Nearing Bermuda

It is 1216 on May 15, 2009.  Our position is 31 34.444N  064 30.918W.  We are 48 miles south of Bermuda.  Wind is northeast at 20 knots.  Seas are 6'.  It is sunny, with a few clouds.  The barometric pressure has soared to 1025.  Sea temperature has dropped to 71 degrees.  Sleeping at night now requires a sleeping bag. We are wearing heavier clothing during the days and wear foul weather gear on deck.  The canvas and instruments on the boat are encrusted with salt from the spraying sea.

 

Yesterday we refueled at sea and put in 22 gallons of diesel.  Because we have been running the engine so much to recharge the batteries, and now to combat the NE wind, our consumption rose to 3/4 gallon per hour. It is a difficult task to aim the spouts and then lift the 45 pound jetty jugs over the little diesel intake hole without spilling it in a rolling sea.  The other concern is to prevent the breaking waves from also entering the fuel tank and contaminating it all.  The cabin still smells like diesel from all of the fuel we got on our foul weather gear.

 

Shortly after the refueling adventure, we were surrounded by dolphins - most likely bottle nose dolphins.  For a good twenty minutes jumped and raced beside the boat.  There were a lot of smaller fish jumping nearby, so we assume that they were feeding.  Occasionally, a dolphin would leap into the air and travel ten feet before splashing back into the ocean.  They are powerful mammals.  We have also seen Portuguese Man-O-Wars floating nearby.  From a distance, they almost look like plastic but as you near them, you can see the calzone like crest and see the translucent blue and pink tinges.

 

Our destination in Bermuda is Captain Smokes Marina in St. George's Harbor.  The docking situation there is bow in with a plank leading to the boat from shore.  We will have access to shore electricity, a head, showers and water.  The affiliated marine store has promised to have new batteries waiting.  Bernie has promised us the best spot - although we do not think that any spot in the marina is particularly easy given the plank.  We are eager to get there, because all of the bunks are wet, as are the sleeping bags, and we want a chance to dry everything out before we set off on the most difficult leg of the journey across the Gulf Stream.  Certain crew members are also convinced that we are out of food, even though we easily have five days worth of provisions on board.

 

Ann will be leaving us for Seattle.  Kel will be joining us from San Francisco.  We hope to push off on Sunday, although that decision will be based on the weather.  It is unlikely that the blog will be updated until we are back at sea.

 

Team Welcome