Survival of the luckiest
How lucky can a man be? The last week has been enormously magnificent. Some of you know that I used to be a fervent sailor in the days before the monastery, and I was totally thrilled when Biomiko invited me to join him on the trip from Danzig to Copenhagen. It wasn’t his first time making the voyage, but for me it was, and it was also the first time I had ever sailed at sea. And did I enjoy it! On the way there, we sailed with a wind of 8 on the Beaufort scale, which is pretty strong, I can tell you. But, being Dutch and all and the Dutch being known for their sailing skills, I managed to keep my food inside.
Yup. Eight Beaufort, waves of up to five meters. Damn, I felt rugged.
Biomiko was there too. With such wind, and a bit of help from the engine, we managed to reach Copenhagen in time for New Years’ Eve, which we celebrated on the deck, under a canopy made of one of the sails. I could post some pictures of that as well, but err… that wouldn’t be very wise, I guess 
Sunrise on the Baltic Sea…
What stunned me the most, aside from the magnificent skies on the Baltic sea, and the wonderful character of the Danes, was the following: Just as we sailed into the port of Copenhagen a storm was picking up. It picked up in a large way, and it turned into a severe hurricane. Over force twelve on the Beaufort scale, which equals windspeeds of over 73 Miles per hour. I mean, the Beaufort scale doesn’t
even go above force 12! It was the first time this ship ever made it to Copenhagen for New Years’ Eve, and if it hadn’t we’d all have been stuck in a driving hurricane like a nutshell tossed left and right.
How serious it was, only was revealed to us when we returned to Danzig a few days later: The storm had been so severe, that a 120 yard long aircraft carrier had capsized and foundered. Capsized so fast the crew didn’t even have time to launch their rescue boats. Talking about being lucky!
Needless to say, I was shocked and saddened when I heard that news. How unfair life can be: some vacationing guys and lasses make it to port on time, and a craft full of hardworking sailors perishes. But that is how life is: unfair. My heart&prayers go out to them and their next of kin. And I give thanks and thanks again for being alive.
UPDATE: I learned a number of months afterwards that the disaster with the aircraft carrier had happened in an earlier year. Still, scary bit of sea.
Leave a Comment
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
