Bell Buoy

After all the excitement in Quincy and Boston, where we welcomed many thousands of visitors aboard, we are now preparing for our final event in the United States. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., we will sail into the Port of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, together with two American sailing ships.

Two days ago, the Oosterschelde arrived off the coast near Portsmouth. We dropped anchor in a bay by the Isles of Shoals. This group of nine small islands lies about five nautical miles offshore and has been inhabited by a handful of fishermen and their families for over 400 years. Today, there is also a hotel on the islands, and a small ferry runs to the mainland once or twice a day.

The waters surrounding the islands are dotted with fishing gear and countless small marker buoys topped with little flags. Most of the flags are blue or black, making them difficult to spot against the water. Not very practical, as you often don’t see them until the last moment. On our arrival, we had to keep a sharp lookout, carefully zigzagging our way between the markers before reaching the bay.

Among the hundreds of small buoys, there is also a safe-water buoy marking the entrance to the bay for passing vessels. It is immediately recognizable by its distinctive vertical red-and-white stripes. The buoy is also fitted with a bell—a small, church-style bell mounted on top. As the buoy rises and falls with the ocean swell, the bell rings continuously, day and night. Fortunately, we’ve grown used to it by now!