Sailor "tattoos"

"Sailor tattoos date back to at least the 16th century among European sailors, and since colonial times among American sailors. Sailor tattoos have served as protective talismans in sailors' superstitions, records of important experiences, markers of identity, and means of self-expression."

Since the early days of 59º North, we’ve adapted the old-school sailor tattoo tradition by creating a series of milestone embroidered patches, in the old-school tattoo style. Each boat has it’s own branded patch that everyone who sails with us gets, and then for certain important milestones, based on the same traditions as the tattoos, we’ve created a patch for that too. The complete gallery of ‘earnable’ patches is below! Special thanks to Constance, our friend and tattoo artist in Portugal who hand-drew the tattoo designs below; to Steve O. for digitizing them (and for designing the original patches back in the early days!); and to Laura for the Press Gang patch design!

59º North Sailing

Sailed with 59º North Sailing

Puffin Patrol

Spotted our favorite seabird the puffin on a 59º North passage!

Bluenose

Sailed above the Arctic Circle at 66º 33' North.

Swallow

1 swallow earned for every 5,000 nautical miles sailed.

Sextant

Completed a passage using only traditional celestial navigation.

80º North

Reached 80º North latitude in Svalbard.

Fully-Rigged Ship

Official "doubling" of Cape Horn - a passage of at least 3,000 miles, sailing from 50º South latitude on one side, to 50º South latitude on the other.

Havana

Completed a passage to or from Cuba.

Shellback

Sailed across the equator in either direciton.

Anchor

Completed a trans-Atlantic passage under sail.

Antarctica

Sailed to Antarctica.

Press Gang

Volunteer to recruit crew for 59º North, or brought a friend along on a passage.

Hawaii

Completed a passage to or from the islands of Hawaii.

Golden Dragon

Sailed across the International Date Line in either direction.