It has been about a week since we left Fort Lauderdale. Right now we are approaching Jamaica, where we are expecting to arrive in a few hours. It has been a fantastic trip, giving us different weather and sailing conditions. Some of our crew has been challenged with seasickness. Personally, I have enjoyed sailing Oceans of Hope and I am grateful that I have not sacrificed any dinners to Neptune. But now there is land in sight, and everybody is looking forward to some solid ground under their feet – and a nice long shower… in fresh water!

One week on the seas, nine people together, who for the most part did not know each other in advance. It can be a challenge! Everyone has participated and given their best. And why have we done that? You can wonder a lot, but one guess could be, that it is about the core of the Oceans of Hope project. To be on board a sailboat is equal to setting a frame. A setting that is clear and well defined to ensure that the boat is functioning well, especially when the waves go high. The settings are defined by the philosophy in Oceans of Hope, by the permanent crew and by the different crew that are on board at all times. We as crew, though, are probably more occupied filling these settings. To me, an important part of the Oceans of Hope philosophy is to create room and conditions for empowerment.

You are on board this fantastic orange, slightly heavy iron lady. You are taken out of your daily rhythms and routines, and brought into this unique environment, where you can let go of all bonds, all the expectations of the regular settings, that can sometimes be limiting. And suddenly you are sitting on the top of a wave, saying: “Wauw – what have I done to deserve to feel this good?”

Well, yeah! I have applied for this unique project, started by a man who dared to challenge the settings – who dares to work with empowerment – and who dares to set the frame, not to fall in the ditch and make your disease your identity, but just a companion!

Maybe there is some more reflecting to do on the next wave!

En reflektioner pa rullende bolge I Caribien

Det er efterhanden en uge siden vi forlod Fort Lauderdale, lige nu narmer vi os Jamica, hvor vi forventes at vare ved destinationen om fa time. Det har varet en fantastisk tur, der har budt pa forskellige vejr- og sejlbetingelser. Men desvarre ogsa vejrbetingelser der har udfordret noget af besatningen med sosyge. Peronligt har jeg nydt sejladsen i fulde drag, og til alt held varet forskanet for ofringer til Neptun. Men nu er der land I sigte, og alle glader sig til fast grund under fodderne – og et dejligt langt bad! - i ferskvand

En uge pa soen 9 mennesker sammen, der for hovedpartens vedkommende ikke kender hinanden i forvejen, kan I sig selv vare en udfordring. Men det synes at vare en udfordring, der er blevet taklet. Alle har ydet og givet det bedste I sig. Og hvorfor har vi nu det? Det kan der gisnes meget om, men et bud kan vare, det handler om fundering af OOH projekter. At vare ombord pa en sejlbad, er ensbetydende med, at der er sat en ramme, en ramme der er klar og veldefineret, som forudsatningen for, at fa baden til at fungere, i sardeleshed nar bolgen er hoj. Rammen sattes af filosofien I OOH, af den faste besatning og det crew der til enhver tid er ombord pa baden, vi som crew er dog nok mere optaget af at udfylde rammen. For mig er en vigtig del af OOH filosofien, at der skabes rum og betingelser for empowerment.

Du er ombord pa denne fantastiske orange, lidt tunge jerndame, du bringes ud af dine daglige rytmer og rutiner, og bringes I dette unikke miljo, hvor du kan slippe alle band, al den forudindtagethed fra hjemlige rammer, der ind i mellem kan vare begransende. Og pludselig sidder du pa toppen af en bolge, og siger wau – hvad har jeg dog gjort, siden jeg skal have det sa godt – jo! jeg har meldt mig til et unikke projekt, der er startet af en mand og som tor udfordre rammerne – der tor arbejde med empowerment – og som tor give rammerne for ikke at falde ned i groften, og gore sygdom til idenditet, men til en ledsager!

Maske er der en reflektion henne pa naste bolgetop!

Report from  Bosun Bertram:

Land in sight, mon!!! Montego Bay on Jamaica is 30 minutes away, and I barely have time to write this report before we have to get the fenders and mooring lines ready. We have sailed for three days since leaving the Exumas in Bahamas, and all in all we have had great weather with a bit of showers. We are all very much looking forward to exploring this Caribbean island, which we should have at least 3 or 4 days to. Also we are looking forward to seeing our skipper Kristian again, after a well deserved Christmas holiday.

Local time on board is 11:45 and our current position is 18'29.65N , 77'56.32W.