Where’s the Thor Heyerdahl now?

The first Science Set Sail teams are welcomed on board
The first Science Set Sail teams are welcomed on board.FAU/Regine Oyntzen

After being welcomed aboard on Saturday evening by Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) President, Professor Joachim Hornegger, the new teams were – quite literally – shown the ropes!

Regine Oyntzen tells us what they have been up to since then – apart from getting to know each other and the first initial scientific projects, that is:

 

We left Kiel on the evening of Saturday 15 July, and as the wind was favourable we set sail and headed straight out of the Kiel Fjord.

Sailing out of Kiel Fjord
White cliffs of Moen (Image: FAU/Regine Oyntzen)

 

Despite constant drizzle, we are now at least clearer what happens when we pull on each rope!

 

rigging
Getting used to the rigging (Image: FAU/Regine Oyntzen)

 

The clear, starry night wasn’t too disturbed by the first few instances of seasickness (which were luckily quickly over!)

Thor Heyerdahl (Image: KUS-Project)
Thor Heyerdahl (Image: KUS-Project)

 

 

The Thor Heyerdahl overnighted close to the island of Moen in eastern Denmark. Martin Müller took first duty in the galley. At 6:00 on the morning of Monday 17 June, we paddled with the dingies to climb the chalk cliffs (around 150m) and swim – this is called ‘run and dip’!

 

Martin Müller in the galley
Martin Müller in the galley (Image: FAU/Regine Oyntze)

The ship is currently scheduled to arrive at our first port of call – Malmo, Sweden – in time for the first Open Ship Day from 10:00-16:00 on Tuesday 18 July. Have you noticed that you can track the progress of the Thor Heyerdahl as it sails across the Baltic for Science Sets Sail? Check out the ship’s current position here.