An exhilarating Atlantic crossing on the world’s largest square rigger

With a collective ‘heave-ho’ we hauled on the sturdy rope in a disjointed fashion and staggered backwards on the gently rolling teak deck when nothing happened. Over the sound of the waves breaking against the bow our team leader shouted that we needed to tug on the ‘ho’ rather than the ‘heave’. We regrouped and seconds later were rewarded with the sight of one of Royal Clipper’s 42 sails responding to our efforts.

It was an exhilarating moment as the creamy staysail gently unfurled and picked up the trade winds to propel the tall ship forward across the Atlantic. With another team of salty shipmates completing the task in less than half our time of one minute and 33 seconds, we were duly rewarded…