VOYAGE SUMMARY VOYAGE SUMMARY 01 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPEDITION 04 VOYAGE INFORMATION 12. 2nd March nd April 2012

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1 Photo: Brett Yates Ushuaia - Antarctica - South Georgia - Tristan Da Cunha - Cape Town 2nd March nd April 2012 VOYAGE SUMMARY 01 VOYAGE SUMMARY 01 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPEDITION 04 VOYAGE INFORMATION 12 Dates and voyage number Travel documents and visa Flights Money This winter the 56-meter long bark EUROPA sails from Antarctic to Southern Atlantic waters again. The last trip of this season starts in Ushuaia (Argentina) and finishes in Cape Town (South Africa). During this 52-day voyage we will visit a number of remarkable areas like the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea with her many icebergs. After our visit to Antarctica we will sail towards the sub-antarctic island South Georgia with its spectacular scenery and outstanding wildlife. Furthermore we plan to visit the remotest inhabited island of the world: Tristan da Cunha. Here, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, lives a small community on top of an active volcano. Our voyage ends in the South African capital Cape Town. This voyage is an adventure for all nature and sailing lovers. The places where we land offer a remarkable wildlife with unique species, sometimes in surprising quantities. Our voyage offers all nature lovers a Printing errors and rates subject to change.

2 02 Photo: Ruud Blokzijl, 2009

3 special opportunity to meet with some of the most unspoiled environment of this world. The Southern Atlantic Ocean is infamous for its roughness, hence the names: Roaring Forties, Furious Fifties and Screaming Sixties corresponding with the degrees of latitude. Sailing from island to island may take around 10 days and you will be able to experience all the aspects of seaman s life, including watch keeping, climbing the masts and classic navigation. The expedition will start from Ushuaia, the most southern city of the world. From the Beagle Channel we set sail for the Drake Passage, infamous among sailors worldwide. After passing the Antarctic convergence zone, the ship sails between the icebergs to the South Shetland Islands. We cast anchor near two islands, one of which is the spectacular Deception Island, an active imploded volcano (caldera). We sail through Neptune s Bellows into the caldera and walk on the steaming black beaches. We then sail towards the Antarctic Peninsula and on to the Weddell Sea. The Weddell Sea is covered with icebergs and is bordered at the south by the large Larsen and Ronne Ice Shelf, where large icebergs break away. Only very few people visit the Weddell Sea and we will stay in this area for a couple of days. Steep glaciers, walls of ice with magical shapes and surreal colours will surround the EUROPA with floating growlers on which Leopard Seals rest. Visitors on shore will often be welcomed by thousands of penguins. On earlier voyages many Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and even Orcas (Killer Whales), came swimming alongside the ship full of curiosity. From the Weddell Sea we set sail for South Georgia. The predominant westerly winds guarantee good sailing. After a week the sub Antarctic island South Georgia comes into sight. The helm grass on the coast of South Georgia provides ideal shelter for Fur Seals and Elephant Seals. We will anchor here for a week in different bays surrounded by mountains, glaciers, beaches and steep cliffs, inhabited by albatrosses and thousands of penguins, including the King Penguin. We ll find the remains of a former whaling station at Grytviken and see the grave of Shackleton, one of the most heroic pole travellers. It is an old tradition to drink a glass of whisky near his grave. After leaving South Georgia we head out to open sea again for 10 days, sailing to Tristan da Cunha. Time for some classic sailing on board of this beautiful ship. In sailing the EUROPA, teamwork is the keyword. On board you learn the names of the hundreds of different lines and 30 sails. Everybody will experience the voyage differently; The horizon will sail with the ship day after day, Wandering Albatrosses, dolphins who play in the bow wave, a waxing and waning moon, etcetera. After ten days the tiny islands of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago in the middle of the southern Atlantic Ocean come into sight. We will anchor here for a few days. Let s hope that the swell isn t big enough to prevent a safe landing. Three hundred people live on this most isolated spot in the world. They share the 11 square kilometres wide island with huge amounts of sea birds. The Grey-headed and Yellow-nosed Albatross are commonly seen. But Rockhopper Penguins breed here too. We will set sail for the final part of the expedition towards Cape Town. Nice sailing again with the westerly blowing circumpolar winds from behind. Ten days later we arrive in Cape Town where seals are bathing in the sunshine or laying on the cays. It is time to say goodbye to the EUROPA and to life on board. It will be difficult to get used to the normal life again. 03

