30.12.2015: Visitors on board
Visitors on board
Mauro is a dedicated young man. The Argentine from Buenos Aires spent three months on Norderney and learned to love sailing. Now he is the favourite among the children here in Puerto Williams. He has established the most important free-time activity for the young people here – a sailing school. Eight jolly boats are available. The small kids from Puerto Williams are out on the water with Mauro every day. They are either directly in the side arm of Beagle Canal or – the wind permitting – are out on the stormy waters. “Whoever learns to sail here, can sail”, says Arved and pays respect to this dedicated sailing instructor. Besides this, the captain of the “Dagmar Aaen” gives the children a very special Christmas gift.
The kids are allowed to visit us on board. In a matter of seconds twelve young talents have climbed on the ship. First there is a guided tour of every corner of the “Dagmar Aaen”. Mauro, who translates, is in constant stress. In the mess there is then a power point presentation on Dagmar’s history, on the expedition and on the Arctic. Arved took the opportunity of giving the presentation himself. The kids are greatly interested. The 8-12 year-olds want to know everything. How many people are necessary to set sail, where do the crew members sleep? Arved answers calmly every question. From now on the “Dagmar Aaen” is a central topic in Puerto Williams. The days are busy for the crew as well. Using meters of sand papers the traces on the oak wood after the 9,000 sea- mile journey to the south tip of the earth are removed (photo). In the afternoons there is painting work to be done.
In addition the shrouds are re-stressed and the rigging overhauled. Arved thoroughly enjoys the maintenance on the beloved three-cylinder Callesen-diesel motor. But there still remains enough time to be out in nature. We hike through the jungle and different vegetation zones on the 590-meter-high mountain in Puerto Williams (photo) or experience the unsoiled nature on the banks of Beagle Canal. One evening there is a spontaneous jam session in the mess on board the “Dagmar Aaen”. Keri from Canada called together the international sailor’s orchestra: she herself plays the ukulele, Nick sits at the djembe, Greg (photo) from New Zealand has brought along an electric cello, Gabi sets the rhythm with a shaker, Jacqui from Corsica is perfect at the accordion and Micha plays the guitar. Communication through listening leads to a musical international understanding that could not be experienced in a better way.
Prominent visitors are also in the area. The “Wawa 2” has anchored by the southern-most city in the world. The yacht which is nearly 100 meters long, belongs to Ernesto Bertarelli, a young billionaire, who won the America’s Cup for Switzerland for the first time with his sailing yacht Alinghi in 2003. Befitting to one’s social status one leaves the ship by helicopter to go on land to complete the necessary entrance procedures. Even when we shake our heads in disbelief, it is interesting to see close-up the extremes between the way we travel and the way the jet set does. In town the preparations for New Year’s Eve are well underway. A naval formation (photo) is practicing a ceremony for the turning of the year in dress uniform and with rifles shouldered. We are looking forward to this.
Matze Steiner