Excerpt from Ships log: #6. FALKEN | GALAPAGOS TO MARQUESAS | BOOBIES
FALKEN
Being at sea thousands of miles from land is a vulnerable place to be at times and none more so than when the water maker decides to malfunction. Our ability to desalinate saltwater enables us to sail long distances without the need to carry arduous amounts of fresh water but the operation requires constant maintenance and supervision. It quickly becomes a consideration of survival when this system fails and reminds us of the finite nature of the essentials that we very much take for granted in day-to-day life.
Thankfully this evening, Andy and crew went about a series of maintenance tasks that resulted in a happy outcome as healthy water once again flowed through the high-pressure system and into our tanks. We would always have enough to drink but we have become used to a surplus with which we can occasionally shower and rinse our dishes after a saltwater wash. The relief across the boat was tangible as the threat of losing one of our few luxuries was eventually overcome.
As we meet our daily challenges, we are rewarded by the constant delight of surfing down impressive Pacific swells in the sunshine, and I think I speak for many when I say how much I look forward to the cooler night air as the evenings draw in. Our daily ritual of ‘glums and glows’ during dinner are a time to unite the crew between the watch systems, to air our challenges and share our highlights.
Today, we have taken on a new crew member in the form of a Boobie that we have named Barbara and who this afternoon was joined by what we can only assume to be her mate (Brian). As I type this the two birds appear to engage in some after dark activities on the aft guy which is providing much amusement for the on-watch team. It’s amazing how much appreciation we all have for our new friends and how much entertainment they have provided.
It seems that without the distractions of the wider world, it’s the simple things that bring us joy.
Oops, have to go now, apparently Barbara just pooped on Hilary’s face……..
– Emily
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Kim’s fall was a reminder to all to stay rested and hydrated. Fatigue is an enemy during long passages that can lead to mistakes and mishaps. By the next morning Kim was rested and able to rejoin Squall Team 6, but the bruises were evident.
Today (April 14th) the sun is shining brightly, and the seas have calmed. We are on a heading of 255 on a beam reach. 2 reefs in the main and 1 in the Yankee, Falken is flying. Eric fed our mascot, Barbara, a flying fish last night. Things seem to be back in order on the boat as well. No water maker drama, battery charged, no freezer drama, the boat is riding comfortably, allowing us to sleep. When the freezer went caput, Emily was determined to ensure no one got sick. She elected to throw out all the frozen food, bags of salmon, tilapia, and other items, which were pitched into the Pacific. Emily tried to manage expectations that the meals will get dodgy as the trip continued.
We are at 7 degrees latitude, which puts us squarely in the trades. At a pace of 200 NM per day, we should arrive in Hiva Oa in a little over a week from today. It has rained on our watch consistently since April 8th. Today is the 14th, our 9 AM until 12 noon has been the first dry watch since last Wednesday.
Around April 15th, we reached the halfway point in the passage. We have grown accustomed to Falken’s movement. We can tell by the sound of the surge of water on the hull that Falken is cruising along at 9 to 10 knots. Scott is still asleep after helping Andy with the Reverse Osmosis system yesterday. Now it seems to be working to Andy’s satisfaction. This is a big relief. If the membrane cleaning didn’t work, we may have had to ration water.
During our 6 PM to 9 PM watch the skies were overcast and the deck was pitch black giving the appearance of being in outer space. You could see bioluminescence in the water and our mascot, Barbara, was perched on the Yankee sheet.
Out of curiosity, Aidan emailed NOAA and found out there are no other boats in a radius of 530 miles. We have never been in such an unpopulated area of the planet. Commercial vessels provide NOAA with information on their position and conditions. Aidan reported later, after an update, that there is one ship about 450 miles away.
Our second night shift was from 3 AM until 6AM. You could see the moon and a few stars. Barbara’s webbed feet held the Yankee sheet as her tail rested on the lifeline. There was no pressure on the helm as Falken raced at 9, 10 and 11 knots. Occasionally, with a 23 mph gust, she surged to 12 knots. At this point, we steer to the feel of Falken during a set of waves and guide Falken to stay on our course of 255 degrees. Our hands are sore and raw from holding the wheel, joints are aching from the pitch of the boat.
