Elsi Arrub
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The Elsi Arrub (Burra Isle spelled backwards) was a boat built by Andrew Halcrow. Leaving from Hamnavoe, Burra in June 1988, he and his brother Terry Halcrow sailed around the world, returning to Hamnavoe, Burra in August 1993 after a five year journey.
Solo Voyage
On the 27th June 2006, Andrew set sail from Hamnavoe, Burra and was expected to return between May and June, 2007. However in mid-December 2006 when he was off the coast of Australia, he begun to suffer from bad stomach pains, and eventually decided that he would have to contact any nearby vessels for rescue. The stomach pains were later discovered to be acute appendicitis, a deadly disease if left untreated. He was picked up by a tanker and airlifted to a hospital in Albany, Australia, leaving Elsi Arrub drifting in the southern ocean, with her future unknown. Following his recovery in Australia, Andrew arranged several fly-overs to search for Elsi in the vast Southern Indian Ocean. The first few attempts at locating the Elsi were unsuccessful, but it was eventually spotted on the February 13th 2007, floating about 170 miles from Australia and arrangements were made for it to be towed to shore. On hearing this news, Andrew flew out to Albany and was there to see the boat coming in. While in Australia, Andrew arranged for the boat to be returned home. The Else arrived home on May 24th 2007.
Since arriving home, Andrew has almost finished work on his boat and suggested on both Shetland Radio and in the Shetland Life that he might try to complete his non-stop solo trip around the world.
