http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/02/19/ns-brazil-ship-sinks-students.html
The Tugwell family, along with all the families of the students and crew aboard the Concordia, were notified last night that the Concordia had sent out a distress signal, and we were later notified that everyone aboard the ship had been rescued off the coast of Brazil, after spending several hours in life rafts. Kate Knight, the Head of School at West Island College, ensured everyone was kept up to date with as much information as was available. The CBC article confirms that the Concordia sunk off the coast (way, way off), but that all crew and students (and Dad!) were safely transferred to merchant vessels.
More information will be posted here when we have it. Thank you for all your kind wishes and positive thoughts.
-Tugwells
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mailing Addresses for the Voyage...
from Jill
If anyone would like to send a letter to Maurice, the addresses are below. Keep in mind he'll only be on the ship until mid-April, and snail mail isn't always timely, as noted below, so best to send it soonish. The info below comes directly from Class Afloat:
Mailing Addresses S.V. Concordia
2009-2010 (SEMESTER TWO)
Note: Please send letter mail only (maximum size is 9x12 padded envelope – no boxes please!), unless the address indicates otherwise. Many of these agencies collect our mail free of charge and it is unfair to ask them to sign for and hold parcels.
As mail can take up to 3-4 weeks to reach overseas destinations, we suggest that you send all letters as far in advance as possible!
Receipt of mail is not guaranteed by Class Afloat, so please refrain from sending anything of monetary value. Please understand that mail which does not reach the vessel before departure will not be forwarded or returned to sender.
Montevideo, Uruguay (February 25-March 1)
Attn: ‘Student's name’
SV Concordia, Class Afloat c/o Odile Beer Viajes
Plaza Independecia 723/Ap. 102
Montevideo, Uruguay
CP 11000
Cape Town, South Africa (March 31-April 5)
Attn: ‘Student's name’
SV Concordia, Class Afloat c/o SASLA
PO Box 51372
Waterfront 8002
Cape Town, South Africa
If anyone would like to send a letter to Maurice, the addresses are below. Keep in mind he'll only be on the ship until mid-April, and snail mail isn't always timely, as noted below, so best to send it soonish. The info below comes directly from Class Afloat:
Mailing Addresses S.V. Concordia
2009-2010 (SEMESTER TWO)
Note: Please send letter mail only (maximum size is 9x12 padded envelope – no boxes please!), unless the address indicates otherwise. Many of these agencies collect our mail free of charge and it is unfair to ask them to sign for and hold parcels.
As mail can take up to 3-4 weeks to reach overseas destinations, we suggest that you send all letters as far in advance as possible!
Receipt of mail is not guaranteed by Class Afloat, so please refrain from sending anything of monetary value. Please understand that mail which does not reach the vessel before departure will not be forwarded or returned to sender.
Montevideo, Uruguay (February 25-March 1)
Attn: ‘Student's name’
SV Concordia, Class Afloat c/o Odile Beer Viajes
Plaza Independecia 723/Ap. 102
Montevideo, Uruguay
CP 11000
Cape Town, South Africa (March 31-April 5)
Attn: ‘Student's name’
SV Concordia, Class Afloat c/o SASLA
PO Box 51372
Waterfront 8002
Cape Town, South Africa
Monday, February 8, 2010
February 5th - 8th (pictures included)
Much of the first day all together on the ship (February 5th) was given over to “rules and regulations” review, at port sail training (particularly important for the new comers before we go to sea on the 8th), and food provisioning. The latter had us all form a line from the delivery truck out on the street through the alley way to the Concordia, onto the ship and down below decks to the various storage places. As our first voyage is a two week sail to Montevideo, Uruguay and there are more than 60 of us to feed (48 students, 8 teachers counting the student shipboard director, and the 8 member pro crew (captain, first and second mate, two engineers, bosun, ship’s doctor and cook), there was a lot to bring aboard.
