One of the most historic boats afloat across the world’s oceans has now visited the Cook Islands for the first time, carrying over 20 visitors.

The Oosterschelde, a three-masted schooner originally from the Netherlands, was built in 1917 and has been sailing around the world for over a year, transporting passengers between different countries.

The vessel is travelling the routes of Charles Darwin’s journey from over 200 years ago. The renowned British naturalist and father of evolutionary theory travelled across the world including the Pacific.

Speaking to Cook Islands News, Captain Jan-Willen Bos said this might be his first time on the island, but he was already impressed by the welcoming nature of the local people he met upon docking at the Avatiu wharf on Thursday.

“We are here just for a few days and some of our crew and passengers will get off here and we will have some new passengers and crew members on board to join us to Tonga our next trip. In the meantime, we are here and we will enjoy the islands,” Captain Bos said.

“First impression is good; everyone is friendly and I hope I have some time to enjoy the island and looking forward to it.”

The ship arrived earlier this week but was unable to dock due to extreme swells.

“We were here for two days but we were not allowed to dock because of the swells and it was too dangerous, but we’re staying here for five days (approximately).”

The ship has seven crew members including Captain Bos and onboard were passengers who travelled from the Netherlands, United States, Australia, Fiji, Germany and Denmark.

The 50m-long ship served many years in Europe as a cargo ship and later sailed as a motor ship for some years. In 1988, the ship was restored to its original glory and according to Captain Bos, its current appearance is the same as it was 100 years ago.

The three-master schooner can carry 24 passengers per trip and is undertaking worldwide conservation projects amid its voyages.

From 2023 to 2025, Oosterschelde is scheduled to re-sail a 32-leg voyage, the routes of Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard HMS Beagle, and make landfall at key locations where Darwin stepped ashore.

During each of these stops, the ship will host groups of “Darwin Leaders” to undertake research projects in exactly the same locations visited by Charles Darwin two centuries ago.

DARWIN200 is searching for enthusiastic individuals to join the trainee crew and sail the spectacular tall ship Oosterschelde along 32 legs that make up the 2023-2025 Global Voyage.