4 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPEDITION 04 These voyage details are partly based on experiences of previous expeditions which EUROPA undertook to Antarctica, South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha. In putting together this year s itinerary we have included the most impressive places we have visited in the past. In 2009 we discovered the Weddell Sea on the eastside of the Antarctic Peninsula for the first time. This year we continue our exploration of this area. This description is only an example of what the voyage may look like. In the past it has happened that we were not able to visit a location. Waiting for better weather doesn t work, it would only mean we would run out of time later during the voyage. It is important to realize that our day-today activities will depend on the wind, weather, ice and regulations. We aim to give you an idea of what to expect of your voyage. We hope that this helps you decide to sign up for a voyage from Ushuaia to Cape Town on EUROPA. Day 1 Signing on in Ushuaia You are welcome on board at five p.m. The EUROPA is moored at the pier Puerto Comercial in Ushuaia. It is highly recommended that Photo Hajo Olij, 2004 you arrive in Ushuaia 1 day before embarkation, keeping room for flight delays or late arrival of your luggage. In this small town, also known as El Fin del Mundo The End of the World, you can make beautiful hikes in the mountains and National Park and you will meet travellers who have just returned from an expedition or from any other part of South America to come to the most southern city of the world. A short taxi ride will take you from the centre of Ushuaia to the harbour. After signing on and taking your luggage to your cabin, you will enjoy your first meal on board. The captain and the expedition leader will inform you about the plans. Usually we will stay in port overnight, but occasionally we already depart during the night. Day 2 Casting off at Ushuaia During the morning, we cast off our mooring lines and sail past two rocky islets covered with sea lions, the Islas de Lobos. Huge male Sea Lions lie around, keeping a watchful eye on their harem, protecting them from invaders or rivals. Here we also see Fur Seals, proudly grasping their prey. Blue-eyed Shags take up every free metre of space. It s packed. The first mate shows you how to put on the life jackets and introduces you to the many lines on board. Photo Ad Vermeulen

5 Twenty miles further we pass Isla Martillo, where a rookery of Magellanic Penguins nests in holes and under tree trunks and branches. Then we sail between steep mountains with snow-covered peaks out of the Beagle Channel, with the average westerly winds probably under square sails. During the night we head southwards along the sheltered coast of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) and pass the light of Cape Horn. Day 3 till 5 Drake Passage The crossing of the Drake Passage from the lighthouse on Cape Horn is approximately 450 nautical miles. The seas around Cape Horn have the reputation of being stormy, but in between the lows they are calm. The wind varies from southwest to northwest; it should, therefore, be possible to have a good crossing under sail. Cape Petrels, White-chinned Petrels and albatrosses are our companions. Albatrosses are the best equipped for a permanent stay at sea. Their territory is the open ocean. They love windy regions, because they are unable to fly with little wind. During the crossing everybody can help the crew to steer, set, shorten, take away and stow sails. Day 6 Drake Passage and Icebergs in Antarctica waters As we sail south, the likelihood of seeing icebergs increases. Large ice plateaus are visible on the radar, but sometimes smaller ones are not; we keep a good lookout so that we avoid them. Fortunately, the nights are short in the latitudes of 59 to 61 south. It is amazing when we see the brilliant white shapes of the floating icebergs on the horizon. They are huge, and very high! This is the first sign that we are really approaching the great white mass of Antarctica! Day 7 Arrival at the South Shetland Islands In between the islands we already have a good chance to see whales. Especially Humpback Whales are spotted on a regular basis in this area. The South Shetland Islands are of volcanic origin and the area is still volcanically active. The islands consist of dark rock with steep cliffs. A beautiful example is Edinburgh Hill, a steep cliff that rises vertically out of the water. Close up, we can see that it is made up of basalt, solidified magma from the centre of a volcano. Pressure from inside the earth has pushed the plug to this height, but so far the volcano has not erupted. Of course, we want to visit the South Shetland Islands, but our final destination depends on various circumstances. Possible landing spots are Barrientos Island, Half Moon Island and Hannah Point. All these islands have an impressive wildlife with penguins, seals and various species of petrels. The crew will take us ashore with the dinghies. Photo Thijs Heslenfeld,

