Another day of preparations with the boathouse crew has come to a successful close as we get ready for our upcoming voyage. We spent the day practicing rowing Naddoddur in the fjord before bringing it into the boathouse for some final reinforcements. The boathouse team repurposed an old sail to create a sturdy shelter at the bow, which will serve as our sleeping cabin during the trip. Designed to accommodate just two people, this space will be crucial as we face long days, limited sleep, and constant watch shifts.
In the afternoon, Bergur took us to purchase additional supplies, including extra medicine and gear. I decided to invest in a second knife to attach to my sailing pants, ensuring quick access in case of an emergency such as a capsize. If that situation arises, being able to cut the lifeline from my lifejacket could be life-saving, preventing the risk of being dragged by the boat in extreme weather conditions.
The Faroe Islands community continues to embrace us warmly. Everywhere we go, people recognize us and wish us a safe voyage. The extensive media coverage we’ve received is raising awareness of Viking and shipbuilding culture, which we hope will inspire future generations to preserve these traditions.
Our departure is scheduled for Saturday morning, and we’re anticipating a challenging journey across the North Sea. The wind is currently in our favor, and the weather models are consistent, though the conditions won’t be particularly calm. We’ve stocked up on seasickness medicine just in case, and Saeny the Red and I placed a special order for for sunny weather as we embark on this adventure.
In the evening, Andy conducted a thorough safety briefing, emphasizing the importance of speed and practicality in marine situations. He covered essential topics such as what to do if the boat capsizes, and how to correctly secure your life jacket so you can breathe during extreme conditions; with strong winds creating spray directly above the water and preventing the possibility of breathing even if your head is above water, proper life jacket protocol is key to survival. We certainly are not expecting to encounter any situations like these, but it is important to prepare for any scenario, and we are fully prepared now.
Tomorrow is our final day of preparations, so this will be the last blog before the trip. We’ll need all hands on deck to ensure the boat is fully ready. On Saturday morning, the local community will gather to see us off, with a rumored trumpeter set to play a send-off tune—a fitting start to our challenging voyage.
I’ll leave you with the words of Helge, one of the boathouse men: “Remember, you are going in the spirit of the great Viking, Naddoddur.”
And so we are.
Signing off for now.
Your Loyal Viking Archaeologist and Official Stowaway,
Karla