Saturday, May 15, 2004

Email from Dean Wiley, crew on the Nordhavn 46 Egret: Georgs, It was nice to talk to you tonight at the bon voyage party. As we discussed, a number of crew members have expressed an interest in sharing photos that have been taken during the trip. After some discussion with Milt, I volunteered as the "Photo Grunt" to take on the job of collectging the digital or film images and organizing them on a final CD that every crew member can have to take home. To add some interest to the exercize, PAE has agreed to sponsor a photo contest on each leg of the voyage. I wish you calm seas and fair winds, especially since we will be about 2 miles behind your vessel the whole way. cheers Dean Wiley crew on EGRET 10:37:22 PM    comment []

On Sunday, after the first half of the fleet departs for Bermuda at 1600, Fred Wunderlich will post photos of the start at http://abaco.pwr.com/NAR2004/. Ken Williams aboard Sans Souci, one of the larger boats that will depart Monday ar 1600, will also be posting photos, at http://sanssouci.talkspot.com. Because of the satellite telephone system aboard his Nordhavn 62, Ken is hoping to be able to post photos at his site even when under way across the Atlantic. 10:28:40 PM    comment []

Here is the scoop on the watch system aboard Autumn Wind: WATCH SYSTEM We will have three watch teams; each will hold a four hour watch. Watch Captain will be responsible for the watch. Team A will have Brad as Watch Captain Team B will have Eric as Watch Captain Team C will have Bill as Watch Captain 0600 to 1000 Bill and Arline 1000 to 1400 Eric and Mike 1400 to 1800 Brad and Georgs 1800 to 2200 Bill and Arline 2200 to 0200 Eric and Mike 0200 to 0600 Brad and Georgs Each team will perform the following: 1. Plot and record each hour in log book and on chart 2. Check and record engine room inspection each hour 3. stand watch monitoring radar, radio, electrical panel, pump panel, and general watch keeping 4. log fuel usage 5. Be aware and be awake at all times 6. No food or liquids near any electronic gear Arline will be responsible for water watch and how often we need to make water. She and she alone will control washing machine and dryer use. Bill will be responsible to calculate fuel usage and tankage 4:15:26 PM    comment []

To: NAR-2004 Fm: Ocean Marine Nav, Inc,. NJ/USA 1135Z 15 MAY 2004 Synopsis/Outlook: High pressure currently centered near Bermuda with a ridge extending WSW across the SE'rn/US will change little through Sun/16. By Sun/pm the high/ridge will weaken as a new high cell moves off the northern US East Coast and merges with the ridge pattern creating a new, more elongated high cell that extends from the Cabot Straits SSW toward 32N 70W by Mon/night. On Tue/18th the high cell is expected to begin moving NE'ward across the north-central Atlantic while the associated ridge lays semi/stationary SW'ward across 35N 70W, then WSW across northern Florida by 18th/night. On Wed the ridge will "split" into two high cells with a weaker 1024mb high cell redeveloping near Bermuda by Wed/night and continuing into Thur/am. The high should weaken to 1020mb and remain semi/stationary over or just south of Bermuda Fri/21-Sat/22.  Overall weather picture is still very optimistic for the transit leg to Bermuda after the initial day to day and a half of fresh Easterly winds and a bit lumpy sea. For the SLOW GROUP departure Sunday/16th along this route expect: Sun/16: E-ESE 16-22kt. Sea/swell ENE-E 6-7ft, to 6ft late, 6-7sec periods. Mon/17: E to ESE 12-19kt. Swell E 5-6ft occ 7ft, 8sec periods. Tue/18: ESE-E 10-17kt. Swell East 5-6ft, 7-8 sec build NE 6-7ft during Tue/pm. Wed/19: ESE to ENE 09-15kt. Swell ENE 6-7ft, 6-7 sec periods Thu/20: E-ESE 05-14kt, E 5-6ft. Fri/21-Sat/22: Veer SE-SW 05-15kt. Ease E-NE 4-6ft Fri. Conf 2-3ft on Sat. For the FAST GROUP departure Monday/17th along this route expect: Mon/17: E'ly 14-22kt, occ higher til north Bah/Banks. Swell E 5-6ft occ 7-8ft, 8sec. Tue/18: E-ESE 10-18kt. Swell East 5-6ft, build NE 6-7ft eve-night. Wed/19: E to ENE 09-15kt. Swell ENE 6-7ft, 6-7 sec periods. Thu/20: E-ESE 05-14kt, E 5-6ft. Fri/21-Sat/22: SE-SW 05-15kt. Ease E-NE 4-6ft Fri. Conf 2-3ft on Sat. B/Rgds, OMN 4:12:30 PM    comment []