Tecla beyond the Antarctic Circle

Targeting the Antarctic Circle, the Dutch expedition ship Tecla sailed further south than ever this season. At 66°57′ south latitude, a remote anchorage was reached – well beyond the circle and far away from other ships.

Across the imaginary boundary

The Antarctic Circle, located at about 66°33′ south latitude, forms a symbolic boundary for many ships. For the two-masted gaff ketch Tecla, it was a concrete goal this season: to cross the circle and head further south, away from the crowds around the better-known anchorages on the Antarctic Peninsula.

That goal was achieved. The ship reached 66°57′ S at Point Thorne on the Arrowsmith Peninsula, deeper into Antarctica than on previous voyages.

Mooring between rock and shore

At these latitudes, sheltered anchorages become scarce. Glaciers, steep rocky coasts and ice fields leave little room for safe mooring.

A classic expedition solution was chosen at Point Thorne. The Tecla anchored in the bay, after which four mooring lines were released from the ship to shore. The lines were placed around rocks and protruding points along the shore, stabilising the ship between shore and anchor.

With virtually no wind, floating ice in the bay and a mirror-smooth surface of water, the ship lay there – surrounded by nothing but ice, rock and silence.

Sailing outside the crowds

For the regular and guest crew, passing the Antarctic Circle was a goal in itself; this voyage was specifically geared towards it. It is mainly about the expedition nature of sailing: deliberately seeking out areas where few other ships go.

Moving further south makes things quieter. The familiar anchorages are left behind and nature once again takes over. This is precisely where a traditional sailing ship like the Tecla feels at home.

Back to civilisation

Sailing even further south would have been possible in theory, but safe anchorages become scarcer as the coastline becomes steeper and glaciers more dominant. Moreover, the need to go further was lacking: the goal had been reached. The morning after arriving at Point Thorne, the Tecla lay surrounded by pancake ice (ice that had formed during the night) and not only Antarctica asserted itself, but also the end of the season.

The course therefore turned north again. At Vernadsky Station in the Argentine Islands, obvious human life reappeared for the first time. After days in virtually untouched nature, it almost felt like returning to civilisation.

However, the most important milestone had already been achieved: the Tecla had reached its southernmost point ever – well beyond the Antarctic Circle.

Source: Tecla Sailing
Photos: Tecla crew

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