After over a year of rebuilding an old boat, and a month of waiting for wind, three women raised anchor and set sail from North Carolina with their compass pointing east. Their mission was simple: to follow the movement of plastic pollution along the Gulf Stream to Europe. As they departed, however, it became apparent that the journey would encompass so much more. 

Kiana had sailed Mara Noka single-handed since 2018, so she was used to ocean passages. Lærke and Alizé on the other hand had little to no sailing experience, especially not a trans-Atlantic — but as land faded behind them, the feeling of unity between each other, the boat, and the ocean washed over them like a tidal wave. 

Their first two weeks brought them the adventure they were hoping for, and the introspection they never expected. A four day calm in a plastic-littered ocean was followed by three powerful low pressures, 10-20 ft seas, torn sails, wet beds, rain, and no sunshine. Alizé was seasick the entire time, not being able to keep down food or water, but she kept the camera rolling throughout it all. Days passed where the only time possible to go outside was to use the toilet, or because getting sprayed by waves was preferable to the stuffy, wet cabins; until finally, the wind slowly abated, and the clouds gave way to much needed sunshine.