Hoping the below letter from our COO helps shed some light on the delays we have encountered with our inaugural sail. It's the question I get all the time, and while I appreciate the concern, I remain committed to the company and the mission. 

On Saturday 8/24/24 - Our COO posted this letter to social media:

I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting news about the progress of the Odyssey and real 

information regarding the delay. I’ve seen many negative comments and opinions about why we are 

where we are, so I would like to address this briefly.

We embarked on an ambitious journey when we purchased the ship, anticipating smooth sailing 

ahead. However, we discovered that the ship’s certifications were completely out of class, and due 

to her being laid up for four years, we were treated as a "newbuild," which resulted in a much more 

extensive inspection process than we forecasted.

One significant setback we encountered was the delay in the rudder stocks. As we decided to 

handle the necessary preparations at the yard rather than sending them to another location, the 

yard itself faced unforeseen challenges, including financial constraints and the loss of their CEO. 

These obstacles were beyond our control and affected us as the yard struggled to maintain 

resources in-house while undergoing reorganization. Nonetheless, we got through it, and we 

appreciate the efforts H&W provided as we managed to overcome these obstacles.

Recognizing that the project was not advancing as efficiently as we had hoped, we made crucial 

internal changes to streamline operations and expedite the remaining work. Throughout this 

process, we maintained full transparency with our Residents, ensuring they were kept informed of 

both the challenges and the progress.

Despite the rumors, misinformation, and negativity that sometimes surrounded our efforts, we have 

persevered. The silver lining in this delay is clear: Our beautiful Odyssey is now stronger and safer. 

Our Residents have had the unique opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new home, and 

many have taken this time to personalize and upgrade their living spaces.

Most importantly, VVR, in collaboration with the Founders, has remained steadfast in our 

commitment to care for our Residents during this waiting period, providing lodging, transportation, 

airfare, and meals. We are now on the cusp of completing this unprecedented project, one that will 

soon become a reality, fulfilling the hopes and dreams of those who have patiently supported us.

To those who felt compelled to pressure us into sharing information prematurely, we remind you 

that this project has always been about taking a calculated risk, and our priority has always been 

the well-being and safety of our Residents. We will not apologize for focusing on the task at hand 

rather than entertaining external demands.

Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in us! The sun has been shining unusually bright in 

Belfast these past few days, which I see as a fitting metaphor—our moment of success is 

approaching! We look forward to our upcoming sea trials and our fast-approaching sail date. We 

embrace the challenges ahead as we build this company and foster a prosperous, vibrant 

community to circumnavigate the world together!

Cheers

Kathy, COO