Phone: 250.885.2311| Toll Free: 1.888.922.8822| Email: threehoursail@gmail.com

1939 – 1969vintage photo of the DUEN

Duen was originally built as a fishing vessel in Flekkefjord, Norway.

She was designed using Pitch Pine and Oak wood, and was used as a fishing vessel for 30 years off the Northern coast of Norway and Iceland.


old newspaper clipping from 19401940 - 1941

When German forces occupied Norway in 1940, a stream of refugees began heading west, most of whom landed in Shetland, a small town in the northernmost part of Scotland, United Kingdom.

 The Secret Intelligence Service and Special Operations Executive Norwegian Naval Independent Unit decided to utilize the link to Shetland (located in the north sea about halfway between Norway and Scotland) to shuttle out refugees and people of wartime importance.

Duen was one of the many fishing vessels involved in the ‘Shetland Bus’ operation. The ship transported Norwegian nuclear scientists from German-occupied Norway to the Shetland Islands to protect their scientific discoveries and prevent them from being forced into service by the Nazis.

Duen Map of the movements of the Shetland Bus operation.


newspaper clipping on the duen in 19701970 - 1986

Duen was purchased by an adventurous American couple, Dottie and Albert Fletcher, who saw the offshore potential in the full keel of Duen. The Fletchers bought Duen in Norway then redesigned her to create a loftier and more graceful sail plan.

After the conversion, the couple set sail on a 15 year world tour.

The couple completed a full circumnavigation of the earth, as well as two South Pacific journeys, all without electronic aids (except for an old “Simrad” paper depth sounder and a trusted traditional “sextant”).

In the late 70’s, the Fletchers took on a young Canadien crew named Michael Hobbis who sailed with them through the South Pacific. Mike fell in love with the wild and free lifestyle of sailing, and never forgot about this formative experience with the Fletchers, learning traditional navigation from Albert Fletcher with the trusted Sextant.

The couple were close with famous British circumnavigator and author, Jimmy Cornell, who wrote about them several times in his publications with Cruising World magazine.

More about the Fletchers Journey: 1971 - 1986


man on bow of ship1986

This was a huge part of our beginning

Mike and Manon Hobbis flew to Barbados, where they intercepted the Fletchers on a Caribbean voyage. They were eager to make their dreams of sailing together on Duen a reality.

Once they spotted the vessel, Mike eagerly swam out to the vessel from the beach. The Fletchers announced after 15 years of worldwide seafaring adventures that it was time to return to a life on land, and the Hobbis’ were a perfect match for their beautiful vessel.

Mike and Manon Hobbis purchased the vessel and spent nine months sailing her through the Caribbean and the East Coast of the United States. Duen was again renovated and equipped with a full range of new navigational and safety equipment to meet Transport Canada safety requirements.

ship in font of city scapeLater that year, Mike and Manon started ‘Duen Sailing Adventure Inc.’ They began by sailing Duen with teenage students as part of a youth training program along the Altantic Eastern seaboard. They kicked off their first year in business together by participating in the New York Harbour Liberty Day Celebration.

More about Our Journey: 1986 - Present


1988

After two amazing years of sail training along the North East Atlantic coastline and through the Caribbean, Michael and Manon made the long journey back to their home waters in the Pacific Northwest.

Mike and Mannon in the 80s

They sailed the Eastern seaboard, through the Panama Canal and back to the beautiful British Columbia coast, via the Galapagos Islands and Hawaii. Duen had once more proved herself a solid offshore vessel.

guen world travel map

More about Our Journey: 1939 - 1970

More about Our Journey: 1971 - 1986

More about Our Journey: 1986 - Present


The 1990s and Beyond

1990

Duen received Canadian passenger carrying certification for the entire British Columbia coastline.

1993

Duen’s interior was completely renovated to create private accommodations, consisting of 4 double or twin cabins, with skylights and porthole in each. A new electrical system and water tanks were added to the vessel.

1990 – 1997

Duen was recruited to take part in the “Coastwatch” marine environmental program at Lester B. Pearson United World College. The program allowed students from all over the world, as well as curious explorers from the local community, the opportunity to participate in activities related to local environmental conservation. Mike was in charge of all aspects of operation and safety of the College water activities from sailing, to motor boating to diving. Mike and Manon were also houseparents at the school.

summer guided sailing  group

1993 – 2017

Mike and Manon begin their own ecotourism company, “The Natural Coast ®“. They offered summer guided sailing charters along the Northern Coast of B.C. Their unique charters allowed guests to explore the spectacular and untouched beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest, Haida Gwaii and Alaska.


1995 – Present

Mike and Manon partnered with retired police officer and Captain Martin Pepper to create S.E.A. Programs Inc: Sailing Educational Adventures . The new venture was designed to introduce and teach youth basic sailing skills, discover and learn about the natural beauty within the Salish sea and the Gulf Islands. The company caters to Grade 9 students from Alberta, and provides 5-day sailing adventures in the shoulder seasons (March-June and September/October). Duen is still actively used as a part of S.E.A Programs, and can sleep fourteen students, two chaperones and two crew.

photos of ship and designation

Rob and Mike2018 – Present

When Captain Rob McAllum decided to retire and sail his vessel Thane offshore to the South seas, Duen slipped in to take his place as a tourism operator in the Victoria Inner Harbour. Mike and Manon purchased Three Hour Sail, and have been operating Duen over the summer season ever since.


shots of DUen


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