Expedition Report
A College student joined a crew of two on a 47 ft. Oyster boat at Aasiaat in Greenland, with the intention of sailing to Canada and eventually to Dartmouth in Nova Scotia, where the boat was to be wintered. The first leg was to Nuuk, the capital, where the boat needed to undergo some repairs. This provided the first site of humpback whales and the first encounter with huge icebergs which dwarfed the boat. The repairs involved the boat having to be hauled out of the water with a crane, and participating in fitting the lifting slings proved to be a challenging experience for the student.
Once the boat had been fixed, the next passage was from Nuuk to Nain in Newfoundland, across the Davis Strait, during which the boat endured force eight winds. However there was also the opportunity to see a group of pilot whales. The approach to Nain involved negotiating Iceberg Alley which required vigilance at all times, especially during the night, and also sailing through vicious tides. However once in the town, Minkie whales could be seen close to where the boat was moored. It was then onto Battle Harbour, where Fin whales could be seen, and then to L’Anse Aux Meadows - where the Vikings first landed in North America - via the Belle Isle Straights – also known as the Shipwrecking Straights. Then to Port Saunders, and an opportunity to eat moose steak, before dashing to Rocky Harbour in the Gros Morne National Park. The next stop was Cape Breton Island, which involved sailing through fog, and then to Kelly’s Cove, before finally arriving at Dartmouth after a visit to Halifax nearby.
