In the past week I’ve looked at the possibility of chartering planes to do a search for Elsi and sounded out various companies who might have a vessel suitable for towing her if she was found. But, for most of the time it’s just been a case of waiting for news and
hoping that somebody has seen her drifting around.
The area Elsi was in is so remote and so vast that a plane search would only be viable if there was a sighting of some kind to narrow it down. There are no harbours for a hundred miles and it isn’t practicable to just go out to the coast and start looking. A lot of the
shoreline is inaccessible from the land and inhospitable and dangerous from seaward.
The wind over the past week has been predominately onshore and at times up to 60kts. All tending to push Elsi towards the shore.
The view from the Armada is that she has either sunk out at sea or been driven ashore somewhere onto the coast. Either way she is probably under the water by now. I was hoping to bring you some good news from Punta Arenas but the reality is that there is very
little chance of seeing her again. She has been such a big part of my life that it feels like losing a family member and it will be very different without her.
So, I have bought my ticket home and will be back in Shetland at the start of next week. I feel there is little more I can do out here.
Who knows, Elsi might turn up the day after I get back but I’m not holding my breath.
Many thanks to everyone again for all your good wishes, kind words and concern. I’m looking forward to catching up with many of you in the weeks to come.
By Ellis & Trixie Johnson Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 9:45 am
Oh Andrew dats vexing ta hear but we will keep wir fingers crossed dat she will eventually turn up.
We wish you a safe journey home xxx
By Drew Anderson Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 9:52 am
Hello Andrew
We all know that this is not the ending you were hoping for but remember you are safe. The loss of Elsi must be very sad and dissapointing for you. You still have a good story to tell least of all rounding the horn three times in as many weeks!
Hope to see you when you get back to Shetland
Drew.
By George Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 10:55 am
Sorry for you loss hardly seems enough to say . . . . . thanks for the inspiration you have been and continue to be as you acknowledge the loss cherish the good times and lessons and move forward.
By Jim Strang Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 3:46 pm
Andrew – that is really sad news… All I can really say is that I am really glad that you made it off in one piece. All we can all hope is that there may be a slight miracle – and Elsi pops up somewhere, sometime. It was really interesting following your progress, and I think we all felt for you when we saw you slip back the direction you had just battled away from. There were in the end, 601 people who joined the Facebook page that I initailly set up to entertain myself – which blew my mind – you generated a huge amount of interest in your voyage. I wish you good luck in any further expeditions you may find yourself drawn to – and will be keeping my fingers crossed for Elsi Arrub, may she sail on in peace.
By Louise Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 4:10 pm
Just been reading your laters blog…I can truly understand you saying it’s like leaving a family member ..Elsi has been with you a lot of years ..but look at it this way she has looked after you well and kept you safe ..you have memories no one else will ever have. Safe journey home
Louise ☺️
By Don andJean Farquhar Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 4:23 pm
So sorry Andrew, but so glad you are living. It’s a massive loss for you and so unexpected. Don and I will catch up with you through April hopefully.
By Rodney Smith Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 4:39 pm
Hi Andrew, Really vexed aboot “Elsi” bit at laest du’s safe, an dats da main thing.
Regards
Rodney
By Peter George Malcolm Sinclair Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 6:12 pm
Its such a shame Andrew, as i mind de biggin her whin de and me wiz wirking a Sullom Voe at da time, and it wiz always a great interest ta speak aboot how du wiz gitting on.
I ken she will be a great miss tae de, but du never knows she mite turn up yet, but in da mean time keep de spirits up and it will be fine ta see de back home. Peter
By Dan Gilgan Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 7:24 pm
We are saddened by the loss of your boat, but that is offset by the fact that we are relieved that you have survived the whole event. I am sure that your Mother is relieved you are on your way home. Your accomplishment, while not what you set out to do, is still outstanding. Congratulations, and good luck in your next adventure.
