Day 8: first icebergs in sight!

Sunday, March 1, 2020

We had the dog shift from midnight to 4 AM. I started at the helm, moved to lookout, and then returned to the helm. The sea was quite rough, and although some seasickness returned, I genuinely enjoyed my watch. This entirely new situation—something I had both dreamed of and feared—was finally here. It’s incredible how, after only a few days on the ship, you develop at least a superficial familiarity with the vessel, which brings a sense of safety and trust. After my watch, I collapsed into my bunk and slept until nearly noon. By then, we had entered the area of large icebergs. The smaller ones, about the size of a car, are called growlers. The weather was sunny, and the views grew increasingly spectacular as the ice became denser. Our next shift was from 2 to 8 PM. Before dinner, however, it was decided that we would stop for the night. The shifts were entertaining nonetheless. During lookout duty, we had to actively search for ice within approximately 20 degrees to port (left) and starboard (right) and report it to the bridge via radio. At the helm, frequent course adjustments were needed to zig-zag through the ice. Dinner was delicious, but I rushed through it to capture some sunset photos. As always, three bells marked the 8 PM meeting, during which the captain and guides announced the next day’s program. We would be drifting overnight with the engine on standby, ready to maneuver if necessary to avoid ice. Tomorrow, we’ll visit the Danger Islands, both onshore and by zodiac. To end the day, I enjoyed a glass of Dutch schnapps.