The Azores The Azores archipelago lie about 750M west of mainland Portugal, and consist of nine islands, which seem to have a uniqueness and appeal out all of proportion to their size. Tiny, irregular pieces of land only 2335km2 in total, scattered over some 58,000km2 of ocean and hardly more than dots on the North Atlantic chart. Evidence of their active volcanic past are to found on every island, although today there are no active volcanos. Lava fields, hot and cold mineral springs, and geisers are to be explored, as is the lush flora and fauna that are in abundance, and a result of the rich fertile ground. The Islands are not on the main tourist map, although this is ever evolving, and most visitors to the islands arrive by boat, and unlike islands in the trade wind belts, the Azores can be reached from almost any direction. Throughout the Azores, it is well worth taking the time to experience the cruising area with a delightful climate, welcoming people, lovely scenery and some excellent anchorages. Classic Sailing 01872 58 00 22
The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, part of the EU, and Portuguese is spoken with a slightly different accent from island to island. Bessie Ellens base whilst here will be on Faial, which is the smallest of the three triangle islands which also include Pico and Sao Jorge. Horta marina will be the embarkation and disembarkation point, which is on the SE of the island and approximately 10km from the airport. Before you depart Faial be sure to visit Café Sport, a world famous sailors bar. From Faial the intention is to explore, but like many other archipelagos, the weather will ultimately decide the destination. A wide range of whales, dolphins and porpoises inhabit, or pass through Azorean waters, ranging from the vast fin whale, at up to 24m to the common dolphin at 2m. Best known amongst the whales, and the most likely to be seen in the vicinity, is the sperm whale. All in all the Azores promise to be a destination that you will want to return to time and time again. Classic Sailing 01872 58 00 22
Bessie Ellen Built: Plymouth 1904 Gross Registered Tonnage: 87 T Rig: gaff ketch with 8 sails Sparred Length Overall: 35.5m Length on Deck: 25.6m Beam: 6m Draft: 2.4m Crew : 4 Guest Crew: 12 Our maritime heritage - still sailing the oceans Built in 1904, Bessie Ellen is one of the last three surviving West Country trading ketches (out of a fleet of over 700) still sailing and the only one with a worldwide charter licence from the UK Marine Coastguard Agency. Bessie Ellen traded cargoes during the final era of sail when these ships were an everyday sight in the small ports and harbours throughout Europe. She continued to run cargoes under sail through both world wars until 1947. Bessie Ellen then began a new life in Denmark, where she continued to run local cargoes under motor. Her current Cornwall based owner Nikki Alford saw her potential in a Danish shipyard. With considerable determination, she managed to buy Bessie Ellen in 2000 and complete her restoration to a magnificent sailing ship once again. Classic Sailing worked with Nikki for 4 years and her voyaging from the Scillies to Morbihan and Scotland to Norway built up a loyal band of regular guest crew. The Scandinavians lured her away to the Baltic for a few years, but now she is back to stay as a British flagged vessel. Running Cargoes Under Sail for 100 years Now on the UK Core Historic Ships Register but with no intention of retiring to a museum, Bessie Ellen continues to earn her keep. Even as recently as 2010 Bessie Ellen converted her lovely saloon back to a hold space and ran wine cargoes, but now the ship is back doing what she and Nikki do best: Adventurous hands-on charter holidays where her precious cargo is any adventurous soul who wants an authentic experience of traditional ships in the best cruising grounds we can find. Lively Sailing & Plenty of Deck Space With two masts and lofty topmasts increasing her height further, Bessie Ellen has a lot of sail to play with, and it takes team work to hoist the heavy main and mizzen gaff sails. In light winds or racing she can carry topsails on both masts, and forward there are 4 headsails to tack:- Staysail, inner and out jib and jib topsail, so if you like the idea of being out on the bowsprit with the ships bow wave beneath you, then there are plenty of sails to stow out there. Bessie Ellen has fine underwater lines and is fairly shallow draught so she is surprisingly responsive under sail. Accommodation Below The heart of this tough wooden ship is the cargo hold, now an impressive communal living space, where you can lie in your bunk and still feel the huge ships timbers surrounding you, or relax in the evening with new found friends (sleeps up to 12 guest crew). You will feel part of a bygone era, but with the homely comforts of a hot and spacious shower, and freshly cooked food on the spacious tables made of wood salvaged from a Perry Orchard. The bunks down each side of this huge space have a reading light and curtains for privacy, with storage for your things in lockers under the bench seating. The floors are oak, and on sunny days in port or at anchor the cargo hold roof can be opened up to let the sun stream in. If you are taller than average then Bessie Ellen has ample headroom below decks. There is a separate galley and crew quarters.
