DARWIN200 Conservation Voyage Retraces Charles Darwin’s Route Aboard Legendary Dutch Tall Ship Oosterschelde
STANLEY, FALKLAND ISLANDS, February 21, 2025 — The historic Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde has completed a remarkable maritime achievement by successfully rounding Cape Horn during the global conservation mission, DARWIN200. The ship set sail from New Zealand on a 5,300 nautical mile voyage, marking another historic milestone for the Oosterschelde and its crew.
Cape Horn Rounding: A Momentous Achievement
To qualify as an official ‘rounding’ of Cape Horn, the voyage had to adhere to stringent criteria: it had to be accomplished under sail as part of a non-stop passage of at least 3,000 nautical miles above the latitude of 50° South in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, achieved without the use of engines.
“Cape Horn was identified by mariners and first rounded in 1616 by the Dutchmen Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, who named it Kaap Hoorn after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands,” explains Gerben Nab, the Director of the Oosterschelde.
Cape Horn, located at 55.98°S, 67.29°W, is renowned as the ‘Mount Everest of Sailing’ due to its treacherous conditions, including howling winds, massive waves, and freezing temperatures. This legendary headland has been the graveyard of countless ships since the Age of Exploration.
Skills, Determination, and Resilience: The Oosterschelde crew
Captain Maarten De Jong, 46, from the Netherlands, expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishment: “The extreme weather, with frequent 12-meter waves and wind speeds exceeding 100 km/h, has made it one of the most feared sailing routes on Earth. I’m proud of the ship and our crew for skilfully navigating these challenging waters.”
The crew consisted of professional sailors and guest voyage crew, ranging from those born in 2003 to 1955, representing various countries such as the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, UK, US, Australia, and Canada.
Retracing Darwin’s Path: A Mission for Conservation
Setting sail from Plymouth, UK, in August 2023, the Oosterschelde embarked on a two-year conservation mission, retracing Charles Darwin’s route on HMS Beagle. The voyage aims to host and train 200 young environmentalists globally in hands-on conservation efforts at the same locations where Darwin explored.
To date, Oosterschelde has covered over 31,500 nautical miles, taking 545 days, with major port stops including Falkland Islands, Cape Town, St Helena, Ascension Island, and the Azores.
Oosterschelde: From Cargo Vessel to Cultural Icon
The Oosterschelde is one of the world’s finest fully restored historic tall ships, recognized by the Dutch Government as a monument of cultural and historical significance.
Initially a cargo vessel launched in 1917, Oosterschelde has had a rich history, hosting thousands of adventurous souls, including royalty and politicians. She was recommissioned by Her Royal Highness Princess Margrite of The Netherlands after a major refurbishment in 1996.
Over the past 30 years, Oosterschelde has become a bastion of Dutch shipbuilding and has achieved several milestones, including successfully tackling Cape Horn.
Future Voyages: Inviting Adventure Seekers
Following the completion of the DARWIN200 mission in July 2025, the Oosterschelde will embark on a series of exciting voyages, offering opportunities for adventure seekers in the UK, Portugal, Cape Verde Islands, Canary Islands, Suriname, Martinique, St Martin, and the Bahamas.
These voyages aim to continue inspiring and educating audiences about conservation and seafaring traditions.
For More Information
Oosterschelde details: https://www.dutchtallship.com/sailing-trips/
DARWIN200 details: https://darwin200.com/
PRESS KIT: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Xi1OMq6YZgOsYvJpKIfb40eYxzOg32fZ
PHOTOS & VIDEOS CAPE HORN: https://f.io/SFRYKwaa
Alice Dogruyol
This Chapter PR
alice.dogruyol@thischapter.co.uk
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