes....and then the next wave arrives and so on.

Watch system has changed as we are going nowhere and it is now 1 hour on alone and 5 hours off. This is a watch to make sure nothing goes wrong with the Drogue.

Now, although the Drogue steadies the boat a bit we are still being tossed about the place and being smashed with waves over the deck. These one hour watches became known as 'The Death Watch' by Claire on the last expedition. Basically all hatches are closed and you go out on deck on you own while everyone else sleeps. Appropriate name....I was on my 2am one last night, winds howling and shrieking through the rigging. I was sitting on the deck of the cockpit when a giant wave smashed over the entire cockpit soaking me from head to toe. This has happened to all of us at this stage.

Nothing we can do but bob around at the mercy of the weather gods.
Adam has the flu which has possibly now being passed to Jamie.....oh the fun of an Ocean crossing!

500 miles in 72 hours….and here come the head winds. Yes indeed, we've done extremely well but the grib files (on-line weather maps that we have downloaded from our satellite phone) are
indicating some pretty hectic weather over the next few days. Strong head winds for 2 days. We’re delighted to be still on route though as earlier we had a big scare as our engine didn't start. Flat battery and suddenly smoke from the engine. Not good 500 miles from land! We thought our starter motor was gone but after a couple of hours charging the battery from our trusty little Honda generator she kicked into life again. The dream is still alive.
The storms have arrived and although Jamie was convinced his luck had to change we are lying a hull and probably will do for the next 24 hours. This means that all sails are down, engine is off and we are waiting out the storm. This began with the stay sail halyard coming loose in the middle of a gale…..in the middle of the night. All fun stuff.

On the North of Disko 2013 expedition we had plenty soups and falafel mixes vacuum sealed.
There were a few left over that magically appeared on board fro North of Disko II.
I felt it was a soup day and emptied the contents of what I thought to be a chicken soup into a pot…..turned out to be a falafel mix. I would heartily recommend falafel soup with corned beef…..it went down well today anyhow!