Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Bermuda to Norfolk; June 6-13, 2011

CELESTIAL, our IP 440 will depart St Georges Harbor, Bermuda tonight June 7, 2011 at approximately midnight after two preparation days. The crew members are: Captain Bruce Kachline (Louisiana), First Mate Billy Psimas (Virginia), and student crew members Thomas Martinez (Washington), Jason Delisky (New Jersey), Richard Dixon (Connecticut) and Vincent Ferrer (Virginia). CELESTIAL will make the passage to Norfolk, Virginia via a non-stop ocean route. The cruise has an estimated distance of 650 miles, and will take approximately 6 days, sailing both day and night. We will discuss the route, weather and actual progress here on our blog as it happens, so please join us! To follow their actual progress on Google Earth, click HERE. The crew is pictured here (except for Captain Bruce behind the camera) from left to right: Vince, Richard, Tom, Billy and Jason.)

18 comments:

Rita Hanson said...

Captain Tom Tursi sent the following communication to the crew of CELESTIAL via Skymate today, June 7, 2011 at 9:10 PM:

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Tursi
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 9:10 PM
Subject: Wx 6/7

"High Pressure system between BDA & Norf. Expect light variable winds next few days. Unstable area S of Cuba. BDA Weather forecast possible Thunderstorms Gulf of Mexico. Sail well."

Ms. Martinez said...

someone tell my dad to call home once in a while, eh? his daughters miss him! looks like you guys are off for a great trip though! bon voyage!

- maile martinez, daughter of tommy martinez

Rita Hanson said...

----- Original Message -----
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: MD School of Sailing, Capt Tom Tursi
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 4:18 PM
Subject: Hello again. Especially, Ms. B's Class.

"Winds up to 18kts on the nose, beating to weather
Boat speeds sailing 7+ kts, VMG 3.5 5kts
Winds dropping now
Fine sailing day
All well aboard

Billy, Mate
Captain Bruce
Crew of Celestial; Jason, Tom, Rich Vince"

Rita Hanson said...

Welcome Maile!! