Mohsin our stalwart crew member
making shoots
incase you wondered how, and where
Email from the boat to shore:
From: OmanTri
To: update
Subject: Pea Soup
Date: 24/02/2009 05:52:05
not my best words today sorry – bit tired and it’s 5am….and just woken
up – definately starting to feel the length of the trip is effecting my
tiredness levels, usually abel to get enough sleep, but it does catch up
with you eventually… and it’s starting to now!
Pea Soup is ususally a term used to describe the thickness of fog ( very
thick ) but our pea soup today was during the hours ofter dusk and before
1am and was not fog, but ‘cloudy’ sea. The water was thick with nutrients,
that once again put on a teriffic light display for us. Fire exploding done
the outside of the hulls, and off the rudders, its especially impressive on
the windward rudder that occasionaly come clear of the water ( no fire )
then dips in and there is a flash of light again. During this time we got
two big fish snarled up on the main rudder, and both times we had to slow
the boat down to allow them to escape. It’s hard to kow just how big they
were, but it’s safe to say they were certainly bigger than 4′ long in order
to be bent in half and pinned on the rudder blade. Its no wonder there
were so many big fish out here – as an hour later there were large shoals
of fishes under the boat ‘ escaping’ from the daggerboard and main hull. We
couldn’t see the fish, just their trails in the luminesence of the water (
thanks pea soup) It was a great specticle, and about time we had some good
wild life sightings ( mot too close please) as I feel a bit disappointed we
haven’t been able to see more on this trip.
Bit of a funny 24 hours, everyone a bit quieter than usual, but quietly
getting on, and doing stuff, catching up with food, sleep.Though we acheived
a lot yesterday a VVIP call to the offie, and a video call in the
afternoon, by which time we had also dropped the genoa ( to fix some damage)
and a whole host of other tidying up type chores that needed to be sorted –
new roll of rubbish bags, cleaning in galley, checks iin back of boat.
The wind’s been light, and very shifty, so we are continuing to make our way
NE in order to be away from the worst of the storm, the beauty of a
multihull is we can use her speed to get into the best position possible.We
were asked earier “what preparations are you making for the storm” the
answer is probably not very much, we try to keep the boat ready for
anything, so most things are ready to be stored properly, or are already in
their correct location – ready for use.
Bed – having just got out of bed to be on deck a while, and to wrte this
update, it seems only fair to talk just a little bit about being in bed on
a boat. My berth ( bed ) is made from canvas made tight between an alloy
pole, and a wooden batten bolted to the boat’s side. When new it’s very
tight and it make good bunk, but now after nearly 50 days sleeping on it
it’s streched amd that has made a bit uncomfortable. I hvave brought with me
a 3/4 lenght carry made ( ThermaRest). this does two things – reflects body
head back to the body, and is around 1/2 ” thick, filling in the to a degree
the sagging bunk. Also that bunk has no adjustment, so i’t kind of ok on
stbd but on port ( port tack in a sea way worse) it’s hard to wedge
yourself in, without a few bags piled up between the generator and the bunk
to lean against. It is however quite a nice place to be – especially at 4am,
when although not cold outside, it’s not warm either – so it’s hard to
choose what to wear… then there is our sleeping bags.We have incredibe
sleeping bags – the are really soft, and warm, and very cosy, and hard to
get out of! The other day i was lying awake thinking how comfotable I was,
the thermarest acting as a matress, and the sleeping bag as comfortable as
any duvet you’re likely to come across – then you’ve gotta tear yourself
away from that to go and do some work – killer!!!!
I had better stop there, gotta go on deck and help the guys set up the
gennaker, a bit of fresh air will blow away any remainng desire to sleep a
bit more, and I can get one with other stuff afterwards!!!!
To: update
Subject: Pea Soup
Date: 24/02/2009 05:52:05
not my best words today sorry – bit tired and it’s 5am….and just woken
up – definately starting to feel the length of the trip is effecting my
tiredness levels, usually abel to get enough sleep, but it does catch up
with you eventually… and it’s starting to now!