During port stays, planned excursions involving all the students and teachers are part of the educational program. On the 6th - yesterday as I write this - we had a bus ride to several points of interest, including an historic church (the second oldest in Brazil)and village, a manitoo acquatic centre, a beach for some swimming, and, close at hand, a martial arts/dance demonstration. I have to (sheepishly) confess that the beach interlude was my favourite - it is high summer here and their Carnival time. So as one floated about (with lots of sun block on, and a hat, and while Claudia was cross country skiing/snow shoeing back home), pleasure craft and rafts with costumed trumpet players, or just “canned” Brazilian carnival music were trolling by just off shore, making for a festive and memorable Atlantic dip!
Today will involve more sail training and the practice of emergency procedures. Teachers have specific duties in this context. For example, I am responsible for the working of one of the pullied lines controlling the launch of the mid-ship rescue launch (there are two - the other at the stern; there are life rafts too, of course). Captain Bill is a patient and effective teacher in his own right and I learned much about the whys and wherefores of the zodiac launch I hadn’t appreciated during my first Concordia tour. It helps that Bill is a New England English speaker. The last time most of the crew were Polish. (The first mate on our journey this time is from Lunenburg, the second mate Australian, the engineers Polish - I know them from before, the bosun Canadian, the ship doctor an Alaskan and the cook is from the Boston area.) Tomorrow we leave port after lunch. This will be a relief in some respects because we can then get our classes started. (While at sea I teach my three courses each day.) And a more predictable routine will emerge. And there will be some seasickness!
Maurice/Tug/Papa
During port stays, planned excursions involving all the students and teachers are part of the educational program. On the 6th - yesterday as I write this - we had a bus ride to several points of interest, including an historic church (the second oldest in Brazil)and village, a manitoo acquatic centre, a beach for some swimming, and, close at hand, a martial arts/dance demonstration. I have to (sheepishly) confess that the beach interlude was my favourite - it is high summer here and their Carnival time. So as one floated about (with lots of sun block on, and a hat, and while Claudia was cross country skiing/snow shoeing back home), pleasure craft and rafts with costumed trumpet players, or just “canned” Brazilian carnival music were trolling by just off shore, making for a festive and memorable Atlantic dip!
Today will involve more sail training and the practice of emergency procedures. Teachers have specific duties in this context. For example, I am responsible for the working of one of the pullied lines controlling the launch of the mid-ship rescue launch (there are two - the other at the stern; there are life rafts too, of course). Captain Bill is a patient and effective teacher in his own right and I learned much about the whys and wherefores of the zodiac launch I hadn’t appreciated during my first Concordia tour. It helps that Bill is a New England English speaker. The last time most of the crew were Polish. (The first mate on our journey this time is from Lunenburg, the second mate Australian, the engineers Polish - I know them from before, the bosun Canadian, the ship doctor an Alaskan and the cook is from the Boston area.) Tomorrow we leave port after lunch. This will be a relief in some respects because we can then get our classes started. (While at sea I teach my three courses each day.) And a more predictable routine will emerge. And there will be some seasickness!
Maurice/Tug/Papa
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Update from Recife, Brazil
-by Maurice
Thursday, February 4th
The students arrive today, some accompanied by a parent or two. They will be flying in, the airport being a 20 minute taxi ride to the Concordia’s location. Their flight arrival times are known and divide into some late morning and mid-afternoon ones. There are 48 students in all – a full ‘house’- with 16 of them being new to the program this term. Of this total, about 20 are ‘gap’ students, the group from which I draw my class members. A couple of the teachers are stationed at the airport, and two of us are acting as a welcoming committee at the ship. The access to the ship from the street involves passage through a narrow alley, over some broken concrete, through a rusty chain fence gate and along a short unkempt path. From past experience I have observed the great variation in ‘resident amenity’; this location is well down the list.
