On New Year’s Eve 2019, Giulia Baccosi received a message from a friend offering her a job as a cook on a cargo ship sailing from Europe to Central America. Initially uncertain about her decision to leave for a job in Sicily, she accepted the opportunity to join the ship, the Avontuur, instead.
The Avontuur, an old schooner, set sail from Germany in early January 2020, with Giulia responsible for preparing three daily meals for the crew. After 36 days at sea, the ship docked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where the crew was excited to join the carnival festivities. Soon after, however, they heard about a mysterious virus causing quarantines on the island.
While continuing their voyage, the crew spotted a small fishing vessel in distress, carrying 16 migrants who had been adrift for over ten days. Despite the Avontuur’s limited capacity, the crew provided food and medical assistance before calling the coastguard for help.
Days later, the crew received unexpected news about COVID-19, which was beginning to impact the world. With ports and borders closing, they faced uncertainty about future dockings and communication with family. With only satellite email available, fears of not being able to contact loved ones grew.
As the situation unfolded, the crew became increasingly confined to the ship amidst rising tensions and dwindling food supplies. Giulia’s concerns shifted to sustaining the crew and their living conditions. Creative solutions were implemented for cooking as the threat of resource shortages loomed.
In June 2020, after months at sea, the Avontuur finally reached Horta in the Azores, where the crew was allowed to disembark after testing for COVID-19. The voyage back to Germany was marked by challenges, but also moments of camaraderie as they celebrated their return.
After 188 days at sea, the Avontuur docked in Hamburg. Reflecting on her journey, Giulia noted a shift in herself, grappling with how her experiences would integrate with her previous life. Remarkably, this tumultuous adventure did not deter her from a maritime career, as she continues to work on boats, seeking guidance from the stars above.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crev9y77njpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss