|
 Everyone stands a trick on the helm, takes lookout on bow watch, helps fill in the ship's deck log and help handle sail as required. There is plenty of time for informative talks given by the captain and crew about navigation, seamanship theory, rope work, history and development of square rigged ships. Today we have the benefit of modern electronic navigational aids but you might want to try your hand at using a sextant and see the principles of traditional navigation demonstrated in an authentic ocean setting.
Living by the rhythm of the watches, each day we witness the unique beauty and grandeur of the ocean. The true joy of ocean sailing is to experience the unique sense of escape and freedom that comes with having an uninterrupted horizon and knowing that land may lie hundreds and hundreds of miles away in any direction. At sea each day is unique, and the dynamic of the ocean and beauty of the skies leave a profound impression on those who experience it.
If you have a particular interest in traditional tallship sailing there is plenty of time to master the brigantine rig or become adept at working aloft in the rigging. Going up the mast is certainly not compulsory (nor is any other activity that you are not comfortable with), however it is an experience that is not available to any other type of sailing and is considered by many as one not to be missed.
 The Wandering Albatross is our constant companion in these waters in addition to the mollymawks, cape petrels, and fulmars that we shall see. Sightings of sperm whales, southern right whales and other cetaceans are logged and the data reported to various organisations around the world.
 Sighting Easter Island 2,100 miles west of the South American coast will be cause for much excitement and will mean that we have covered 4,100 miles in our passage. The arrival date will totally depend on the speed of our passage but we expect to spend about 4 days at this unique island. Much has been written about the giant stone heads, or moai and the mysterious culture of the ancient Rapa Nui, but to stand beside these monolithic carvings as their enigmatic faces look out to sea, is to understand the people’s motivations and the lessons we can learn from their demise. Guided tours can be arranged locally for a modest cost (US$18-25).
At completion of the voyage a certificate of passage is issued by the Captain's signature, testifying to the dates, mileage and seatime served as Voyage Crew aboard the ship, which can count towards commercial or yachtmaster ticket qualifications. The Captain will also endorse personal log books or celestial navigation plotting charts which count towards your sailing qualifications.
Hanga Roa, the main town on Easter Island now has at least a couple of flights a week, via Santiago, Chile and we have information available on flight connections and travel advice.
|
The opportunity to undertake a long distance blue water passage such as this under square rig is a rare, if not unique. This is primarily an ocean sailing experience across one of the great wildernesses of the world. 
Upon arriving on board you will be signed on as Voyage Crew and shown your cabin and introduced to your shipmates as the vessel makes final preparations for the journey. 
This initial track into the Southern Ocean will follow the wake of mariners of old, bound for Cape Horn. At longitude 180 deg. we will cross the International Date Line, this is traditionally marked with a tot of rum as we are obliged to set our calendars back a day! 
PRACTICAL INFORMATION 
Now famous for providing sail training adventure voyages and as the star of the BBC’s classic series "The Onedin Line", the Soren Larsen was originally one of the last cargo carrying sailing ships trading throughout Scandinavia, northern Europe and Britain. Built of oak by the Danish ship building company of 'Soren Larsen & Sons' in Nykobing Mors in northern Denmark, she carried timber, grain and general cargo from 1949 to 1972. Purchased in 1978 by her present owner Tony Davies and his family, she was taken to Colchester on the east coast of England and lovingly restored and rerigged as the graceful 19th century brigantine she is today. Captain Davies specialised in period film work and so the Soren Larsen began her working life again in early 1979 starring in "The Onedin Line". Other projects followed including "The French Lieutenant’s Woman" and "Shackleton". In 1982 she was invited to pioneer sailing for the disabled for the Jubilee Sailing Trust in Southampton before being chosen, in 1987, to be Flagship of the First Fleet Re-enactment Voyage to celebrate Australia’s Bicentennial. She led a fleet of squareriggers on an ambitious 22,000 mile voyage from Portsmouth via Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town, arriving to a tumultuous welcome in Sydney in 1988.
After a major refit in the UK at Gloucester, Soren Larsen returned home to Auckland. She established herself as 'Flagship of the City of Sails' and has won Tourism Awards for Adventure and Experience categories. This illustrious ship celebrated the Millennium with a spectacular round the world voyage, the 2000-2001 Global Odyssey, visiting 25 countries and sailing 30,000 nautical miles. This 2007 project sets out to visit the further corners of the Polynesian Triangle and visit the very best of the untouched tropical South Pacific. 
