From Tórshavn to Húsavik
Departure from Tórshavn (July 25, 2024)
In the morning, we prepared for departure. We planned to leave Tórshavn around 11 AM, but first, we needed to refuel with diesel. We had arranged the day before for a fuel truck to come to the boat, and eventually, we took on 2,200 liters. At exactly 11:00 AM, we left the harbor of Tórshavn.
Faroe Islands
The surroundings around the Faroe Islands are stunning. We learned a lot about the nature and wildlife in the area. An interesting fact is that the Faroe Islands were used as a setting for the film Peter Pan. As we continued our journey, we encountered increasing currents, with up to 7 knots of head current at one point. Fortunately, this didn’t last long. The scenery was so beautiful, and the sea conditions were calm enough that we could fly the drone. We captured beautiful videos and photos.
DMS Stabilizers
To leave the Faroe Islands, we had to pass between two islands, where we encountered a very rough sea. Short, high waves crashed against the side of the Gecko. This provided a perfect opportunity to test our stabilization systems. Onboard, we use the DMS Magnus Master, a fully electric rotor stabilization system that operates using the Magnus effect. There is one rotor installed on both the port and starboard sides. These systems consume no more than 1.5 kW in practice, without the need to run the generator. Despite the challenging conditions, the boat remained remarkably stable.
Course to Iceland
We left the Faroe Islands behind and set a northwesterly course towards Iceland. The conditions onboard were very comfortable, despite encountering waves of around 2 meters from the south. These waves were so long that they did not affect us much. It became quiet on the AIS, though we did spot a fishing vessel.
Night at Sea
Liz had purchased three sheepskins in the Faroe Islands, one of which we used on the helm seat to keep warm during the night. Unfortunately, visibility wasn’t great, so we didn’t get to see a beautiful sunset.
The Next Day (July 26, 2024)
The calmness of the night continued into the day. The waves had changed direction, now coming from the northeast. We all took our turns on watch and made sure to rest sufficiently in between, following our 4 hours on, 8 hours off schedule.
Night at Sea
This evening was special as we crossed the Arctic Circle at 66°33’ N. This wasn’t originally planned: we were initially supposed to sail from Tórshavn to Vestmannaeyjabær, but weather conditions led us to Húsavik instead. It was a quiet night with clear skies, and because we were so far north, it never really got dark. We passed a fishing boat moving at 6 knots, heavily laden from a good catch. If we paid close attention, we could occasionally see a White Beaked dolphin appearing on the side of the Gecko.
Arrival in Húsavik
After 444 nautical miles and just over 44 hours, we arrived in Húsavik shortly after 6 AM. This journey was our longest so far but still very comfortable. The Gecko performed fantastically once again, and we are already looking forward to our next voyage.
For those who want to follow us, you can do so via Marine Traffic. Our MMSI number is 232044857.
