What is your name, where are you from and how old are you?

My Name is Lars Udsen. I’m 26 years old and I’m from Denmark. 

What inspired you to join Bark EUROPA, how did you join the crew?

I first heard off the Europa, when I was a student on the traningsship Danmark back in 2020. One of the mates onboard had worked on Europa, and he told us about the ship and his time onboard. When I saw the pictuers and heard his stories from the Antarctic, I knew I wanted to sail on the Europa. Also, the Europa has a reputation as a proper ship that sails well and hard. That also motivated me a lot.

What is your role on board?

My position onboard is deckhand. As a deckhand you help run the watch with the voyage-crew. The deckhands instruct the voyage crew during sail handling and teach them about the lines, sails, and the general life at sea. During the watch we also keep the ship tidy. We clean, help in the gally, do maintenance, check the safety equipment and much more. Onboard Europa the crew-structure is very fluid, and everyone help out and take part in the work all over the ship. 

Can you tell us more about your favorite voyage?

My favorite voyage onboard the Europa was the Cape to Cape. On this voyage you get to experience both the excitement of visiting remote locations of Antarctica and South Georgia, as well as the strangeness of life onboard a ship, on longer voyages. 

What is it like to live and work on a tall ship like Bark EUROPA?

Life onboard Europa as a rhythm. You follow the watch and the schedule. But it never gets boring. Every day is somehow different, and you experience something new on every watch. 

What I like the most about life onboard, is that everyone onboard, both permanent-crew and voyage-crew, has a role and do their part. When everyone gets the rhythm and sail handling runs smoothly, that’s when I really enjoy life onboard the most. 

What do you do when you are not on the ship?

Right now, I’m taking a little break from sailing, while I’m studying history back in Denmark. I’m not done with sailing, that’s for sure. I don’t know when ill be returning to Europa. Depends on how long it takes, before I get tired of life on shore. 

Could you tell us about a unique destination you've visited on board EUROPA and what made it special?

The most unique destination I’ve visit with the Europa, is Antarctica. It is special in many ways. It is harsh, remote, and full of life. Somehow, it’s both exactly that I expected and something completely different. 

What's the most memorable moment you've experienced while sailing on Bark EUROPA?

It is hard to name one memorable experience. I think you must look at the whole thing, as an experience. It is all the small moments together. The excitement of rough sailing and the tranquility of sailing on a calm sea with a steady wind. The long cold nights and the nice warm breakfast that follows. Everything together, in contrast.

What is the most important lesson you've learned from your experiences on Bark Europa?

The most important thing I learned from working on Europa, is the feeling of community that comes from working close together. I’ve never worked with people, who all work so hard. Everyone helps everyone, and everyone know that cutting corners only means that someone else must pick up after you. It is very confirming, and you feel like you want to give 110% just to keep up.

🌊 Discover the remote location of Antarctica, South Georgia, and Tristan da Cunha in 2025 during the 52-day Cape to Cape Expedition!