The cabins on the Concordia are airconditioned. This is a good thing as Recife is hot and muggy despite being located on the Atlantic. It was a beautiful sunrise this morning about 6:00 and now, at 8:30 AM, I’m guessing it is 30C with little breeze.
My roommate Mark arrived in at about 1:00 AM this morning from Berlin. He was considerate in his ‘re-entry’ to ‘his’ room – I am the newcomer after all. He has now left for the airport as part of the welcoming committee.
I hope to find a few minutes this afternoon to send this update along. The internet cafe is a couple of streets away.
-Maurice/Tug/Papa
Thursday, February 4th
The students arrive today, some accompanied by a parent or two. They will be flying in, the airport being a 20 minute taxi ride to the Concordia’s location. Their flight arrival times are known and divide into some late morning and mid-afternoon ones. There are 48 students in all – a full ‘house’- with 16 of them being new to the program this term. Of this total, about 20 are ‘gap’ students, the group from which I draw my class members. A couple of the teachers are stationed at the airport, and two of us are acting as a welcoming committee at the ship. The access to the ship from the street involves passage through a narrow alley, over some broken concrete, through a rusty chain fence gate and along a short unkempt path. From past experience I have observed the great variation in ‘resident amenity’; this location is well down the list.
The cabins on the Concordia are airconditioned. This is a good thing as Recife is hot and muggy despite being located on the Atlantic. It was a beautiful sunrise this morning about 6:00 and now, at 8:30 AM, I’m guessing it is 30C with little breeze.
My roommate Mark arrived in at about 1:00 AM this morning from Berlin. He was considerate in his ‘re-entry’ to ‘his’ room – I am the newcomer after all. He has now left for the airport as part of the welcoming committee.
I hope to find a few minutes this afternoon to send this update along. The internet cafe is a couple of streets away.
-Maurice/Tug/Papa
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Boa viagem! Have a safe journey!
Aaaaaaaaaand he's off!
Papa Tug left Halifax yesterday on a flight to New York, part of his rather lengthy journey to Brazil. He'll join up with the crew and students of the Concordia, and set sail for the first port in the ship's second semester - Montevideo, Uruguay.
For the ship's itinerary, see the link below.
http://www.classafloat.com/Default.aspx?tabid=80
Check back for updates! Tug will be sending emails whenever he's in port.
-Jill
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
"Daisy & Me"
The Moroccan Adventure
The last few days have been a terrific experience. (To set the stage, the astetics of our ship berth location are - well - third world: The smells of human waste and fish "by product", loose dogs, feral cats, the huge pile of scrap metal next to us on the dock, the crowds of "salespeople" (dates and carpet purchase, etc.), and the dust. But the ship agent has been excellent in doing what needs to be done - he even gave us the use of his office, and wireless network, a five-minute walk away, from where I am sending this communication.)
We arrived in Agadir on Saturday, December 8th, and explored about the city a bit during the afternoon (early curfew for precautionary purposes, all student groups including at least one male student, and females "modestly" dressed). Then early on Sunday - the bus was shipside by 6:15AM - we left for our adventure, traveling inland in a south easterly direction. There were a number of stops - at village
markets and other points of interest. (Toilets were generally of the PWAV- variety, that is, "pee with a view". More than once I gave quiet thanks for the efficiency of the male disposal equipment!) Our route took us several hundred kilometres to the edge of the Sahara, and within 30 km of the border with Algeria, currently a hostile state from Morocco?s point of view. (The military were not in evidence, but there were a half dozen police check points to go through. Incidentally, Morocco?s immediate neighbour to the south on the coast, Western Sahara, is occupied by Morocco.) On Sunday evening we stayed at a hotel in Zagora, then bussed further east in the morning - very arid territory, excepting close proximity to one "river", which is a trickle this time of year, and some "don't look down" climbs up through foothills and back down to the desert floor. After lunch in some shade (nicely catered ? there is a good bit of tourist excursion activity in this area, although we were the only group in evidence that day), and a visit to a bustling market, we drove a few more miles to the literal "end of the road". There I made the acquaintance of Daisy, "my" camel. The ride in to the camp site took about an hour and a half. Advance publicity notwithstanding, the camels patiently made their way up and over the low dunes and wound through the higher ones.
