The Blue Planet Odyssey and Pacific Odyssey yachts brought their stopover in the Galapagos to a close on Tuesday 10 March as they sailed west bound for the Marquesas in French Polynesia.
The yachts arrived in Baquerizo Moreno from Panama at the end of February and spent time here and in the capital Puerto Ayora.
As well as taking advantage of local excursions to other islands to experience the unique wildlife of the Galapagos, the sailors were able to meet with officials from the Galapagos National Park and local high school teachers and learn about the work that is being done to meet the challenges faced by the islands in the 21st century.
The sailors were also able to explain about the Odyssey science programs and the Park officials were especially interested in the data that will be collected from the drifter buoys and Argo floats that the boats are deploying in the Pacific.
As part of the Sail the Odyssey education program, Park Manager of Marine Resources Eduardo Espinoza and Tim Liveright from No Regrets conducted a Skype call with the two classes from schools in Pennsylvania, USA, that are following Tim’s progress around the world.
Visits were also arranged for local children to visit some of the yachts to experience life onboard.
Finally, on Monday 9 March Harry Reyes, director of conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems at the Park, signed the Odyssey souvenir logbooks, and a final Skippers’ briefing was held that evening. At 12 noon on Tuesday 10 March the boats left in light winds. They have one of their longest legs to look forward to: 2980 miles to the Marquesas.
The immensity of the Pacific awaits.