Crewing a traditional sailing ship Bessie Ellen has 8 sails and is gaff rigged on main and mizzen masts with lofty topsails, so there is plenty to play with in order to manoeuvre this lively little ship in the narrow straits. She is an impressive vessel to steer with the big ships wheel, and you will be fully trained throughout the voyage, so don t worry if you have never sailed before. Small Professional Crew There is a generally a skipper, mate / cook and 2 deckhands, so everyone who signs up for adventure on Bessie Ellen will get plenty of hands on sailing, and we are happy to explain or involve you in the navigation. If there is any night sailing then you will be split into watches, but generally you will be at anchor overnight. There is no specific upper age limit but you do need reasonable agility and fitness as you are living on a ship that heels at an angle under sail, and the usual route ashore is by climbing down a short ladder to a ships boat. Itinerary We will try and explore as much of the archepelago as is possible taking into account the weather, and also the enjoyment of being able to go ashore and look around. The emphasis is on sailing but with enough time ashore to explore and see the diversity that each of these nine islands has to offer exploration by sail is the general idea. We don t want to rush, and will take into account your interests where possible. Weather The Azores is to a great extent governed by the Azores High, which once established offers the visitor long stretches of flat calm with gentle sea breezes. However, if it does not form or remains weak then we can expect similar to that of a British summer. Early season the wind can fluctuate, and produce some exciting sailing. So, best to prepare for a British summer, and you won t go far wrong!
Voyage Preparation for Bessie Ellen Luggage Your main piece of luggage should be a soft kit bag. A hard suitcase is NOT suitable as space is strictly limited. A small rucksack as your hand luggage could be useful later for trips ashore. Accommodation The ship has 12 bunks down the side of the ship in her massive saloon. There are curtains for each bunk and a reading light, and both top and bottom bunks are big enough to sit up and read. Being a traditional timber ship she does not have air conditioning so in peak summer or hot destinations like the Canaries the accommodation may get quite warm, but at anchor or in harbour the roof of the hold can be opened. Freshly Cooked Meals & Special Diets Three freshly cooked meals a day and non alcoholic drinks are included in the voyage price. If you are ashore for a day trip then you will have to buy your own meals. Alcoholic drinks like bottles of wine can usually be bought on board. Customers on Bessie Ellen have consistently voted the food as excellent, and it is definitely part of the experience. Coming originally from a organic farming and catering background Nikki places great importance on delicious freshly cooked food wherever the ship sails, Footwear Basically a couple of pairs of shoes with a good grip. If one gets wet then you have a spare. If you are running around on deck it is useful to have at least one pair of shoes that protect your toes e.g. trainers Lightweight walking boots or shoes might be useful alternative to trainers if you go walking in the mountains, and are fine on deck too. (there is enough storage on the ship for wellies / sailing boots if you prefer). Kit List There is bed linen / duvets pillows on board so no need to bring a sleeping bag. The ship has offshore waterproof jackets and trousers for everyone. Equipment to bring with you. Passport & travel documents and travel insurance. High factor sun- block and sunglasses are recommended. You need protection from the reflection of the sun on the water along with Sea Sickness tablets (Stugeron) if you are susceptible. A large and Small towel Swimsuit (maybe a facemask and snorkel if you have one -optional) Earplugs if you are a light sleeper Torch and spare batteries (optional) Camera and film or charger (220v on Bessie Ellen) Binoculars (optional) Waterbottle (optional) t shirts and shorts Long trousers and fleece shirts, jumper or 2 and a windproof shirt or jacket. Outdoor hill walking type clothing is great for sailing as it dries quickly. Personal Expenses; You ll need some extra money to cover drinks and souvenirs not included in the voyage price.