Berserk in the Antarctic

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Picked this up in the bank of all places - they have a charity books table - and read it in a couple of days.

Written by a guy called David Mercy, it tells the tale of a relatively short voyage from Cape Horn to Antarctica - a few weeks at most - but one which is filled with drama, not the least of which involves the relationships between the three crew members and how they cope - or in at least one case doesn't cope - with the rigours of life in the polar wastes.

Not sure how hyberbolic it is, but it is a good if chilling - pun intended - read!
 
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xyachtdave

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Hi Dougie

I have noticed nobody gets much of a response in the book club........

Berserk by David Mercey is one of the best books I have ever read, the sailing theme is a bonus.

A first class Christmas present for a sailing friend.

Dave
 

Poignard

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Is that about the Scandinavian young man who sailed a very small grp yacht to South America, picked up a couple of hobos with no sailing experience and then went into Antarctica, where one of them decided he'd had enough and transferred to a cruise ship?

If so, I saw a film about it on television a few years ago. Conditions on board were terrible and one of the hobos went into depression. (Not surprisingly!). The other hobo seemed to adapt quite well.
 

xyachtdave

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Is that about the Scandinavian young man who sailed a very small grp yacht to South America, picked up a couple of hobos with no sailing experience and then went into Antarctica, where one of them decided he'd had enough and transferred to a cruise ship?

If so, I saw a film about it on television a few years ago. Conditions on board were terrible and one of the hobos went into depression. (Not surprisingly!). The other hobo seemed to adapt quite well.



Yes you are quite right, Wild Vikings I think is their YouTube channel if you want to catch up.

The boat, a 27ft Albin Vega, sailed from Norway to Argentina singlehanded by a 21 year old who then survived a F12 in the Drake passage....edge of the seat stuff!

Unfortunately earlier this year I think, a tragic incident occurred resulting in the death of 3 people when a vessel sunk. A lot of speculation over timings/ weather etc in YW.
 

Poignard

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Thanks. I can't find much about the Albin Vega trip on YouTube but from what I recall of the TV film, conditions on board were really grim: soaked sleeping bags, no heat, no heads etc. :eek:
 

chinita

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It was not the Vega which was lost but a second generation 'Beserk' - much more substantial steel.

Three crew perished, the other two were ashore and found their way to some isolated Scientific Station.

I think the two stories are linked by the common skipper - a true Viking nutter if ever there was one!

This is the steel 'Beserk' in the NW Passage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkFrx4tD0C8

And 'Sea Shepherd' looking for her in the Antarctic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgHHr_mD7kk&feature=related
 
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chinita

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Oh, sorry about that.

I assumed that they had merely upscaled to a bigger steel boat.

To lose one boat may be considered unfortunate but to lose two.................
 

Madeo

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I agree! But then Moitessier lost one or two, didn't he?

Met a trio of young Norwegians this summer and talked about this 'Berserk' guy - apparently even the Norwegians think he's a wild man! They also said he's in quite a bit of trouble for being in Antarctica without the right authorisation...

Brian.
 

mrchippy

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hi i've been looking for the dvd everywhere with no success . Does anyone have a copy they want to sell?? thanks dave
 

oldvarnish

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thanks all. You've reminded me to read this book. I was tied alongside Berserk a year ago in the Beagle Channel. The boat looked tired and many tales abound about the mad Viking skipper.
 

Tidewaiter2

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Me too: I was there shortly after the first Berserk trip and there was much shaking of heads at the Micalvi...

The Skipper is/was very probably the very last of the Jomsvikings bloodline.
Deffo Fyrisvellir material. Shame about not having a Skald handy for his side of the story in court.
A few charges likely under Merchant shipping and Antarctica legislation??
 
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