After a pleasant stay in Dublin, the school ship set sail Sørlandet sailed towards Saint-Malo with 92 people on board – 72 students from A+ World Academy and 20 crew members. The voyage began with all sails set and calm conditions on the sea. The wind was light, but the sea was mirror-clear, and dolphins accompanied us for much of the way.

But the journey was also marked by sadness. The evening before departure, we received the sad news that our former boatswain and good friend, Adrian Willyson Brask, had passed away in an accident. Adrian was a towering figure on board – tall, strong, with a beard and a bald head – but with a heart of gold. Those who knew him will always remember him as a true sailor and a warm friend. The loss has affected the atmosphere on board, but also strengthened the unity.

Eventually the sails had to be taken down. The wind was not strong enough to carry us forward, and the current was taking us in the wrong direction. The engine was started, and the rest of the journey was completed by engine power. A total of 407 nautical miles were covered – 48 under sail and 359 by engine.

We arrived at the anchorage outside Saint-Malo on September 30 at 17:04 local time. Now a few days of preparations await before sailing: deep cleaning, maintenance and rigging of the tenders. Planned tasks include painting the anchor, rust work under the platform at the foremast, and testing the watertightness of the starboard windows.

The atmosphere on board has been marked by both sadness and joy. Many students have passed the rope test, and there have been sunny days and calm nights. It is clear that both nature and the community on board provide space for reflection – and for remembering those who have left their mark.

‍