The call to New York was canceled because of the Covid-19 eruption there. The plan was to hold parent meetings, open ship, receptions and private visits. The risk was too big and the Sørlandet set off for Bermuda. The country was at a very early stage of the pandemic spread.

Students and teachers are quarantined in bungalows and get some free and firm ground under foot after a long voyage. To avoid infection, parent meetings are cancelled for the rest of the school year.

Ships and crew are quarantined along the quay. Maintenance and contingency plans are updated. Captain, Chief and Medic are authorized and have medical responsibilities. contingency plans are updated with regard to the new pandemic.

Crew change is ongoing with several challenges. However, the crew is fantastic, and many will be on board all the way to Kristiansand without a crew change.

We have good communication with authorities. The municipal doctor in Kristiansand is clear that sending students home is the most dangerous option, and it is almost 100% likely that we can leave Bermuda after 14 days quarantine without the corona in the cargo.

After the quarantine of 14 days can Sørlandet sail on virus-free, and set course for Kristiansand, including updates on the virus situation and contact with relevant expertise and authority environments. It is a very long voyage, so there will be port calls for bunkering and new supplies along the way.

NRK Radio Sørlandet covered some of this: No one is infected

NRK Sørlandet Television covered the students' stay in Bermuda:
The school ship Sørlandet in quarantine and Koronafast abroad

A longer radio interview can also be heard on Sørlandssendinga 18.3.2020

‍