6 Photo: H. Semeins, 2004 Photo: René Koster, 2005 Photo: Hajo Olij, Everywhere around the ship we see penguins porpoising through the water and the smell of the penguins reaches us even before we land. We share the beaches with the Gentoo- and Chinstrap Penguins and maybe a Weddell Seal or Fur Seal. Day 8 Deception Island This island is an imploded active volcano, also called a caldera. The EUROPA will sail through a small opening called Neptune s Bellows into the volcanic crater and will drop anchor in Whalers Bay, near the ruins of a whaling station. These buildings were also used as a base for research work, but in 1969/70 several stations were destroyed by a volcanic eruption. You can walk to Neptune s Window and enjoy the magnificent view where the rim of the crater steeply glides back into sea. It s also an impressive panorama to look back into the crater. A couple of miles further into the crater thermal currents rise. Sometimes, when the tide is right, those who wish may bathe in the geothermically warmed waters. Water temperatures can rise up to 50 degrees Celsius, while land temperatures are below zero. Day 9 From Deception Island to the Antarctic Sound From Deception Island we sail to the edge of the Antarctic Peninsula into the Antarctic Sound. In this strait, named after the ship of the Swedish Nordenskjöld expedition in 1902, we will see many icebergs floating from the Weddell Sea. Today might be a good day to stay on deck and watch for fins and tails as the area is very popular with Humpback Whales. Day 10 till 13 Islands of the Weddell Sea We sail into the rough and less visited part of Antarctica, the Weddell Sea. We operate completely in the style of the old expeditions and it will be easy to let your thoughts go back to these epic times. Especially during these days it is important to let your adventurous side speak. As the natural elements have a large influence on this part of our voyage we will need to stay flexible. Depending on the weather and ice conditions the expedition leader and

7 captain will find the best islands to anchor, land or the best places to sail with the dinghies between the icebergs. We see Gentoo-, Adelieand Chinstrap Penguins. And if we are lucky we might even see an Emperor penguin. Furthermore we see Weddell Seals, Leopard Seals and Elephant seals. From deck we will look for the large black fins of the Killer Whale and hope to spot the Snow Petrel. The Weddell Sea is known as the iceberg factory. Large icebergs break off the continental ice shelf and drift away on the currents. Don t forget to get up early and see this magnificent view of the icebergs at sunrise. The sea was named after James Weddell, a British sailor and sealer. During a trip in 1823 he not only discovered the Weddell Sea, but also the Weddell Seal. Many of us have heard the incredible story of Sir Ernest Shackleton. In this area his ship the Endurance was crushed by ice and sank. After a rough journey across the ice and water in small sloops Shackleton and his men landed on Elephant Island. As there was no help to be found on this island, Shackleton decided to sail to South Georgia in the James Caird, one of the small boats. In the evening of the 13th day we leave the Weddell Sea and sail past Elephant Island towards South Georgia. The second part of the ocean crossing has begun and we are back in the watch system. Land has disappeared. It only exists as a line on the sea chart. We have time to absorb everything we have seen in Antarctica, to let it all settle in. The distance to South Georgia is 800 nm. The strong westerly winds guarantee a fast crossing. If all goes well, we will need about 7 days for this part of the trip. Day 14 till day 20 In the wake of the James Caird to South Georgia Every day at sea is different. We will learn to see the difference between the Black browed Albatrosses and Light-mantled Albatrosses. Nature decides the daily work on board. It forces us to adjust the self-image of the human being and that can be very refreshing. Then, on the horizon the ice-covered mountains of this Sub Antarctic Island will be visible. The rough sea we have just crossed is the Scotia Sea, that was crossed in a spectacular way 90 years 07

8 08 ago. Shackleton left Elephant Island for South Georgia with a handful of men in the sloop James Caird. After 17 days he landed on the south coast. Once ashore they had to undertake a long walk across the island to the whaling stations on the other side of the island. It was only after several attempts they were able to return from South Georgia to Elephant Island to rescue the crew. Day 21 Elsehul From today on we will have a week to explore the rough landscape of the island. South Georgia offers many spectacular places to land. Photo: F. Bak 2003 Our first landing place is Elsehul. Among the steep cliffs we hope to spot the entrance of the Inner Bay to anchor. Grey-headed Albatrosses nest on a peninsula between the tussock grass. Here we are able to land with the small boats on a beach where friendly looking Elephant Seals and unfriendly, growling Fur Seals welcome us. We have to keep a safe distance, the Fur Seals can be aggressive. On land we find an abandoned hut of the British Antarctic Survey, which is now occupied by a rookery of Gentoo Penguins. Day 22 Bay of Isles Tens of thousands of King Penguins live in the Bay of Isles. Hopefully we can make a landing still today on Prion Island. Together with Albatross Island, this island is an important breeding ground for the Wandering Albatross. Albatrosses lay their eggs in the middle of the summer; their chicks stay from December, until the next spring on their nests. These birds need an open area of 30 square metres around the nest for taking off and landing. While visiting Prion Island we will follow the even more strict rules to protect these delicate birds. Dag 23 Shackleton walk Shortly after sunrise we will heave anchor and leave the Bay of Isles, setting sail for the peaks and glaciers surrounding Fortuna Bay. The crew will shuttle us onto the beach where we will land between King Penguins and fur seals. While the ship sails out, we will begin our heavy walk to Stromness, the last part of Shackleton s epic hike across South Georgia. At the highest point of the trek we have a marvellous view-over Crean Lake, the bay, and the Shackleton Glacier. Then we will descend into Stromness Bay along the famous Shackleton waterfall. In the distance we ll see EUROPA sailing into the bay to meet us. The once busy whaling station is now overtaken by fur seals and reindeer. Day 24 Mooring by Grytviken The EUROPA will rest a day in the harbour, moored at the jetty in the Cumberland East Photo: F. Bak 2003 Bay. Close to where we are moored there is lots to see and do. It s