Our crew has been sick. First Jim, then Ted sniffling, now Udo. Eric has allergies. Dennis is suffering from back pain. Emily is sick to her stomach. It is miserable in the forward cabin due to the heat, closed hatches and all the wet clothes that are hanging inside. The boat smells of sweat and stench. Poor Hillary, she just keeps laughing and smiling, but what is she really thinking?
– Kim (Crew)
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Excerpt from Ships log: #6. FALKEN | GALAPAGOS TO MARQUESAS | KIM’S BLOG
April 15, 2025, 2012 Ship’s Time | 07º 48’ S, 113º 35’ W | Sailing Wing-on-Wing
Note from Andy: Crew member Kim wrote the following blog earlier this afternoon, as I write, FALKEN is still barreling downwind, having now done three consecutive days over 225 miles! We just passed our halfway longitude, 113º 30’ W, so we’re on the downhill side of the passage now. I reminded the crew at dinner that the second half of these long trips always goes faster than the first…so stay in the moment before it’s over. Here’s Kim:
It’s Tuesday April 15th. It’s been 8 full days since we pulled Anchor in San Christobal Galapagos. So far, we have logged nearly 1600 NM and are almost halfway to the Marquesas.
There is a rhythm to life at sea guided by our Captain, Mate, and Navigator. All crew on board have a job to perform as well. An organized sailboat makes for happy crew and safe boat. We have three watch teams that take turns steering Falken in shifts of 3 hours on and 6 hours off.
Besides steering and keeping watch each shift has a set of chores. For example, the 9 am to 12 pm shift is responsible for cleaning the cabin every day. The 12 pm to 3 pm cleans the cockpit. The 6 to 9 pm watch is responsible for cleaning up after dinner. Every hour the crew on duty enters information such as distance made good, compass course, direction, speed over ground, boat speed, barometric pressure and true wind speed into the ships log. We also log our position on a paper chart. With all this activity the days and miles pass quickly.
Andy, Emily and Aidan also rotate on a schedule that ensures that they each spend time with each of the watch teams. In between monitoring the crews Andy and team ensure all FALKEN’s internal processes are adequately functioning including water supply, and power. Aidan and Andy periodically download updated weather forecasts and adjust our course and sails as needed. Emily looks after everyone on board, fills in wherever she is needed and manages all the provisions.
During dinner hour we gather for the evening meal prepared by Emily with help from Aidan and Andy and share our glums and glows. There is a sense of community and collective purpose centered on the passage.
While underway I started to listen to an audio book called “Sea People” by Christina Thompson. The book begins with an orientation and some stats on the Pacific Ocean. For starters the Pacific Ocean is 180 degrees wide and so large it can hold all the land masses on Earth with room to spare. The Pacific is the single largest feature on Earth. It’s so large that it is not possible to see both sides from space.
During our first week at sea, we have sailed through a variety of conditions starting with no wind. Then came a series of squalls. Some systems brought rain and high wind, and other systems brought rain and no wind.
This provided a great opportunity to practice skills like storm avoidance, heading up and falling off when wind speed and direction varied. We also had a lesson in patience when the wind died, and it was difficult to sail. Rather than furl in the sails and turn on the motor right away we gave it time. Sure, enough after 20 minutes the wind picked up.
At this point in the passage, we are at our farthest point from land. Andy says the nearest landfall is Easter Island nearly 1,200 miles south from us. We learned last night that the nearest ship is 470 NM away. The size of the ocean, distance from land, and ever-changing conditions are a reminder of our vulnerability.
The skills that Andy, Emily & Aidan bring to FALKEN, the discipline of maintaining the order and routine aboard ship, along with our united purpose and steady effort is what makes this journey possible.
Today was ideallic downwind sailing, with clear skies and rolling 8 to 9 ft seas. We are surrounded by the wide blue sea and scores of flying fish that provide constant entertainment.
I am feeling great respect and gratitude to all onboard FALKEN who are sharing in this amazing journey.
// Kim | FALKEN Crew
Messages:
Laura Jordan, Hi there Kim what a great blog it really lets us in to the experience of being on a boat the sailing and what a tight knit community you all are it’s awesome sending you and Scot much love X Laura
Natalie McMillan, Great Blog Post Mom!!! Love hearing all about how things are working on the boat! Happy you all finally got some wind!
Chris McMillan, Wow great blog Kimbo! We miss you tons here in Boston!
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