Intrepid Adventurer Sails To Antarctica On 100-Year-Old Ship

An adventurer has documented his 5,000 miles journey aboard a 100-year-old ship, sailing from Argentina to Antarctica to Cape Town. Geographic Information System Analyst Andrew Orr undertook the epic journey on the Bark Europa to witness the world’s harshest landscapes in their rawest form, choosing to avoid cruise vessels and icebreaking ships.Show more

Boarding at Ushuaia, Argentina, Orr and his fellow passengers sailed through the Beagle Channel and spent four days navigating the Drake Passage - one of the most dangerous sailing passages in the world.

The impressive vessel was built in 1911 but was re-rigged as a barque in 1986. Andrew says: “The Drake Passage has some of the worst sailing in the world. Storms blow through that area and anything can happen. I don’t think anyone ever expressed concern about the ship capsizing, but it is a possibility, as with any ship.”

During their epic journey, Andrew and his passengers covered an incredible 5,000 miles. He says that there were days when, under the right wind with the right sails up, they felt like the ship was on the edge of capsizing. Every passenger and crew member worked together to look out for icebergs, steer the ship and manage the sails.

Even though they had a relatively smooth sailing, the crew and their human cargo encountered a vicious storm on their way to South Georgia Island - a Force 9 Gale on the Beaufort scale, which left the Bark Europa facing 46-54 mph winds and 23-32 foot waves. The ship’s deck had been designed to drain the water back into the sea, as water on board became a regular sight.

They met a few incredible species on their journey, such as two massive King penguin colonies, endangered fur seals, Leopard seals and Weddell seals.

Andrew finished up his journey with a swift visit to Tristan da Cunha - home to just 265 people - and docked in Cape Town, South Africa to say farewell to the trusty Bark Europa.

Videographer / director: Andrew Orr
Producer: Hannah Stevens, Nick Johnson
Editor: Joshua Douglas