As you have probably heard it all came to an end this morning. Pete and Adam were in the cockpit and Agustin had just gone to bed when the mast came crashing down and punctured a hole in the hull. Pete phoned me to tell me they were taking on water, and was going send a distress message via Falmouth coastguard. He spoke to Falmouth giving all the necessary information, who then in turn alerted the ARC control. They issued a message to all boats in the vicinity and Falmouth also alerted any vessels within a 300 mile radius. Pete then phoned again at 12.30 to say they were safely onboard an ARC yacht Navillus, a 50 foot Irish yacht. It was an amazingly quick pick up considering they were approximately 750 miles from land, and a fortunate one. The water was approaching the gunwales on one hull when they were rescued. They are all safe and well, if a little shaken. They managed to save alot of their stuff, and Pete said Agustin had all his things ok. They are now heading for St Lucia for the finish of the ARC. I havent heard any more but the progress of the Navillus can be followed at www.worldcruising.com/arc . You can check its position by following the fleet viewer link.
If I hear anymore regarding their expected arrival in St Lucia I will post this up for you. I think they should be there within 7 days. I am so sorry for not posting this earlier for Agustins friends but should I get any more news I will post again.
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Friday, 7 December 2007
Highs and Lows
Latest Position 16 57N 46 33W
They did manage to catch some wind after all yesterday and travelled 170 miles in 24 hours. Adam got the fastest speed which clocked at 12 knots. The bad news is that things are breaking. They have broken the spinnaker pole which whilst not disastrous is a major inconvenience as they were using it alot. Then literally 5 minutes before they called the steering broke which is a major problem. They have rigged up a temporary tiller rig which is capable of steering the boat properly but is going to make it hard work for them as it won't be able to be left for a minute, and will be quite physically demanding as well. Obviously a major downer, and without being able to get out of the boat and inspect things Pete is unsure exactly how much of the steering rig has broken and what parts he will need. This then leads to the question, will he be able to get parts in the Caribbean. I have started researching on the net, but without alot more information its a needle in a haystack job. On the upside its only 750 miles to go but at the moment they are struggling to look at that as a positive!
They did manage to catch some wind after all yesterday and travelled 170 miles in 24 hours. Adam got the fastest speed which clocked at 12 knots. The bad news is that things are breaking. They have broken the spinnaker pole which whilst not disastrous is a major inconvenience as they were using it alot. Then literally 5 minutes before they called the steering broke which is a major problem. They have rigged up a temporary tiller rig which is capable of steering the boat properly but is going to make it hard work for them as it won't be able to be left for a minute, and will be quite physically demanding as well. Obviously a major downer, and without being able to get out of the boat and inspect things Pete is unsure exactly how much of the steering rig has broken and what parts he will need. This then leads to the question, will he be able to get parts in the Caribbean. I have started researching on the net, but without alot more information its a needle in a haystack job. On the upside its only 750 miles to go but at the moment they are struggling to look at that as a positive!
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Slow Couple of Days
Latest position 18 08 N 41 52 W
They have had a slow couple of days dropping below the 100 miles day mark for the first time in the trip. Today was better and have got steady 3s again at the moment. Unfortunately the 5s and 6s forecast earlier in the week are now not going to materialise which is a shame, but they can expect some 4s so that should give them a boost along. Adam and Pete have been watching Norman Wisdom DVDs this afternoon so they were in much higher spirits when they phoned tonight, as they both had a good chuckle at those. They have been changing their clock times as they have been moving west, they are now 2 hours behind us, and once they get to 45 degrees they will move to 3 hours behind. How they work the time changes into the watch keeping system god only knows! Next update on Friday when it will only be a week until Madz and I leave Scilly!
They have had a slow couple of days dropping below the 100 miles day mark for the first time in the trip. Today was better and have got steady 3s again at the moment. Unfortunately the 5s and 6s forecast earlier in the week are now not going to materialise which is a shame, but they can expect some 4s so that should give them a boost along. Adam and Pete have been watching Norman Wisdom DVDs this afternoon so they were in much higher spirits when they phoned tonight, as they both had a good chuckle at those. They have been changing their clock times as they have been moving west, they are now 2 hours behind us, and once they get to 45 degrees they will move to 3 hours behind. How they work the time changes into the watch keeping system god only knows! Next update on Friday when it will only be a week until Madz and I leave Scilly!
