Passage Logs
Andy Schell
ICEBEAR Offshore // "Iceberg, right ahead!"

Seeing the ice in clear skies was a hell of a reward for the heavy weather yesterday. Thus far we’ve stopped to admire two big bergs from close range, bringing in ICEBEAR under power (the wind, after all that fuss, shut down completely around 1200 noon as we rounded Cape Race) to within a hundred yards or so. I put the drone up to get a bird’s eye view, and the crew stopped to admire the beauty of nature’s most striking sculpture. Both bergs we stopped for had at some point in their decay rolled, for the tops of them were pure white and smooth as marble, highlighted in spots by deep turquoise cracks where they’d broken apart and re-frozen during their lifespan.

ICEBEAR Offshore // "Iceberg, right ahead!"
Andy Schell
Video of Wilson the Minke Whale

This has been all over my Facebook page the past couple of days, thanks to Kevin King, who crewed with us and took the footage. When the whale first approached, we were in awe, and just enjoyed his company. Kevin wanted to film right away, but I kind of discouraged him - if you're always behind the camera, you can't appreciate what's right in front of you. But the whale kept coming back! I was afraid jamming the camera down in the water might scare him off (he thinking it might be a harpoon!), but eventually we gave it a go. I think it was worth it! 

Video of Wilson the Minke Whale
Andy Schell
One Day in St. Croix

This was written yesterday, posted today (Monday). Photos below.

We arrived into St. Croix yesterday afternoon after what I think was probably the easiest passage I’ve ever done. We sailed on starboard tack the whole way, broad reaching in anywhere from 8-25 knots, and only motoring for one hour, through a pretty calm spot when the sails were banging around and we had to roll up the jib.

One Day in St. Croix
Andy Schell
USCG Issues Marine Alert in Wake of Salty Dawg ...

I will have WAY more to say about this in due time, but wanted to post it immediately. Thanks to Dave for sharing - you know who you are. Might we have finally reached a tipping point when it comes to taking offshore sailing seriously, instead of a ride to warmer weather?

USCG Issues Marine Alert in Wake of Salty Dawg Rally rescues
Andy Schell
Simplicity v. Technology on the Ocean Sailing ...

I just had an interesting email exchange with a friend whose in the (years-long) process of outfitting his boat for extended ocean cruising. The boat is similar to Arcturus, and we have similar ideas about things, and somehow got in touch a few years back. Anyway, we've had several of these types of exchanges. I won't say who it is out of respect for his privacy, but I want to publish my response to his latest email about rigging, sails and engines. I'll preface each section with what I'm about to discuss, but won't include anything specific that he's emailed me. What's your take?

Simplicity v. Technology on the Ocean Sailing Boat

COVID-19

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Refits and Reflections from Annapolis // How the Hell do we Move Forward?!

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Refits and Reflections from Annapolis // How the Hell do we Move Forward?!

I’m in a reflective mood tonight, re-reading John Kretschmer’s Sailing a Serious Ocean and reminding myself why I wanted to go ocean sailing in the first place. John’s writing is what inspired me down this career path, and anytime I get overly stressed about our business I pickup one of his books and do a reset. I’ve been thinking about all the miles we’ve sailed on ISBJORN since buying her in 2015. Over 40,000 and counting, from 10º north in the Caribbean to 80º north in the High Arctic, and some of my all-time favorite landfalls in between. Horta. Lunenburg. St. Pierre & Miquelon. Bermuda. Lagos. Marstrand. Stockholm. Lofoten. Ile Fourche. Bequia. So many places, and such a cool boat…

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ICEBEAR WINS FIRST LEG OF THE SPIRIT OF BERMUDA CHARITY RALLY 

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ICEBEAR WINS FIRST LEG OF THE SPIRIT OF BERMUDA CHARITY RALLY 

First in to the finish at St George's at 10:31 Friday night was Andy Schell's Swan 59 Icebear skippered by Sean Westoby, followed by Hank Schmitt's Swan 48 Avocation at 3:06 PM on Saturday, then fellow North leg competitor Alessandro Pagani double-handing with Anthony Johnson on his Spirit 47 Luna at 8:35 PM, with Andy Schell's Swan 48 Isbjorn skippered by Vincent Matiola crossing the finish on Saturday night at 9:56 PM.

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Beating to Bermuda // ISBJORN Offshore

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Beating to Bermuda // ISBJORN Offshore

Isbjörn is on a merry beat across the north Atlantic with the wind on her nose and a healthy crew. It’s been an upwind slogfest since lifting anchor outside of Maryland’s Solomon Islands, where we rafted up with Icebear on the 4th of July. We’ve traded the blistering heat and ridiculous humidity of the Chesapeake Bay summer for salty air and a cool offshore breeze - coming straight off of Bermuda, of course. But we’re thankful!

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SPIRIT OF BERMUDA RALLY // Landfall Imminent for ICEBEAR & the Fleet

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SPIRIT OF BERMUDA RALLY // Landfall Imminent for ICEBEAR & the Fleet

Facing headwinds on their final approach to the finish, Andy Schell's Swan 59 Icebear skippered by Sean Westoby is poised to be the first entry to cross the finish line in the inaugural Spirit of Bermuda Charity Rally organized by the East End Mini Yacht Club (EEMYC) and the Sailing Yacht Research Foundation (SYRF). This team sailed the West leg of the course starting off the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on Monday afternoon at 1500 EDT, and with 28 miles to go at 1600 EDT, their anticipated finish time in St George's is for just before 9:00 PM.

Bermuda & Back // SPIRIT OF BERMUDA Rally July 6

Bermuda & Back // SPIRIT OF BERMUDA Rally July 6

Just last week a new rally in conjunction with Bermuda Tourism was announced, as both a fundraiser for the SPIRIT OF BERMUDA tallship, and as a way to get boats offshore who were otherwise supposed to have raced in the A2B (like us), or the Newport to Bermuda Race. This is good news.

We have committed to join the event with both ICEBEAR & ISBJORN, IF we can get enough crew to fill both boats.

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Skeleton Crew // ICEBEAR & ISBJORN at-sea Report

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Skeleton Crew // ICEBEAR & ISBJORN at-sea Report

We had a perfect start on Sunday evening when we pushed off from St. Thomas. Steady trades made for a happy ICEBEAR and happy crew. Matt and Layton made a delicious quinoa salad and we reached along making 7 or 8 knots all night. Alex and I stood the 2100-0000 watch that night and saw an epically bright, big, waning moon rise. We enjoyed a bit more sailing on Monday morning. During our 0600-0900 watch we shook out the reef in the main and added the staysail. As the day warmed up the breeze died out, so we fired up the iron sails. So glad to have had ~ 20 hours of good easy sailing to start us off.

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Off to Sea Once More // Escape from the Caribbean

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Off to Sea Once More // Escape from the Caribbean

By ICEBEAR Mate Emma Garschagen

How fast the world can change! Just a week ago, Alex and I were leaving home in Boulder, CO to get on a plane. Having been in lockdown for the past two and a half months, hardly seeing even close family and friends, we made the decision to take two flights and stay in a hotel. The change felt drastic, but the more we thought it over, the more we knew we had to go meet ICEBEAR in the Caribbean to sail her north to Annapolis. The trip was just too good to pass up!

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NORTHBOUND // Escape from the Caribbean // COVID-19 Update

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NORTHBOUND // Escape from the Caribbean // COVID-19 Update

Today's the day. As I type this, both ISBJORN & ICEBEAR are at-sea...well, kinda. ICEBEAR, under skipper Sean Westoby, is at-sea for real, sailing north from Grenada towards USVI, while ISBJORN is on a short motor-boat right from BVI over to USVI having just be re-launched and commissioned on Friday at Nanny Cay Marina. They'll rendezvous in USVI and as early as this weekend, weather permitting, sail northbound for the Chesapeake and home waters of Annapolis!

2020 Sailing Passages POSTPONED // COVID-19 Update May 6

2020 Sailing Passages POSTPONED // COVID-19 Update May 6

I think I made this pretty clear in the last email, but just as a followup and to make things official, we have postponed our entire sailing calendar, for both boats, by a full year. A few of you had asked questions specific to this - for example, one trans-Atlantic crewmember on ISBJORN found that he's able to move his flights and hotels in the Azores to 2021 quite easily - so we thought we'd address it specifically to everyone.

COVID-19 // April 29 Update

COVID-19 // April 29 Update

Another week in lockdown. Some good news for us - we're transferring our personal lockdown from the hospital to the farm house tomorrow! After nearly 8 weeks since Axel was born, we get to take him home. THANKS to everyone who emailed in messages of congratulations and support - Mia & I had a really nice time reading all of that positivity.

We've just today received a couple emails about our plans with the boats now, as dates fast approach. Yesterday was supposed to have been the joining date for the crews sailing BVI-Bermuda. Alas here we are, no sailing happening anytime soon....

COVID 19 // April 7 Update

COVID 19 // April 7 Update

Another week living in a COVID-19 world, and another week of storm clouds on the horizon and uncertainty in the future. These weekly corona updates are becoming a habit!

Before we dive into it, I want to acknowledge and thank everyone who has emailed a reply - I have only responded to a few of you, but trust that I have read ALL of them, and will respond where necessary in due time. So thanks for your patience.

COVID-19 // March 30 Contingency Update

COVID-19 // March 30 Contingency Update

Well, things are not looking good for ocean sailing right now, are they!? This will be another quick update going out to all current, former and future 59º North sailing crew, to keep you guys informed as to how we're handling the ongoing novel coronavirus crisis. There's a lot we don't know yet, and won't know for some time. Here's what I can tell you as of today, March 30:

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COVID-19 // March 19 Contingency Update

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COVID-19 // March 19 Contingency Update

Here’s the latest email that was sent out today, March 19, to ALL 59º North crew, past, present & future on how we’re planning around the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We think this will affect not only 59º North, but the entire offshore sailing industry in general, regarding safety-at-sea issues once borders re-open. I have some thoughts on all of this below. Thanks, and HOLD FAST!

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COVID-19 // 59º North Contingency Planning Pt. 1

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COVID-19 // 59º North Contingency Planning Pt. 1

We’ve already been in direct communication with all the crew set to sail with us in 2020, and so far, it’s been an overwhelmingly supportive response, despite the fact that we basically just told them we have no idea what the eff is going to happen! Fun fact - neither does anybody else! So, what follows here is that first email that we sent out to 2020 crew with our thoughts on contingency plans. This was sent just three days ago on Sunday March 15 and sadly already feels outdated…just today I’ve developed a few more contingency plans, which we’ll publish on here publicly once they’ve been shared with our staff and crew.