Tagesberichte siehe Menu unten
Dr. Mikkel Anthonisen aboard Oceans of Hope transiting the Panama Canal
A Global Voyage to Change Perceptions of Multiple Sclerosis
Oceans of Hope is a Sailing Sclerosis Foundation project that aims to change perceptions of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), inspiring people with the disease to overcome their own personal challenges by telling the stories of those taking part in the first ever circumnavigation by a yacht crewed by people with MS. Learn more at www.sailing-sclerosis.org.
The Panama Canal - by Emil Koch, MS Crew
Having to wait for the canal authorities and agents to clear all "necessary" paperwork to allow us to pass the canal, we spent some days in the Marina Shelter Bay in the outskirts of the city Colon. A lovely marina, which we found heavily guarded and almost an oasis in an industrial and urban area...
Passing the first lock of the Canal at 28 meters was a spectacular scene seeing huge ships on the first floor next to us being 20+ meters, we looked like a toy ship in comparison. Some work had to be done to keep our little fragile ship in the middle of the lock between giants that seemed to be able to crush us at any time. We were anchored in the lake close to the new construction area of the lock system, which makes it possible for the canal to take even bigger ships, we had a good night of sleep.
Panama City and this MS crew final destination is now close. I feel privileged having gained new friends for life, having this life in spite of MS. I thank all of the people around Oceans of Hope for giving me this opportunity to widen my horizons. Thank you to all my new friends for letting me into your life. All the best wishes to the organization Sailing Sclerosis. GOOD WINDS is the wish from Emil.
Exploring the Galapagos - by Bertram Christensen
Upon arrival Oceans of Hope was met with a welcoming atmosphere from the beginning. Both the Galapagos National Park representatives, the Port Captain and several other authorities were on board, and while fulfilling their jobs they were introduced to our great project. We received an extended blessing from the religious Port Captain who also invited us all personally to join him in the local church. As with any place we go, we meet great understanding for our purpose, and in this case Galapagos is no different than the rest of the world. A local taxi driver, the diving instructor, the turtle shelter and the immigration office all wanted to know more and now have brochures about the sailboat going around the world with an active crew with MS.
For additional insight on the Galapagos Islands, read our online article.
Comments from the Crew
"Don't ever eat lunch at a local cantina in Panama City before going to The Pacific. Three adventurous Danes high on life thinking they were close to being immortal had to test it - total madness."
- Dorthe Alvang
"We are just a quick, windy ride away from the skyline of Panama City, five hours or so, yet in most ways a world away - dolphins, pelicans frigate birds...there is indeed oceans and oceans of hope here!"
- Colleen Fegan
"Not one of us will go on in life without being affected by the 23 days of intense company on board Oceans of Hope. Company that despite differences has been united in a strong teamwork, where the focus has always been to handle the challenges, rather than building barriers. "
- Hans Kollner
"We have had our trials and tribulations in the last two days, but this has helped the crew to bond and now we are all ready for the biggest adventure of our lives."
- Cliff Davies
"Up with the sails and off with the engine, the wind was here. Yipee! Long live the unpredictable, Galapagos here we come!"
- Pia Helgogaard
"The nights are light, like a Nordic summer night, because the moon is about to be full. You can still see The Southern Cross standing high in the sky."
- Erland Sperlig
"It will be so hard to leave our very special world on the gorgeous Oceans of Hope yacht. One of the hardest parts will be saying goodbye to the wonderful professional crew that have enabled us to sail, learn about ourselves and have a laugh along the way."
- Camilla Veale
Introducing the New MS Crew - Galapagos to Tahiti
BERTRAM CHRISTENSEN (Bosun)
KRISTIAN BO ECHWALD HANSEN (Skipper)
Looking Forward - Australia & New Zealand
Oceans of Hope will arrive in the Australasia region with a grand entrance in Auckland, New Zealand in early May 2015 coinciding with the ANZAN 2015 conference scheduled for the same time period. Working together with ANZAN and other partners in New Zealand, Oceans of Hope will be a marquee visual attraction for the event. MS New Zealand are mobilizing their members to participate in a number of taster sailing days in Auckland Harbour.
Moving swiftly to Australia, on May 27th Oceans of Hope will be escorted by a parade of sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to a VIP reception under the famous Sydney skyline. Celebrating World MS Day, Oceans of Hope will play an integral role in the festivities being organised in conjunction with MS Australia and MS Research, to include music and other entertainment along with a spectacular evening event. Meeting our mission of serving MS communities around the world, Oceans of Hope will spend several days with other local yachts provided by the Sailing with disABILITIES foundation, offering taster sails to introduce Australians living with MS to sailing and the Oceans of Hope dream. During the Sydney stopover Oceans of Hope will be based at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia who are lending the project a huge amount of support. Stay tuned... we will update our website with information as all the plans are finalized!
Join the Oceans of Hope Crew!
The Oceans of Hope still has crew places available for 2-3 week spells onboard as she sails from Sydney, Australia to Singapore. Do you have MS? Are you a sailor? Would you like to have the adventure of a lifetime? Are you ready to leave your MS ashore? If you have just said yes four times then you should hit the Crew Wanted button on our website www.sailing-sclerosis.org and apply now!
Places are available from early June, so join the ever-growing band of International MS Crew who have lived the Oceans of Hope experience, read their blogs at https://www.facebook.com/OceansofHope
The Delicate Nature of Entering the Galapagos
OoH Feb 7, 2015, by Oceans of Hope News team in Yacht
Oceans of Hope is experiencing first-hand the diligence and resolve of those entrusted to protect the environmental ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. Following the bright, saffron-colored hull of Oceans of Hope arrival in Puerto Ayora yesterday afternoon, the crew set forth with their established plans for inspections required to be cleared into the Galapagos National Park. A somewhat complex process, this involves working with a local agent, immigration authorities, port officials, and those working for the National Park, including divers that inspect the hull using underwater video.
Although the crew was initially told they were cleared to enter the park, an hour later word came back that there was a concern over some barnacles on the bottom side of the 67-foot yacht. The crew was somewhat surprised since they did their own underwater inspection just weeks ago while in Panama. Showing full respect for the authorities and any possible concern that exists for the delicate marine life of the Galapagos, Oceans of Hope immediately made plans to temporarily depart the area, in the process engaging two specialty divers to join the crew to rectify any concern over the condition of the hull.
"This is an example of the constant challenges you are bound to meet when sailing around the world,” said Dr. Mikkel Anthonisen, Founder and CEO of Oceans of Hope. “In this case the number one priority is of course to follow the instructions of the authorities to protect the unique environment of these islands from invasive species. To experience how the team deals with situations like this makes me proud - always thinking about possibilities and finding solutions when facing obstacles."
The current crew members who live with multiple sclerosis will get the treat of staying on land for a couple nights in Puerto Ayora, but not before preparing the boat for the forthcoming crew who will join the ongoing global circumnavigation in a couple days. It will be a great chance to explore the Galapagos from a different perspective, while the hull of Oceans of Hope is completely prepared to meet any and all standards required by the Galapagos authorities.
Never a dull moment on our grand adventure! Thankfully, we have an excellent crew with ample experience in acting and moving nimbly and swiftly to resolve unexpected situations, which are of course quite common when sailing around the world. We will keep you informed as this exercise is complete and Oceans of Hope returns to the Galapagos National Park for the upcoming welcome to a new MS crew, who will sail as scheduled to the next port of this global initiative to educate, motivate and inspire those living with MS and all those that live on this delicate planet with them. We will continue our mission to change the perceptions of people living with MS with the help of many.
You will hear more news as we move ahead!
This article was written by Oceans of Hope News team
|