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Over Half Way
19 2 N 38 29 W
They crossed the half way mark at midnight Sunday/Monday so downhill all the way now! They have slowed down yesterday and today with light winds but the forecast is for 5s and 6s coming through by thursday so Pete is hoping to catch up some ground then - providing they don't break anything. The high light of the day yesterday was that Pete baked some bread. Adam was reluctant to have any tho coz it was wholemeal! Some things just don't change do they. They are suffering with tiredness now as you would expect, with the broken sleep patterns but are otherwise fine. Just counting down to getting there, and getting their hands on some rum punch.
They crossed the half way mark at midnight Sunday/Monday so downhill all the way now! They have slowed down yesterday and today with light winds but the forecast is for 5s and 6s coming through by thursday so Pete is hoping to catch up some ground then - providing they don't break anything. The high light of the day yesterday was that Pete baked some bread. Adam was reluctant to have any tho coz it was wholemeal! Some things just don't change do they. They are suffering with tiredness now as you would expect, with the broken sleep patterns but are otherwise fine. Just counting down to getting there, and getting their hands on some rum punch.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Agustin Says Hi To ......
Dani, Lucia, Maggan, Lisa, Quo, Line, Pocholo and familia, and "La Communa"
Latest Position 21 45 N 027 28W
All going well, still good steady average pace, with no major traumas. They are catching loads of fish - mostly on Adams watch still so he is winning the bet quite easily at the moment. The weather forecast is for steady 3s and 4s for the next 7 days with nothing stronger but no lulls either so they expect more of the same. They have seen some other boats and Petes had a chat on the radio so they don't feel quite so alone. I think the monotony and homesickness has set in a bit at the moment, which is to be expected, but they are generally fine and going well.
Latest Position 21 45 N 027 28W
All going well, still good steady average pace, with no major traumas. They are catching loads of fish - mostly on Adams watch still so he is winning the bet quite easily at the moment. The weather forecast is for steady 3s and 4s for the next 7 days with nothing stronger but no lulls either so they expect more of the same. They have seen some other boats and Petes had a chat on the radio so they don't feel quite so alone. I think the monotony and homesickness has set in a bit at the moment, which is to be expected, but they are generally fine and going well.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Discovered - The True Meaning of Life
They have obviously been having some very in depth and meaningful philosophical discussions onboard. After hours spent pondering the meaning of life they have decided that the answer to any question is ..................CHOCOLATE. Now only 3 men could have taken hours to reach that conclusion - all us women knew that from birth!
Anyway latest position as at midday today 22 30N 023 00 W. Averaging 5 knots and making steady progress. Pete would like a couple of days pushing along at 7 knots to really break the back of it so hopefully they will get some stronger winds at some stage. Early days yet. They crossed the tropic of cancer at 2.30pm yesterday so they are now officially in the tropics. The first fish of the trip was caught by Adam yesterday and that is their dinner tonight. They are settling into the monotony and routine of the days, getting organised into getting things done. Adam would appear to be doing no different to what he does at home during his time off, playing on his psp and watching dvds! At least he is not suffering from any seasickness which was a concern and Pete said he was pulling his weight, doing his watches well, and generally coping. Glad someone is!
Next update on Wednesday
Anyway latest position as at midday today 22 30N 023 00 W. Averaging 5 knots and making steady progress. Pete would like a couple of days pushing along at 7 knots to really break the back of it so hopefully they will get some stronger winds at some stage. Early days yet. They crossed the tropic of cancer at 2.30pm yesterday so they are now officially in the tropics. The first fish of the trip was caught by Adam yesterday and that is their dinner tonight. They are settling into the monotony and routine of the days, getting organised into getting things done. Adam would appear to be doing no different to what he does at home during his time off, playing on his psp and watching dvds! At least he is not suffering from any seasickness which was a concern and Pete said he was pulling his weight, doing his watches well, and generally coping. Glad someone is!
Next update on Wednesday
Friday, 23 November 2007
First Position
25 48 N 017 33 W
They had an uncomfortable start with the seas being a bit sloppy and the wind being the wrong direction at times, but it has moved around for them and they are now doing between 3.5 and 5.5 knots. The good news is that Adam hasn't been seasick which looks promising for the passage! All going well just hoping for some favourable winds. Now I have their position I have to check the weather and warn them of any major changes. Unfortunately the news of the England result brought Adam down a bit, but with a big bowl of stew waiting Pete didn't think it would last long. Next update on Monday.
They had an uncomfortable start with the seas being a bit sloppy and the wind being the wrong direction at times, but it has moved around for them and they are now doing between 3.5 and 5.5 knots. The good news is that Adam hasn't been seasick which looks promising for the passage! All going well just hoping for some favourable winds. Now I have their position I have to check the weather and warn them of any major changes. Unfortunately the news of the England result brought Adam down a bit, but with a big bowl of stew waiting Pete didn't think it would last long. Next update on Monday.
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