Dave didn’t believe in what’s now called micro-managing. Whether you were an experienced sailor or not, he treated everyone the same. If he needed something done, he’d give instructions to whoever was standing nearest. Some of the fair-weather types learned to sit out of sight…
Impressionistic I thought they painted By squinting their eyes near shut Here my eyes wide open. Another world Daily 10K steps Between the storms and calm seas No smoking is home. Land at last It slips into view I hoped it would never come Still…
When I was on the vessel, we went through some severe storms. It was exhilarating and frightening in equal measure. At times, it felt like a rollercoaster, thrilling in its intensity, almost fun in its wildness. At other times, after nights of little sleep, it…
A steady hand on deck Every ship has its engines, its navigation systems, its officers. But none of it works without the people who keep the decks in order, climb into the holds, and carry out the relentless physical work a bulk carrier demands. Michael…
In this interview, Chief Officer Gokhan reflects on life and leadership at sea. He describes working with an international crew of twelve nationalities, the constant rhythm of inspections, planning, and unexpected challenges, and the importance of psychological safety alongside technical skills. His focus on explaining…
For many years, my parents had two boats. One, Tiempo, was an Amel Mango, which we sailed at different times all over on both sides of the Atlantic. We went from the Outer Hebrides down the European coast and over to Grenada, where my parents…
I am slowly coming to the close of “Pics of the week” from aboard the MV Roland Oldendorff. As you can imagine, I'm bringing hundreds of photos back home. All along I tried to delete as much as I could, but it was impossible to…
A little while ago, I was talking to my sister Kim about the trip she took with her son and two granddaughters on her sailboat. She lives on the boat, so her grandkids had already visited her many times, running around the deck for an…
Nigel and I talk through the stormy reality of polar navigation, from spotting the first iceberg to the training and judgement that keep ships safe in icy waters. Our conversation blends history, science, and lived experience, as Nigel draws on his background in oceanography to…
Unexpected visitors Sunrise on wing tips Open seas with open heart Joy in small pleasures. Reaching the point of no return Ice forming on top Too early to say goodbye To here and summer. Waking up to the dawn Sitting on the bridge Feeling so…
Gijón, Spain – September 24 Date and time: 24.09.25, 17:00 Location: LAT 43.33°, LON 0.41° SOG (speed over ground): 0 knots Wind: 12 knots We have arrived at last. The MV Roland Oldendorff is safely berthed in Gijón, northern Spain, under blue skies and calm…
The thought of going home brings me to a familiar puzzle: how does a journey live on after it ends? That feels like the real question. Rather than imagining myself as someone transformed and returning with a bag full of new and better habits, it…
The dolphin-style captain The first thing you notice about Captain Paing Phyo is not his authority but his calm attention. He listens closely, nodding as the second officer explains a detail, or smiling gently as a cadet finds the right words. His presence sets the…
Bay of Biscay – September 23 Date and time: 23.09.25, 15:00 Location: LAT 46.24°, LON 10.00° SOG (speed over ground): 11.5 knots Wind: 12.9 knots The sea is calm and generous today, filled with encounters that feel like small gifts. Whales swam by in steady…
Spain Ahead – September 22 Date and time: 22.09.25, 11:30 Location: LAT 49.44°, LON 15.39° SOG (speed over ground): 11.2 knots Wind: 15 knots We are close enough now to hear Spanish over the VHF, a sure sign that the coast is near. The past…
We were sitting on the boat at the dock one day when two sailboats came into the yacht club at the same time. The first had a captain and four crew members, all dressed in matching T-shirts, looking very sharp. A strong crosswind was blowing,…
This is one of Dave's lessons that is difficult to put into words. Some of it has to do with Dave’s casual way of making people feel at ease in his company, no matter where they came from or what walk of life they followed.
This past week gave us just about every kind of weather the sea can offer. We had sun and clear skies, sudden squalls, heavy rain, and winds that set the ship rolling from side to side. In celebration of the fact that we are now…
English Channel – September 21 Date and time: 21.09.25, 13:00 Location: LAT 51.58°, LON 20.45° SOG (speed over ground): 11.2 knots Wind: 5.6 knots The sea is calm and bright today, the sky wide open with sunlight. Long rolling swells still shift the deck underfoot,…
From the cold, grey stretch of northern Arctic water outside my porthole, my mind drifts to a very different place. Across from Prickly Bay, Grenada, there is Hog Island. It is an outcrop of rocks and bush with a scraggle of trees. On its south…