25 June 2000 - Sunday

Today at 16:10 Antica left the hospitable Liberty Marina in New Jersey. An hour later being escorted by the yachts of New York's sailors she sailed under the Verezano bridge and started the return cruise to Europe. There are two young sailors Tomasz Smigiel and Nikodem Rachon in the crew.

Two weeks in New York were spent on preparing the yacht to the navigation across the Atlantic. Captain found, of course, the time to meet the old friends, some of them participants of sailing expeditions from the past and new sympathisers. There were two big meetings on board filled with songs and sea stories. One of the meeting took place at the editorial office of Kurier Wprost where I was talking about both of my expeditions.

Antica left New York with a new radio and a number of other useful things. Most of them are the gifts from the sailors from Chicago, Baltimore and New York. The last event for Antica in New York was taking part (as a committee vessel) in regatta for the challenge cup organised by Polish Sailing Club in New York. Apart from the club's commander Andrzej Grudka there were the Maritime Consul in New York Jerzy Kleniewski along with the group of the representatives of The Maritime Transport and Industry Ministry.

Finally I would like to thank all (and there is quite a lot to be thankful to) sailors and sympathisers who during my stay in the States showed interest and had liking for me and Antica and those who offered help in various forms. I want to thank those who were so kind as to visit my little sailing boat. I'll see you in some time with great pleasure.

Capt. Jerzy Wąsowicz

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