There were twenty of them, in lines of four (tethered one behind the other), each led by a Moroccan "herder". (Because we were a group of 38, at the halfway point those who had been walking replaced the riders to that point. The same procedure was followed on our return the next morning, although with just slightly less enthusiasm. As one of the teachers, I did not want to displace any students desiring a ride back out; nevertheless, Daisy and I were reunited for most of the journey.) I will not be walking quite as fluidly for a day or so - a few hours of camel riding, climbing the highest sand dune in the area to watch the sun set, out at 3:00 AM to look at the stars in the chill of the desert night, and a 12-hour bus ride back to the ship was noted by various body parts as I rolled out of my bunk this morning!) Land rovers had preceded us and the "safari" company personnel had made the site ready. Four-person tents arranged in a semi-circle opened to a camp fire area and a large dining tent, with a "his and her" tent further away for "wash up". We had some authentic Moroccan music and dancing around the fire. In the dining tent we sat on low stools and ate with our bread what I would call a hearty stew (the proper name
escapes me). Most of us were asleep quite early. During a "comfort break" during the night, I marveled at the canopy of stars (mentioned above) and the silence of the desert. It was a special little interval in this larger adventure, one which seemed particularly moving with Advent in my thoughts.
The next morning we had a breakfast of tea and bread, and "broke camp" at first light, arriving back at the bus, and the road, to tackle the return to Agadir. Today we sail at 4:00 PM - my last sail - with Las Palmas, the Canary Islands, our Saturday destination. Exams await the students Thursday through to Saturday lunch time. I fly home via Madrid, London and Toronto on Monday. I'll see most of you very soon! It has been a blast.
Dr "T"/Maurice/Dad/Papa/Tug
The last few days have been a terrific experience. (To set the stage, the astetics of our ship berth location are - well - third world: The smells of human waste and fish "by product", loose dogs, feral cats, the huge pile of scrap metal next to us on the dock, the crowds of "salespeople" (dates and carpet purchase, etc.), and the dust. But the ship agent has been excellent in doing what needs to be done - he even gave us the use of his office, and wireless network, a five-minute walk away, from where I am sending this communication.)
We arrived in Agadir on Saturday, December 8th, and explored about the city a bit during the afternoon (early curfew for precautionary purposes, all student groups including at least one male student, and females "modestly" dressed). Then early on Sunday - the bus was shipside by 6:15AM - we left for our adventure, traveling inland in a south easterly direction. There were a number of stops - at village
markets and other points of interest. (Toilets were generally of the PWAV- variety, that is, "pee with a view". More than once I gave quiet thanks for the efficiency of the male disposal equipment!) Our route took us several hundred kilometres to the edge of the Sahara, and within 30 km of the border with Algeria, currently a hostile state from Morocco?s point of view. (The military were not in evidence, but there were a half dozen police check points to go through. Incidentally, Morocco?s immediate neighbour to the south on the coast, Western Sahara, is occupied by Morocco.) On Sunday evening we stayed at a hotel in Zagora, then bussed further east in the morning - very arid territory, excepting close proximity to one "river", which is a trickle this time of year, and some "don't look down" climbs up through foothills and back down to the desert floor. After lunch in some shade (nicely catered ? there is a good bit of tourist excursion activity in this area, although we were the only group in evidence that day), and a visit to a bustling market, we drove a few more miles to the literal "end of the road". There I made the acquaintance of Daisy, "my" camel. The ride in to the camp site took about an hour and a half. Advance publicity notwithstanding, the camels patiently made their way up and over the low dunes and wound through the higher ones.
There were twenty of them, in lines of four (tethered one behind the other), each led by a Moroccan "herder". (Because we were a group of 38, at the halfway point those who had been walking replaced the riders to that point. The same procedure was followed on our return the next morning, although with just slightly less enthusiasm. As one of the teachers, I did not want to displace any students desiring a ride back out; nevertheless, Daisy and I were reunited for most of the journey.) I will not be walking quite as fluidly for a day or so - a few hours of camel riding, climbing the highest sand dune in the area to watch the sun set, out at 3:00 AM to look at the stars in the chill of the desert night, and a 12-hour bus ride back to the ship was noted by various body parts as I rolled out of my bunk this morning!) Land rovers had preceded us and the "safari" company personnel had made the site ready. Four-person tents arranged in a semi-circle opened to a camp fire area and a large dining tent, with a "his and her" tent further away for "wash up". We had some authentic Moroccan music and dancing around the fire. In the dining tent we sat on low stools and ate with our bread what I would call a hearty stew (the proper name
escapes me). Most of us were asleep quite early. During a "comfort break" during the night, I marveled at the canopy of stars (mentioned above) and the silence of the desert. It was a special little interval in this larger adventure, one which seemed particularly moving with Advent in my thoughts.
The next morning we had a breakfast of tea and bread, and "broke camp" at first light, arriving back at the bus, and the road, to tackle the return to Agadir. Today we sail at 4:00 PM - my last sail - with Las Palmas, the Canary Islands, our Saturday destination. Exams await the students Thursday through to Saturday lunch time. I fly home via Madrid, London and Toronto on Monday. I'll see most of you very soon! It has been a blast.
Dr "T"/Maurice/Dad/Papa/Tug
Monday, December 10, 2007
From Here to Agadir
From here (Palermo) to Agadir, our longest sail, November 26 - December 8th
On Monday (departure day), Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday there was nothing of consequence to report. The weather was cloudy, the seas high, but seasickness wasn?t an issue. We are all rather used to the Concordia's performances under varied conditions by now. Classes are going well, and we will finish second "term" this sail, except for a review class and the exam on the voyage from Agadir to Las Palmas. On this leg of the trip I will have taught twelve consecutive days, and
15 classes in each of the two courses, the equivalent of five weeks instruction in a regular Acadia term. It is a busy time!
Thursday through to Sunday featured light breezes and very pleasant conditions. There was a lot of sitting out on deck at available times by all. Shorts and tee shirts, sun block and sun hats are our informal uniforms. A highlight on Friday was "swim call". The ship was stopped - it was dead calm - the zodiac was launched with a couple of strong swimmers on board and they stood off a bit, rather like an ambulance and attendants at a track meet. We were able to jump into the water from the bow sprit, a good height, and swim to mid-ships and a rope ladder. It was great fun, the water was the Mediterranean of course, but on the last day of November not summer warm. I had never swum in kilometer deep water before. An added bonus was a giant sea turtle that happened by at the time. Sunday evening and under way again, we were joined by a dozen or so dolphins at the bow. It was just dark, and the phosphoresce from the algae in the water, disturbed by the passage of the dolphins, was like a special effects light show. It was simply beautiful.
On Monday the wind was up - although a bright day. There were a number of whale sightings. We passed through the Strait of Gibraltar in early evening and into the night. A friend's cell phone and a tower in range allowed me to leave a short message with Claudia's answering machine. Tuesday and Wednesday were hot and sunny as well as we followed along the coast of Morocco. While passing Casablanca (and cell tower availability) I left a few words with Claudia's answering machine again, and Barna's as well (as she is celebrating a birthday this week). The Miss Concordia "Pageant" was held on Wednesday evening - nine males dressed, performed, and were interviewed. I played the part of the tough judge. What follows is a sample question from my "package":
"Should an individual whose bust measurement exceeds her IQ by more
than two standard deviations be:
(1) Sterilized
(2) Have her DNA made available for scientific investigation
(3) Accept a management position with the Hooters restaurant chain
(4) All of the above??"
The evening was fun, if way "over the top" by times.
Thursday and Friday (today) were routine days. We are anchored off Agadir tonight and will come into the harbour in the morning. The weather continues to be favourable, although sleeping has been difficult the past several nights. As a result of heavy storms further north of us - I am counting my blessings - there is a long steady sea swell which rocks the Concordia constantly. It will roll you to the
edge of your bunk, then slam you back against the wall. Putting an extra pillow on one side, and two life jackets on the other has cut down my bunk "roll velocity" some what, but we're all taking a bit of a pounding. However, better this than sea sick enabling conditions!
This in-port programme should be fun. Tomorrow is a free day to roam about the city market and the other sights. Sunday through Tuesday we will be camping in the desert, with camels as one of our sources of transportation. I'll let you all know how it goes!
On Monday (departure day), Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday there was nothing of consequence to report. The weather was cloudy, the seas high, but seasickness wasn?t an issue. We are all rather used to the Concordia's performances under varied conditions by now. Classes are going well, and we will finish second "term" this sail, except for a review class and the exam on the voyage from Agadir to Las Palmas. On this leg of the trip I will have taught twelve consecutive days, and
15 classes in each of the two courses, the equivalent of five weeks instruction in a regular Acadia term. It is a busy time!
Thursday through to Sunday featured light breezes and very pleasant conditions. There was a lot of sitting out on deck at available times by all. Shorts and tee shirts, sun block and sun hats are our informal uniforms. A highlight on Friday was "swim call". The ship was stopped - it was dead calm - the zodiac was launched with a couple of strong swimmers on board and they stood off a bit, rather like an ambulance and attendants at a track meet. We were able to jump into the water from the bow sprit, a good height, and swim to mid-ships and a rope ladder. It was great fun, the water was the Mediterranean of course, but on the last day of November not summer warm. I had never swum in kilometer deep water before. An added bonus was a giant sea turtle that happened by at the time. Sunday evening and under way again, we were joined by a dozen or so dolphins at the bow. It was just dark, and the phosphoresce from the algae in the water, disturbed by the passage of the dolphins, was like a special effects light show. It was simply beautiful.
On Monday the wind was up - although a bright day. There were a number of whale sightings. We passed through the Strait of Gibraltar in early evening and into the night. A friend's cell phone and a tower in range allowed me to leave a short message with Claudia's answering machine. Tuesday and Wednesday were hot and sunny as well as we followed along the coast of Morocco. While passing Casablanca (and cell tower availability) I left a few words with Claudia's answering machine again, and Barna's as well (as she is celebrating a birthday this week). The Miss Concordia "Pageant" was held on Wednesday evening - nine males dressed, performed, and were interviewed. I played the part of the tough judge. What follows is a sample question from my "package":
"Should an individual whose bust measurement exceeds her IQ by more
than two standard deviations be:
(1) Sterilized
(2) Have her DNA made available for scientific investigation
(3) Accept a management position with the Hooters restaurant chain
(4) All of the above??"
The evening was fun, if way "over the top" by times.
Thursday and Friday (today) were routine days. We are anchored off Agadir tonight and will come into the harbour in the morning. The weather continues to be favourable, although sleeping has been difficult the past several nights. As a result of heavy storms further north of us - I am counting my blessings - there is a long steady sea swell which rocks the Concordia constantly. It will roll you to the
edge of your bunk, then slam you back against the wall. Putting an extra pillow on one side, and two life jackets on the other has cut down my bunk "roll velocity" some what, but we're all taking a bit of a pounding. However, better this than sea sick enabling conditions!
This in-port programme should be fun. Tomorrow is a free day to roam about the city market and the other sights. Sunday through Tuesday we will be camping in the desert, with camels as one of our sources of transportation. I'll let you all know how it goes!
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