Pea Soup is ususally a term used to describe the thickness of fog ( very
thick ) but our pea soup today was during the hours ofter dusk and before
1am and was not fog, but ‘cloudy’ sea. The water was thick with nutrients,
that once again put on a teriffic light display for us. Fire exploding done
the outside of the hulls, and off the rudders, its especially impressive on
the windward rudder that occasionaly come clear of the water ( no fire )
then dips in and there is a flash of light again. During this time we got
two big fish snarled up on the main rudder, and both times we had to slow
the boat down to allow them to escape. It’s hard to kow just how big they
were, but it’s safe to say they were certainly bigger than 4′ long in order
to be bent in half and pinned on the rudder blade. Its no wonder there
were so many big fish out here – as an hour later there were large shoals
of fishes under the boat ‘ escaping’ from the daggerboard and main hull. We
couldn’t see the fish, just their trails in the luminesence of the water (
thanks pea soup) It was a great specticle, and about time we had some good
wild life sightings ( mot too close please) as I feel a bit disappointed we
haven’t been able to see more on this trip.
Bit of a funny 24 hours, everyone a bit quieter than usual, but quietly
getting on, and doing stuff, catching up with food, sleep.Though we acheived
a lot yesterday a VVIP call to the offie, and a video call in the
afternoon, by which time we had also dropped the genoa ( to fix some damage)
and a whole host of other tidying up type chores that needed to be sorted –
new roll of rubbish bags, cleaning in galley, checks iin back of boat.
The wind’s been light, and very shifty, so we are continuing to make our way
NE in order to be away from the worst of the storm, the beauty of a
multihull is we can use her speed to get into the best position possible.We
were asked earier “what preparations are you making for the storm” the
answer is probably not very much, we try to keep the boat ready for
anything, so most things are ready to be stored properly, or are already in
their correct location – ready for use.
Bed – having just got out of bed to be on deck a while, and to wrte this
update, it seems only fair to talk just a little bit about being in bed on
a boat. My berth ( bed ) is made from canvas made tight between an alloy
pole, and a wooden batten bolted to the boat’s side. When new it’s very
tight and it make good bunk, but now after nearly 50 days sleeping on it
it’s streched amd that has made a bit uncomfortable. I hvave brought with me
a 3/4 lenght carry made ( ThermaRest). this does two things – reflects body
head back to the body, and is around 1/2 ” thick, filling in the to a degree
the sagging bunk. Also that bunk has no adjustment, so i’t kind of ok on
stbd but on port ( port tack in a sea way worse) it’s hard to wedge
yourself in, without a few bags piled up between the generator and the bunk
to lean against. It is however quite a nice place to be – especially at 4am,
when although not cold outside, it’s not warm either – so it’s hard to
choose what to wear… then there is our sleeping bags.We have incredibe
sleeping bags – the are really soft, and warm, and very cosy, and hard to
get out of! The other day i was lying awake thinking how comfotable I was,
the thermarest acting as a matress, and the sleeping bag as comfortable as
any duvet you’re likely to come across – then you’ve gotta tear yourself
away from that to go and do some work – killer!!!!
I had better stop there, gotta go on deck and help the guys set up the
gennaker, a bit of fresh air will blow away any remainng desire to sleep a
bit more, and I can get one with other stuff afterwards!!!!
Weather Router’s advice:
From: Commanders’ Weather
To: Musandam
Subject: weather 14 utc Tue 2-24
Date: 24/02/2009 14:01:46
To: Charles Darbyshire and the crew of
ìMusandamî
From: Commanders Weather Corp
Event: sail around the world
Last Position: 41 01s/14 12w at 1200utc Tue Feb 24
Prepared: 1330utc Tue, Feb 24, 2009
SummaryÖConditions deteriorating next 24-48 hours.
1) The big gale continues to track ESE and will catch you next 24-48 hours.
