Main Menu -> SALTS -> Pacific Odyessy - 2007 Offshore -> Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3 -> September 27th 2007 @ 20:00
Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3
Tahiti to Fiji - for more information see http://www.salts.ca/010_SALTS_odyssey.htm
tracking Pacific Grace: 46 recorded positions
tracking Pacific Grace: 46 recorded positions
| Last Position: 16°58'36.12 S 173°54'25.20 W on September 27th 2007 @ 20:00 |
Heading 184°
Speed 6.3
Ship's Log:
I am giving Bonice the night off tonight as she is not feeling 100% and is in need of some
Re-energizing. This morning during the second sitting of breakfast (0800), we pulled up the anchor and began navigating the narrow channel that leads out of the lagoon surrounding the island of Niuatoputapu. The original plan was to try and meet up with some of the Humpback whales (which make this region the place they grow their calves), and possibly swim with them, as some of the crew and trainees did yesterday. However, when we spotted them 1nm off the reef, we decided that the whales were not up to seeing visitors, as they kept disappearing and reappearing a good distance away from us. Around the same time, in the hold, Gillian said that the lineup and usage of the head was the largest she has ever seen (from the time she woke up at 0520 to prepare breakfast and onwards). Last night many of the trainees went back to shore after Arwen´s birthday dinner and took part in a kava ceremony, where a drink was served consisting of the kava root and various other mysterious ingredients that was described by all as muddy, dirty, woody, dish water. It seemed to have an interesting affect on the digestive systems of those who drank it. Today was a low activity day for all. We began heading down a course of around 160-170 degrees with jumbo, fore, trysail and engines, and with wind fine to port to dead ahead all day. This made for much fore-aft and athwartship rolling- including some moments with the bowsprit submerged - upsetting some tummies, and forcing many to pull out the stugeron tablets. During the pounding into the weather this morning, there was some entertainment in the bow. Kelsey decided she wanted to get soaked, providing an opportunity for Jose to take some good action photos. As well, Jordan, Tristan, and Caelan got soaked trying to fit the cap over the Naval Pipe, which feeds the chain from the locker below decks to the windlass above. Focusing was also a challenge below decks, in all areas of the boat; Gillian in the galley, and Skipper in the aft cabin trying to fix the weather fax which has been only partially working the past few days. For parts of the day the sun was intense, prompting Tavish to set up the small tarp amidships to provide some shade for those trying to sleep (Stugeron, the seasickness medication can make a person sleepy). We saw some amazing sea life besides the humpbacks, including dolphins and two large Pilot whales that surged towards us in the swell, and under the boat. Mid afternoon and into this evening the wind has died mostly, still dead ahead, and we are making 7 knots, still with sails set and sheeted tight, which are providing some stability. Our ETA for Vava´u, Tonga is around 1100 hrs tomorrow, and we will be spending a few days there before ending the leg in Fiji. We found out in the past two days that our port in Fiji will actually be Lautoka, only 20km from the Nadi airport.
Robyn would like to wish her brother Clayton a happy birthday this September 27th. Happy Birthday, Clayton!
It was nice to have an overly peaceful and restful day today, in preparation for the days to come in Tonga. Thanks for listening, and have a great evening. Sam
Re-energizing. This morning during the second sitting of breakfast (0800), we pulled up the anchor and began navigating the narrow channel that leads out of the lagoon surrounding the island of Niuatoputapu. The original plan was to try and meet up with some of the Humpback whales (which make this region the place they grow their calves), and possibly swim with them, as some of the crew and trainees did yesterday. However, when we spotted them 1nm off the reef, we decided that the whales were not up to seeing visitors, as they kept disappearing and reappearing a good distance away from us. Around the same time, in the hold, Gillian said that the lineup and usage of the head was the largest she has ever seen (from the time she woke up at 0520 to prepare breakfast and onwards). Last night many of the trainees went back to shore after Arwen´s birthday dinner and took part in a kava ceremony, where a drink was served consisting of the kava root and various other mysterious ingredients that was described by all as muddy, dirty, woody, dish water. It seemed to have an interesting affect on the digestive systems of those who drank it. Today was a low activity day for all. We began heading down a course of around 160-170 degrees with jumbo, fore, trysail and engines, and with wind fine to port to dead ahead all day. This made for much fore-aft and athwartship rolling- including some moments with the bowsprit submerged - upsetting some tummies, and forcing many to pull out the stugeron tablets. During the pounding into the weather this morning, there was some entertainment in the bow. Kelsey decided she wanted to get soaked, providing an opportunity for Jose to take some good action photos. As well, Jordan, Tristan, and Caelan got soaked trying to fit the cap over the Naval Pipe, which feeds the chain from the locker below decks to the windlass above. Focusing was also a challenge below decks, in all areas of the boat; Gillian in the galley, and Skipper in the aft cabin trying to fix the weather fax which has been only partially working the past few days. For parts of the day the sun was intense, prompting Tavish to set up the small tarp amidships to provide some shade for those trying to sleep (Stugeron, the seasickness medication can make a person sleepy). We saw some amazing sea life besides the humpbacks, including dolphins and two large Pilot whales that surged towards us in the swell, and under the boat. Mid afternoon and into this evening the wind has died mostly, still dead ahead, and we are making 7 knots, still with sails set and sheeted tight, which are providing some stability. Our ETA for Vava´u, Tonga is around 1100 hrs tomorrow, and we will be spending a few days there before ending the leg in Fiji. We found out in the past two days that our port in Fiji will actually be Lautoka, only 20km from the Nadi airport.
Robyn would like to wish her brother Clayton a happy birthday this September 27th. Happy Birthday, Clayton!
It was nice to have an overly peaceful and restful day today, in preparation for the days to come in Tonga. Thanks for listening, and have a great evening. Sam
Observations:
mostly sunny and very hot today, strong winds in the night and into the morning, tapering off towards mid-day
Readings:
| Pressure | |
| Wind | SE5-10 |
| Temp | |
| processed: 2007-09-27 02:20:05 |
