After months of preparation, the members of the Rockall expedition are ready for departure. The vessel "Commander Fourcault" left the port of Antwerp this afternoon and set course for Rockall Island (EU-189). Rockall is a small rock in the North Atlantic Ocean (57°35'48" N 13°41'19" W). In 2009, the same group had already made an attempt to activate this island. It was not successful then due to the harsh weather conditions.
Departure
This afternoon, one day later than planned, the ship "Commandant Fourcault" left the port of Antwerp. The members of the EU-189 expedition are Theo ON4ATW, Rudi ON7YT, Patrick ON4HIL and Karel ON5TN. They are accompanied by Johny ON4VJ and Henk ON4AHF. Johny and Jan will stay on board and take care of the communication with the crew and the photographs.
Trip to Rockall Island
The trip will take about three to four days. In the best case they will be on the island Tuesday evening. Everything depends on the weather conditions. In our previous flash you can see that it is not so easy to get to the rock. Once they have landed a station will be set up. Listen to MM0RAI/p on EU-189...
The ship "Cdt. Fourcault"
In the early 80's the ship was in service at the Hogere Zeevaartschool in Oostende. Previously, it had been a pilot boat. The ship was widely known for its poor seaworthiness - it rolled enormously! Some cadets got sick when they went over the gangway on board, when the ship was still moored at the quay! It was a bit of a punishment ship: if you had good results/points, you were allowed a first voyage (amarinage 6 weeks) with the Navy (to the sunny Mediterranean Sea ...), otherwise you were allowed to spit for a while on board the Fourcault, on the North Sea ... In the meantime, the ship has been completely renovated (beautiful accommodations compared to the past!) and is equipped with efficient stabilizers. But beware... these only work when the ship is moving and has speed! If you are lying still, expect the worst! (TNX Jean-Jacques - ON7EQ)
Follow the route
You can follow the expedition on Winlink. Search for ON7YT-9. You can also follow the ship's track on the Internet. The position is given via 'AIS' - this is a kind of 'MARINE APRS', which also works on the VHF marine band, so positions are only available when the ship is passing the coasts and is within range of AIS stations ashore.
For now, the position seems to be incorrect... During the voyage to Rockall, the expedition members will be heard on 80m /mm. So you can already listen to them.
Rockall website
If you want more information about this IOTA expedition, take a look at the Rockall website http://www.rockall.be. Let's hope for favourable weather conditions and especially a calm sea. We wish the expedition members the best of luck!
Click on the map to enlarge.