2) Expect positions of this low
a) nr 42 30s/ 23 30ww by 00 utc Wed
b) nr 44s/ 11w 12 utc Wed
c) nr 48s/ 9e 12 utc Thu and continuing ESE
3) Northerly winds for you will increase to 25-35 kts by 12 utc Wed with
winds lighter to the E
and stronger to the W.
4) The peak of the wind should be just ahead of the cold front which will
be around 00 utc Thu
with winds over 40 kts possible in squalls.
5) Winds will be stronger to the S and lighter to the N so then so getting
up near 40 is better than being
down near 42.
6) After frontal passage between 6-12 utc Thu winds shift to WSW ñ you are
now on starboard and ok
to be heading ESE at this time.
7) Winds will be diminishing steadily after the frontal passage to 18-25 kts
by 18 utc Thursday and to
15-20 kts by 12 utc Friday.
a) Direction by 12 utc Friday and you are heading
more eastward.
8) High pressure will be following the front to be near 40s/4w by 12 utc
Friday and to 42s/ 15e by 12 utc
Sat. and to 44s/ 31e.
9) Will not be able to stay south of this high and in a following wind and
want to avoid getting into the
center of it as well.
10) So this means north of the high which will result in your SW wind
backing to S then SE ñE on Sat.
11) Expect as the high shifts east of your longitude your winds will
continue to back to NE.
12) This makes it a headwind about the time you are turning the corner SE of
South Africa and also the
time you will be near the Agulhas Current.
13) Will be fine tuning this as we get closer.
RoutingÖYou can continue with some northing next 24 hours to minimize winds
and seas next 24-48
Hrs. Winds and seas a little better to the N near 40s and
south toward 42s
Once you get the frontal passage and the wind shift to the
WSW go onto starboard and ok
to head ESE.
Expect as high approaches from the W and winds back thru SE
you will get forced NE Sat.
We will see as we get closer to best way to negotiate
currents and eddys SE of Cape Town
Wind directions are TRUE, wind speed in kts, and time is UTC
Tue, Feb 24
18: 360-020/10-15
WeatherÖVariable cloudiness
Seas 4-7 ft
Wed, Feb 25- winds stronger to the W
00: 360-025/17-22
06: 350-010/22-30
12: 350-010/25-35 nr 40 30s/06w ñ
conditions a little better further n- worse to the S next 24 hours
18: 320-340/30-40
WeatherÖPartly cloudy to cloudy with squally showers developing
Seas increasing to 9-13ft
Thu, Feb 26 ñ winds stronger the S
00: 300-320/30-40+
06: 270-290/25-35
Frontal passage
12: 240-260/22-30, nr 42 20s/02e
18: 240-260/18-25
WeatherÖSqually showers tapering off and ending after wind shift to WSW then
considerable cloudiness
Seas 12-16 ft
Fri, Feb 27
00: 240-260/18-25
06: 230-250/18-25
12: 210-230/15-20, nr 42 30s/11e
18: 190-210/12-17
Weather…Cloudy to partly cloudy
Seas 10-14 ft WSW swell
Sat, Feb 28
00: 180-200/10-15
06: 170-190/ 9-13
12: 140-160/ 9-13, nr 41 20s/18e
18: 080-100/ 9-13
WeatherÖPartly cloudy
SeasÖ12-16 ft WSW swell
Sun, Mar 1
00: 070-090/ 15-20
12: 040-060/ 18-25 nr 41s/ 23 30e
WeatherÖPartly cloudy to cloudy
Seas 10-15 ft WSW swell
Best regards, Tom Mattus
—
PLEASE NOTE: AS OF JANUARY 1, 2008, OUR NEW EMAIL ADDRESS IS :
info@commandersweather.com
Commanders Weather Corp.
Tel: 603-882-6789
To: Musandam
Subject: weather 14 utc Tue 2-24
Date: 24/02/2009 14:01:46
To: Charles Darbyshire and the crew of
ìMusandamî
From: Commanders Weather Corp
Event: sail around the world
Last Position: 41 01s/14 12w at 1200utc Tue Feb 24
Prepared: 1330utc Tue, Feb 24, 2009
SummaryÖConditions deteriorating next 24-48 hours.