Dan and Sylvia
By Mary Moncrieff Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 7:46 pm
That is very vexing…..have a safe trip home, Tom and Mary
By Chris Roche Thu Mar 20th 2014 at 11:06 pm
Hi Andrew
A pretty distressing situation to have likely lost Elsi. I have walked in those parts and yes, it is among the most inaccessible and difficult areas of the world. Landing places are indeed few. All that can be done is hope. Safe Journey home. When I was in Punta I could not get either a flight or a boat and had to travel into Argentina and back into Chile by coach over the mountains into Puerto Mont.The only bonus for us was that on the coach they served out Pisco for nightcaps. You certainly have the spirit and a tale to tell. Chris
By Robin Wilson-Webb Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 7:10 am
Hello Andrew,
You have all my sympathy for the predicament you find yourself in now. How very sad I feel for Elsi. In so many ways she appears to have a soul, and may not be in the least happy to find herself alone and unable to cope without you. Nonsense you perhaps say, but it is how I feel.
However the “on site commander” is usually in the best place to assess the situation, and I respect you for that.
When you get back to Shetland I would welcome the opportunity of a chat, and will try to phone.
Safe journey Andrew.
Cheers, Robin.
By Shelagh Smith Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 8:38 am
It has been a privilege to follow your adventure from Vermont (thanks to Jim Strang for settting up the FB Group). Happy you are safe, but don’t give up hope for Elsi, she is a survivor!
By Adrian Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 9:00 am
Alan
Really sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure you will be afloat some how again soon
Adrian
By Olga and Arno van Cauwenberghe Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 9:01 am
Hello Andrew and Alyson,
We are thankful you are safe and well and what a relieve for everyone. We are also sadden to read about Elsi’s probable demise but we are confident another Elsi will eventuate in the not too distant future. After all “Old sailors never die they just get a little dinghy”!!! (Hahaha)
Thank you for your wonderful stories. It had us itching to go again: not Cape Horn though, more likely Japan and Pacific.
To all the Shetland folks: we loved dissecting the Shetland dialect comments. What a lovely language.
Kind regards
Olga and Arno
By Edward and Janis Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 10:19 am
It is a bereavement but you are returning home as Shetland’s amazing and finest hero.
By Ann Prior Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 3:48 pm
A great boat and a historic ending – brave Elsi xxx
By Sue Kittow Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 5:39 pm
Oh I am so sorry Andrew – I was really hoping to hear good news. My thoughts are with you. Sue
By Francesca Ashmore & Bob Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 6:43 pm
So sorry to hear that there is so little hope of finding Elsi. But miracles do happen and she was found before, so never give up hope. One day she might return into your life. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed.
Bob and Francesca of Fire Hawk in Falmouth
By Angus Fraser Fri Mar 21st 2014 at 7:44 pm
Sorry to hear about Elsi but you never know she might still turn up but at least you are save and well .All the best and good luck .
By Duncan MacPhail Sat Mar 22nd 2014 at 6:43 pm
Hi Andrew, Ive enjoyed following your progress on here, pity about Elsi but never give up hope. Safe trip home and well done again .Regards Duncan MacPhail (Lerwick)
By David Mon Mar 24th 2014 at 7:00 am
Glad you are safe. Sorry Elsi is lost. Hope to see you soon.
By Barbara ward Mon Mar 24th 2014 at 10:59 pm
hi Andrew, I can’t believe what you have just survived. It makes me realise what a special person doo is. especially as we are in El calafate and are on our way to Ushuaia and have experienced da winds on land so can’t imagine what doo experienced off shore. Shetland doesn’t have a look in wi the wind n wedded conditions here. What a brave man doo is an dye family n everyone else must be so relieved. We are heading on to Punta Arenas on Saturday and are so sad we’re goin tae miss dee., was so hoopin we cd’ve gotten dere shunner. Readin aboot dee an Elsie Arrub has been so exciting n nerve wrecking for lots o folk so I have been so relieved to hear the end , even tho it is sad about Elsie, although you never know ! Hoop tae cetch up wi dee next time we’re name. Barbara Ward safe n relaxin journey home Andrew
By Mary Blance Mon Mar 31st 2014 at 8:58 am
Andrew and Alyson. I can only imagine how sad and bereaved you do feel – relieved to be home but having left a part of you in the wild wild ocean. Wha keens whit lies ahead – bit there might be anidder project waiting fir you in da future.
Blissins
Mary