Electrical Panel, SV Constellation

Between Home – Premier

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Nick

Six years ago I started working on a dream to sail most of the way around the world. It was very hard. I didn’t really know how to sail that well. I had no money. I was living in a country where I couldn’t speak the language. The odds were against the entire project. Nature was against it. Friends were against it. Family were against it. Pure economics were against it. So what does one do? Sail on!

In a bar one night, I met a fellow Australian. His name was Jack. I told him about this ridiculous idea I had… And a week or two later he started filming. Why not? If I failed, it would have been interesting. If it was a success, it would have been even more interesting.

Jack, with as little money as me, kept filming, and this month, two years after I finished sailing and sold my beloved boat Constellation, his film will set sail and begin a life of its own.

Unfortunately due to money, I am unable to attend, however I hope my German friends will get the opportunity to be there on my behalf. Be sure to say hello to my good friend Jack, and please buy him some rum, he needs it. It’s been a hard slog for everyone… Albeit a crazy, enjoyable, mad, wild, insane, and life affirming one. Thank you to everyone for working so hard on making this small idea, into a story which will be shared forever.

I’ve seen this film. And it is a very hard film for me to watch. It’s highly personal. It’s 95mins of Nick. I hear myself, I see myself, I see my mistakes and my weaknesses. There are many things you will learn about me as a person, and about my trip that you didn’t know before. I hope those who are able to attend will enjoy it.

For those not in Berlin, soon enough it will be available to everyone to see via the official website, (hopefully) next month. Stay tuned!

Nick.

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Sailing with Tobias Fahey

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Nick

Last week I had the great fortune of getting a sail in with Tobias Fahey, aboard his IOOD50 (International Open One Design 50), in Tasmania. This year, Tobias will be attempting to become the fastest Australian to circumnavigate the globe, singlehanded and nonstop around the great capes. The boat he will be sailing was originally built specifically for voyages such as these, designed by Graham Radford and built by infamous Australian adventurer Don Mcintyre ten years ago, as part of planned one-design circumnavigation race which unfortunately didn’t happen. Just a few weeks ago I also had the great pleasure of meeting Don in Melbourne, when he visited me at the new co-working space I built with my pal Marty. Don was flying through Melbourne (metaphorically), on a mad trip north to pickup some kind of inflatable flying boat. Don has more energy than anyone I’ve ever met, and so many great stories, one could just sit there and listen to him recall his life for hours, if not days, without closing an eye. He’s an amazing ambassador for encouraging adventure to young Australians, and everyone should take a minute out of their lives to zoom around Google and read up on his various projects and adventures, spanning oceans and frozen continents.

Sailing with Tobias was a fun experience, as I’ve never been aboard a large, highly strung offshore racing boat before, as generally I toy around on small, slow, full keeled boats where 5kts is deemed ‘fast’… Tobias is a true waterman, living in a house of his own construction over looking a beautiful bay, where he sails and catches lobster, abalone and fishes for food. A sailor, surfer, diver, and really nice person, Tobias is taking on a huge personal challenge and dream to depart this October, at the young age of just 26. Take a look at his website, send some words of encouragement, and watch his undertaking unfold at tobiasfahey.com.au.

Below are a few photos, and a short sailing vignette as we sailed around Frederick Henry Bay, not far from Hobart.

Nick.

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Jarle Andhøy – BORN FREE

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Nick

The sailing vessel Berserk II, tragically lost with three crew members last year, carried the phrase BORN FREE on its mainsail. Scrawled in black spray paint, Jarle Andhøy piloted her from the Caribbean to the North West Passage, and onto Antarctica. The entire journey was fraught with bureaucratic setbacks – They’ve been after Andhøy from Canada to Norway to New Zealand. And for what? Being possessed with a restless spirit? The tragedy of the Berserk last year should never be forgotten. But I truly believe Andhøy should not suppress his energy for the sake of loss. On the contrary, he should live thrice as hard to compensate.

The Canadians are happy to have ice breakers tanking oil through their waters. They’re also happy to exploit the Arctic for money, greedily waiting for the pole to warm enough for their waters to become popular trade routes. The tentacles of government and their ‘Polar Institutes’ are also happy to pollute Antarctica with rubbish and research stations. The Australians and New Zealanders are happy to have Chinese fishermen take rare tuna and sell them to the Japanese. These same nations are equally happy to let the Japanese slaughter whales in enormous factory ships, thrashing through our last truly pristine waters.

However, they’re not happy to have Andhøy below 60 degrees south.

Yet he’s off, aboard what people are naming Berserk III, purchased in New Zealand. From what I can gather, the actual name of the vessel is SV Nilaya, and a quick bit of research pulls up a 54ft steel pilot house ketch, currently for sale within NZ waters. I’m no detective, but I’d say with a fair amount of confidence that Andhøy has purchased Nilaya, and is currently barrelling into the southern ocean, reported to have left on the 19th of January. SV Nilaya is the perfect boat for this voyage, and I hope my connections are correct. At a decent clip, Andhøy would be at the very least 500nm-800nm away by now, far beyond the reaches of anyone. The New Zealanders can search for him with their planes and navy ships, but no one is under any jurisdiction to do anything about it. He’s beyond 12nm ocean border of New Zealand territory, and he’s even outside of the Economic Exclusion Zone. I dare say Andhøy is even prepared to be iced-in this winter, as it’s very late in the season…

Rubbish tip at McMurdo, Antarctica.

Berserk III?

Fair winds Andhøy, and fuck the governmental bullshit spouting from the mouths of the politically correct, conservative and freedom-fucking powers at be. Your institutions have created more havoc on this earth than our restless spirits. My only hope for Andhøy and his pal Samuel Massie: To sink with courage if nature so chooses.

No EPIRB. No rescue.

Adventure and freedom.

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