Fare Well to Thee: friends and family said fare well to the Spirit of Bermuda as she prepared to head to the Azores Saturday at Albouys Point.The 23-crew members on board the Spirit of Bermuda check in to record progress on their first day at sea.
It was a very rainy day when the ship sailed away from the Island via Albouy's Point on their way to the Açores, the first stage of a 7,000-mile voyage.
Over the next two months the ship will visit the Açores, Spain and the Canary Islands before returning to Bermuda for Tall Ship Atlantic Challenge celebrations when more than 40 ships will sail into Bermuda to celebrate the Island's 400th anniversary.
The first leg of the journey will see the crew covering more than 1,800 nautical miles before reaching the Açores where the crew will explore the historical links between Bermuda and the Açores.
Bermuda Sloop founder and watch leader Alan Burland said he is looking forward to the transatlantic: "It's fabulous, it was an interesting departure leaving at night under sail. We departed Bermuda waters around midnight when my watch came on. We jibed on to a port tack and we may remain on this tack all the way to Açores."
One activity that has kept everyone alert is looking out for whales and dolphins.
Lance Corporal and Marine and Ports seaman Lawson Williams said he had a perfect first night out at sea: "It cleared up and I was on bow watch looking for ships when I heard a splash. I thought it was some flying fish but it seemed too big so I looked over and I saw three or four dolphins surrounded by phosphorescence. It was great."
The crew is made up of five Regiment soldiers Raymond Brangman, John Cook, Milen Simons, Sanchez Smith and Mr. Williams as well as a Sea Cadet officer Jason Simons and Marine and Ports seaman Denzell Todd. There are also several trainees aboard, some as young as 16. They include Roderico Bean, Brian Bulhoes, Michael Byron, Cameron Joseph, Ambrose Gosling, Vershon Simmons.
The professional crew includes Captain Simon Colley, First Officer John O'Keeffe, Second Officer Sarah Stein, and Third Officer Mickey Berkeley, engineer Colin Kinsella, second engineer David Goulbourne and watch leader Nova Ewers.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Spirit of Bermuda.