9 just a short stroll to the deserted Norwegian Grytviken whaling station. This whaling station is of great historical value. In 1991 parts of the station were cleared and a small whaling museum was opened, where relics and memorabilia from the Antarctic whaling industry are preserved. Its well worth to visit the romantic whaling church dating from 1913, and at the end of the bay we find the grave of the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, peacefully guarded now by a colony of sea elephants. When we walk around here we meet many seabirds, penguins, fur seals, and elephant seals. Day 25 Ocean Harbour One of the most beautiful shipwrecks is in Ocean Harbour. She is a fully rigged ship and was one of the first to be built in steel. We will drop our small boats and have a closer look. The Bayard was constructed in 1864 in Liverpool and in her we clearly see the conversion from wood to steel built ships. In that time many people didn t believe in modern steel. Other wrecks in South Georgia include the Brutus (1883) in Prince Olav Harbour and the wooden Loise in Grytviken. In Grytviken we also find some whalers, but these ships are from a much more recent date. Currently Blue eyed shag gratefully use this industrial monument as a place to built there nest. Ashore between the wallowing elephants seals we find an old locomotive which was used by the whalers to transport tran oil and other cargo back and forth between the station and the dock. Day 26 Cooper Bay In this bay at the south-eastern point of South Georgia we are going to try to get close to rookeries of Macaroni Penguins. They nest at the bottom of steep cliffs and can be watched and Photo: F. Bak

10 photographed quite easily. We will probably also come across various small colonies of Chinstrap Penguins, one of the few colonies of its kind on South Georgia. 10 Day 27 till day 36 Return to the ocean It is time to leave the sub-antarctic paradise. Over 1400 NM to Tristan da Cunha lie ahead of us. We have scheduled ten days to get there. The watches start again. Different circumstances; the sea, the weather and life on a Tall Ship make you get to know the people on board very well. The life ashore you normally lead seems far away behind the horizon. Together you will form an identity casually called the crew but which will be different every voyage and carries its own atmosphere. On the Southern Ocean the winds blow continuously. These seas have the reputation of being stormy, seamen speak about the Roaring Forties and the Furious Fifties. The favourable wind varies from South westerly to North westerly. When the barometer drops, a depression is approaching and we will have to roll up and take in sail. The crew is alert and stand by for steering, reefing, furling, setting and taking in the sails. Tired and maybe even cold after an active watch on deck, you will sleep like a log. Not a single sound of wind, water or sails, ropes or iron can keep you awake. Day 37 Tristan da Cunha comes into sight Before reaching Tristan, we will sail between Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island. With steep cliffs rising from the ocean, its quite clear why the latter received its name. Apart from breeding Rockhopper penguins, Nightingale is abundant with petrels, shearwaters and albatrosses such as the Yellow nosed and the Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. It is almost certain that birders onboard will spot them around the ship. In the distance, the central volcanic peak of Tristan rises to a height of 2010 metres out of the ocean. We anchor a few days near the settlement Edinburgh. Humans do not inhabit the other islands of the Tristan Group: Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, Middle Island, Stoltenhoff Island and Gough Island. Day 38/39 At anchor near Tristan da Cunha We prepare our zodiac to go ashore; at least when the swell is not too big. Tristan is well known Tristan da Cunha for big swells and it is not always possible to land. So far we have managed to go ashore each time, but we might have to be patient. You won t find an airport here. The remotest inhabited island can only be reached by ship. Usually ships call about six times a year. The Island was discovered 500 years ago and has a rich history ever since. Edinburgh was settled by some British navy men and several shipwrecked sailors. Nowadays about 300 people of their descendants make up a small society.

