Life aboard the Danmark isn’t for everyone
Icelandic sailor Viktor Örn Ingvarsson says the voyage aboard the schooner Danmark has been exceptionally educational. Morgunblaðið/Karítas
The historic Danish sailing ship Danmark is currently docked at Ægisgarður in Reykjavík Harbour. Nearly 100 years old, the ship has a storied past and now serves as a maritime training vessel for young sailors. Among them is 21-year-old Viktor Örn Ingvarsson.
Since February, Viktor has sailed across the Atlantic with around 80 other young people, experiencing a range of challenges and adventures along the way.
A chance opportunity
Viktor says he joined the crew almost by accident after stumbling upon an online advertisement for crew members. He took the leap without much hesitation. The journey began in Málaga, Spain, earlier this year and will conclude in Denmark this July. Along the way, Danmark has made stops in Portugal, Ireland, and now Iceland for a short rest.
“It’s been tough, I admit—but mostly just fun,” Viktor says. “Sometimes you’re sitting down to dinner and suddenly realize you’re in the middle of the Atlantic, sailing a ship that looks like something out of a pirate movie. It’s wild.”
Not for the faint of heart
As part of their training, students are fully responsible for running the ship. “We’re given different tasks each day. A lot of the time, we’re sent up the masts to secure or adjust the sails,” Viktor explains. The tallest mast rises to about 40 meters, making the job a test of nerves as well as skill.
Viktor, a self-described thrill-seeker, says he doesn’t shy away from difficult or dangerous tasks. While the weather has mostly been kind, the voyage hasn’t been without risks—and he’s earned a few bumps and bruises along the way.
