Since the year 2000, the Bark EUROPA has been crossing oceans and seas on a regular basis and has the reputation of being a ship that really sails. Our voyages bring us to remote islands and cities all over the world, giving you the possibility to step on board halfway through a long ocean crossing.
Bark EUROPA follows the favourable winds of traditional sailing routes. This has brought her to all continents, sailing the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean, thus earning her nickname Ocean Wanderer. From December to March in the Southern hemisphere summer EUROPA conducts expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula.
EUROPA also participates in Tall Ships Races, the largest international ocean races for sail-training ships in the world. Races occur annually in various parts of the world with thousands of spectators. Our crew and guests are international and of different ages, united in their search for adventure and new experiences.
SPECIFICATIONS
Build | 1911 |
Home port | Scheveningen, Netherlands |
LOA | 56 meter |
Width | 7.4 meter |
Draught | 3.9 meter |
Hight | 33 meter |
Max. Sails | 1250 m2 |
Engines | 2 x 365 pk Caterpillar |
Call Sign | PDZS |
Maximum speed | 13 knots |
Passengers | 48 |
Crew | 16 |
DECK PLAN
History
The EUROPA was built in 1911 on the Stülcken wharf in Hamburg, Germany. She was first named as ‘Senator Brockes’. The original client who ordered the ship was the State of Hamburg. The ship was built to serve as a light ship on the German river Elbe. Called ‘Elbe 3’ she indeed served as light ship and later she was first reserve. Until the 1980’s it was quite common to see lights ships on hazardous places near river estuaries and sand banks. Light ships were always crewed until the 1980’s. But certainly in the late 1980’s more and more ships were automated with help of computers and GPS. Slowly but steadily the ships have become a rare sight.
Life on Board
The Bark EUROPA is registered as a sail training ship and as such you will be mustered as voyage crew. This means that, more so than on a passenger ship, you will get extensive safety instructions and we ask you to join in the watch system. Participating in sailing and running the Bark EUROPA is part of the overall experience on board. The level of participation will depend on your interest and physical condition. On deck you work together with the permanent crew.
The watch system consists of joining the permanent crew for 4 hours, after which you will be off for 8 hours. Everyone is welcome to take the helm, set sails, assist with manoeuvres, navigation, weather observations, furling the sails on the yards and much more. The permanent crew will give lectures and instruct you during the voyage in steering, navigation and line handling.
This will be done in a “Dutch” style, so without yelling, blowing whistles and so on. Also, you will find no uniforms on the Bark EUROPA. Crossing the ocean properly with a square rigger under sail like the Bark EUROPA is a team effort, so we appreciate every input from the voyage crew.
Sailing experience is not necessary. Instructions will be given in watch responsibilities, basic sail theory, line handling, steering and navigation. One hour on board the Bark EUROPA and it will instantly be clear: “team- work” has to be the key to this beautiful traditional sailing vessel. No winches, but an infinity of lines; at first glance maybe a complete jungle. The hundreds of blocks look like spiders in their webs. The novice sailor will be introduced to these matters every day and, after a few weeks, all those lines, blocks, stays, booms with their impossible names and functions become an open book.
Cabins
We have 12 cabins on board for voyage crew, four of them are 2-persons cabins, four are for 4 persons and we have four 6-persons cabins. All cabins are comfortable and have their own shower and toilet. During the Antarctica voyages or the long oceancrossings a maximum of 5 persons will be placed in a 6-persons cabin.
If you are travelling as a couple you can decide to book a 2-persons cabin, but you can also be placed together with another couple in a 4-persons cabin. Single travelers can find their bunk in a 4- or 6-persons cabin (male or female cabins) We cannot guarantee any specific cabin or bunk to you, we can make a note of your preference, however the final cabin overview will be made on board by the captain.
Facilities
The ship is ideal for ocean crossings and longer voyages, with various places for relaxing: library, lounge, poker corner and deckhouse. These different areas allow you to do your own thing: perhaps some quiet reading or a more active role in the social life in the deckhouse. The ship is equipped with a DVD player, a CD player, i-Pod connection and radio.
An experienced cook and cook’s assistant will prepare three meals a day. Bark Europa is a Dutch vessel and part of the permanent crew is Dutch. But we have an international crew and guest crew and you will find various nationalities among them. The common language on board is English.
Safety
The EUROPA is a very solidly built ship. She is fitted out for worldwide sailing and has all the safety certificates required under Dutch law for these activities. The Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute, the KNMI, selects the ship to monitor the weather whilst at sea. To enable us to do this, they have supplied the ship with specialised equipment for taking observations. A minimum of 10 experienced, professional crew- members will ensure the ship’s safe operation. They possess all the necessary professional qualifications. Our safety equipment comprises life jackets, life rafts, fire extinguishing equipment, fire-fighting outfits with breathing apparatus, diving equipment, a comprehensive stock of medicine, an emergency sick bay, EPIRB, and radar transponders. The EUROPA’s navigational and communication equip- ment comprises radar, a compass (in the wheelhouse, on deck and in the rescue boat), a satellite navigation system, an echo sounder, a sextant, one SSB transmit- ter, two Inmarsat-C terminals, an Iridium Satellite telephone, two VHF transmitters, a number of portable VHF’s and an emergency radio transmitter. The EUROPA has two zodiacs and a sloop with outboard engines. In addition to a drinking water capacity of 12.250 litres in permanent tanks, we are able to convert seawater into drinking water using a water maker. Food stores will be taken on board just before our departure. We will also take on board 20,000 litres of diesel to fuel the heater, the generators and the two main engines. The ship has a power supply of 220V AC (50 Hz). The plugs on board are as used on the European continent (two-pins).