Sad end to voyage of high ideals

EASTER ISLAND – The Kon-Tiki2 Expedition has decided to end the expedition after 114 days and 4500 nautical miles in the south-east Pacific, the crew announced in a last website update before abandoning their balsawood vessels.

“All Kon-Tiki2 crew members are now safely onboard the Hokuetsu Ushaka freight ship. This includes Balsa, our monkey mascot,” the website said.

“The balsa rafts were dismantled in a controlled fashion to not be a danger to other vessels. People and equipment were transferred from the raft to the freight ship.

“We are thankful to the captain and crew of the Hokuetsu Ushaka for welcoming us. Also, we thank the Chilean Navy for coordinating the operation in a highly professional manner.

“The goal of the expedition has been to show that balsa rafts can sail from South America to Easter Island, and back. The Expedition reached Easter Island after 43 days at sea, but the return voyage has proven more difficult due to atypical winds.”

In an earlier post to the website from the open ocean, expedition leader Torgeir Higraff said: “We realize that reaching South America will take too long and we prefer to evacuate to ensure safety for all.

“In a normal year, we would have reached South America by now. Instead, we are still 900 nautical miles from land and the weather forecasts are not promising.

“The crew is at good health and spirit, and there is no emergency situation. These rafts have proven to be exceptional vessels at sea. They have impressed us by their seaworthiness in all sorts of weather, over enormous and remote waters.

“Needless to say, it is sad to end the expedition without reaching South America,” Higraff said.

The Kon-Tiki2 Expedition has done important scientific research on climate change, marine life, plastics, and pollution in the Pacific.

The rafts were rigged as floating research vessels through a unique collaboration between a number of scientific and research agencies.

Cecilie Mauritzen, chief scientist of the expedition said they have gathered large sets of data on climate change and pollution.

“From a scientific point of view, it has been particularly interesting that the expedition took place in one of the strongest El Niño years recorded, even if El Niño now contributes to the termination of the expedition. As research partners, we look forward to receiving and analysing these data sets,” Mauritzen said. - PNC