11 There is a small museum, a pub, 2 churches, a craft shop, a post office and a supermarket. The islanders live off potatoes, sheep, stamps sale and crayfish fishery. Crayfish or rocklobster is delicacy in South Africa, the US and Japan. Whilst on the island its definitely worth trying a crayfish sandwich the local women have on offer. Outside one can walk to the lava fields of the 1961 eruption or all the way to the potato patches and back ending the day with a refreshing beer in the pub. Day 40 Leaving from Tristan da Cunha After saying goodbye to the local people we hoist the sails for our last crossing on this voyage. Sea life starts again. Day 41 till day 50 Crossing The last part of the expedition to Cape Town is 1510 NM. The predominant winds are still westerly. Everyone is adjusted to the ship and experienced with the sea in his own way. The ocean is different for the birdwatcher, the biologist, clerk, or sailor. It depends on what you are looking for. The sea is a sea from enthusiastic stories, a sea that you deal with carefully and with respect. We come close to the Cape of Good Hope and now we sometimes see other ships on the horizon. Day 51 Mooring in Cape Town We will berth in the harbour of Cape Town. Seals are playing and taking a sunbath on the piers. Day 52 Disembarkation Cape Town It is time to say goodbye to each other and the ship. At 9 a.m. we sign off. The return home has started and the EUROPA begins a new chapter. The ship shall go to the shipyard for maintenance. After a long ocean voyage many memories remain. Memories of a cold but favourable wind, long-distance birds on deck, groups of dolphins, petrels staying over for one night, skuas waiting for something to eat, a humpback waving farewell with his tail, a growing moon, but more than anything, memories of a group of people sailing this deep water sailing ship together to another continent. All the impressions make up an unforgettable experience for everybody. Some of you will have caught the polar fever. 11

12 VOYAGE INFORMATION Dates and voyage number Voyage Embarkation disembarkation ANT nd March, 2012 on 5 PM 22nd April 2012 on 9 AM 6900,- p.p. for a 4/5 persons cabin 7900,- p.p. for a two person cabin. to close to your disembarkation time. We recommend you to book your flight earliest the evening on the day of disembarkation or the next day. We can recommend a visit to Cape Town to everyone and possibly you can consider to stay for a few days before heading back home. We kindly ask you to send us your flight schedule to inform the ship about your arrival- and departure time. 12 The fare is including meals, tea, coffee. The price excludes the transfer to Ushuaia and from Cape Town, travel insurance, cancellation insurance, airport formalities and drinks from the bar on board, landingfees South Georgia GBP 158 p.p. Travel documents and visa It is your personal responsibility to have the right travel documents and visa for each country you visit during your stay on EUROPA. In any doubt please contact your local embassy or consulate. Useful website Argentina: gov.ar. Click on extranjeros and press the red button for English. Then choose travelling to Argentina for basic information on documents. Flights We advise people who are flying from another country than the Netherlands to arrange their own transfer to and from the ship. Normally, if you book your flight in your own country it is cheaper. If you do have trouble finding a good transfer we might be able to help you. As mentioned, please plan to arrive one day before embarkation. Also your flight leaving Cape Town can at best be arranged not Money During this trip you will only need some money for souvenirs and some drinks on board. Allowance should be made for personal expenditure during occasional on-shore visits. In Ushuaia there are plenty of ATM-machines. The maximum withdrawal is around 900 Argentinian Pesos/ 200,- per day. On shore in Ushuaia you can pay in Dollars or Pesos. On South Georgia it is only possible to pay in cash (pound sterling, euro or USD). Maybe you will find a nice book or some postcards as a souvenir. On Tristan da Cunha it is only possible to pay in cash for your souvenirs, postcards, lobster or a drink in the pub. Only pound sterling, euro and South African Rand are accepted.

13 Photo: Bark EUROPA on her way to Cape Horn All beverages served at the ship s bar must be paid in cash with Euros or US Dollars at the end of the voyage. It is also possible to pay in South African Rand which you can get from ATM-machines in Cape Town. We do not accept any creditcards. Contact the shipping company Rederij Bark EUROPA B.V. Att. Mrs Marijke Jäger / Mrs. Liza de Kurver Phone: (+) Fax: (+) info@barkeuropa.com Website: Correspondence address: Rederij bark Europa B.V. P.O. Box NL-3001 KD Rotterdam The Netherlands Visiting address: Rederij Bark Europa B.V. o/b Salvator Leuvehaven 75 TO Rotterdam The Netherlands

14 Photo: Marica van der Meer 2010