Kirkwall to Torshavn (Faeröer)
Departure from Kirkwall (July 18, 2024)
After a short stop in Kirkwall, we had to depart again because we had good weather for crossing. We didn’t want to let that opportunity pass us by. So, we spent the morning in Kirkwall and left around 3:30 PM for Tórshavn.
Between the Orkney Islands
As we sailed out of the harbor, we saw two cruise ships again. One was docked at the pier, and the other was anchored in the bay. We sailed between the beautiful islands of Orkney. It required some serious navigation because there were not many buoys, and there were shallow areas and large underwater rocks here and there. Around 5 PM, we entered the open sea.
Gift shortly after departure
We left the North Sea behind and encountered the Atlantic Ocean. We noticed this because of the long waves. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Bruce spotted a pod of orcas directly ahead of us. We maintained our course but reduced our speed. We came closer and eventually, at less than 30 meters, they playfully passed us by. Luckily, we were able to take some beautiful photos.
The evening falls
After a good meal, we prepared for the night. There wasn’t much traffic besides a few fishing boats. At 10:15 PM, there was a beautiful sunset with a green flash. In the distance, we passed a few oil platforms.
The next day (July 19, 2024)
The night remained clear for a long time until we sailed into the mist. Visibility became poor, and unfortunately, the light that was visible beyond the horizon disappeared as well. This lasted for about two hours. We had little wind, around 2 Bft. The waves were still long and therefore not bothersome. Additionally, the DMS stabilizers provided good stabilization. The mist cleared, and around 3:30 AM, it became light again. For the first time on this trip, our sonar depth meter could no longer measure the depth. It stopped at around 1500 ft. According to the chart, it was at least 3200 ft.
Morning
At 9:30 AM, the Faroe Islands appeared. They were somewhat hidden in the low-hanging clouds. We saw more and more birds, such as puffins, Manx shearwaters, and gannets.
Arrival in Tórshavn
At 12:30 PM, we sailed into the harbor of Tórshavn. There wasn’t much traffic. One ferry left the harbor before we wanted to enter. We found a nice spot close to the city center. All in all, another successful crossing. The next stop will be Iceland, but the departure date is still dependent on the weather.
For those who want to follow us, you can do so via Marine Traffic. Our MMSI number is 232044857.