1) The big gale continues to track ESE and will catch you next 24-48 hours.
2) Expect positions of this low
a) nr 42 30s/ 23 30ww by 00 utc Wed
b) nr 44s/ 11w 12 utc Wed
c) nr 48s/ 9e 12 utc Thu and continuing ESE
3) Northerly winds for you will increase to 25-35 kts by 12 utc Wed with
winds lighter to the E
and stronger to the W.
4) The peak of the wind should be just ahead of the cold front which will
be around 00 utc Thu
with winds over 40 kts possible in squalls.
5) Winds will be stronger to the S and lighter to the N so then so getting
up near 40 is better than being
down near 42.
6) After frontal passage between 6-12 utc Thu winds shift to WSW ñ you are
now on starboard and ok
to be heading ESE at this time.
7) Winds will be diminishing steadily after the frontal passage to 18-25 kts
by 18 utc Thursday and to
15-20 kts by 12 utc Friday.
a) Direction by 12 utc Friday and you are heading
more eastward.
8) High pressure will be following the front to be near 40s/4w by 12 utc
Friday and to 42s/ 15e by 12 utc
Sat. and to 44s/ 31e.
9) Will not be able to stay south of this high and in a following wind and
want to avoid getting into the
center of it as well.
10) So this means north of the high which will result in your SW wind
backing to S then SE ñE on Sat.
11) Expect as the high shifts east of your longitude your winds will
continue to back to NE.
12) This makes it a headwind about the time you are turning the corner SE of
South Africa and also the
time you will be near the Agulhas Current.
13) Will be fine tuning this as we get closer.
RoutingÖYou can continue with some northing next 24 hours to minimize winds
and seas next 24-48
Hrs. Winds and seas a little better to the N near 40s and
south toward 42s
Once you get the frontal passage and the wind shift to the
WSW go onto starboard and ok
to head ESE.
Expect as high approaches from the W and winds back thru SE
you will get forced NE Sat.
We will see as we get closer to best way to negotiate
currents and eddys SE of Cape Town
Wind directions are TRUE, wind speed in kts, and time is UTC
Tue, Feb 24
18: 360-020/10-15
WeatherÖVariable cloudiness
Seas 4-7 ft
Wed, Feb 25- winds stronger to the W
00: 360-025/17-22
06: 350-010/22-30
12: 350-010/25-35 nr 40 30s/06w ñ
conditions a little better further n- worse to the S next 24 hours
18: 320-340/30-40
WeatherÖPartly cloudy to cloudy with squally showers developing
Seas increasing to 9-13ft
Thu, Feb 26 ñ winds stronger the S
00: 300-320/30-40+
06: 270-290/25-35
Frontal passage
12: 240-260/22-30, nr 42 20s/02e
18: 240-260/18-25
WeatherÖSqually showers tapering off and ending after wind shift to WSW then
considerable cloudiness
Seas 12-16 ft
Fri, Feb 27
00: 240-260/18-25
06: 230-250/18-25
12: 210-230/15-20, nr 42 30s/11e
18: 190-210/12-17
Weather…Cloudy to partly cloudy
Seas 10-14 ft WSW swell
Sat, Feb 28
00: 180-200/10-15
06: 170-190/ 9-13
12: 140-160/ 9-13, nr 41 20s/18e
18: 080-100/ 9-13
WeatherÖPartly cloudy
SeasÖ12-16 ft WSW swell
Sun, Mar 1
00: 070-090/ 15-20
12: 040-060/ 18-25 nr 41s/ 23 30e
WeatherÖPartly cloudy to cloudy
Seas 10-15 ft WSW swell
Best regards, Tom Mattus
—
PLEASE NOTE: AS OF JANUARY 1, 2008, OUR NEW EMAIL ADDRESS IS :
info@commandersweather.com
Commanders Weather Corp.
Tel: 603-882-6789
A selection of pictures from today: