TECLA RETURNED SAFELY IN DEN HELDER AFTER 14 MONTHS NAVIGATING THE WORLD
On Friday 5th of June in the morning, the logger TECLA has entered the port of Den Helder. For the past 14 months, the TECLA and her crew have circumnavigated the American continent. She left on April 12, 2019 and on September 16 she announced her first major milestone of this voyage, making her way through the North West Passage. As the 312th ship, she has found her way through the ice since the first ship (roughly the same size as the TECLA) found its way through this impressive area in 1906, under the direction of Roald Amundsen.
After this passage, another great challenge lay ahead. A trip of over 6000NM to the Galapagos Islands. From there to Easter Island and round Cape Horn which was completed in 28 days. A second successful Cape Horn rounding East to West.
After the first 28-day visit to Antarctica, the journey continued with a 55-day trip through South Georgia, to South Africa, Cape Town. This trip started on February 2. The first reports about the spread of the COVID-19 virus already started to emerge. However, the impact that the virus would have on the world 55 days later was unprecedented.
The TECLA arrived in Cape Town 4 days after the stringent South African lockdown. This meant for the crew and guests of the TECLA that they were not allowed to enter the country. After a lot of pressure from embassies and a lot of help from BBZ, RBG and friends at home, they finally got permission to fly their guests home, after 3 weeks sitting in portquarantaine. Unfortunately, the new crew waiting in Cape Town ashore, was not allowed on board, so the old crew had to continue on board to their next destination in Holland.Now, with more than 7,000 NM under their belt, a short stop for fresh food and diesel in the Azores, and no permission for crew / guest changes at Horta, they arrived in Den Helder,
Willemsoord last Friday morning. The crew of the TECLA is home after 56 days at sea. Instead of complicated administrative burdens, the Port of Den Helder welcomed the TECLA friendly and with open arms, knowing how important a homeport call is for this family owned and operated beautiful sailing vessel.
Het schip heeft geen stuurhuis en, voor zover mijn kennis strekt, geen autopiloot.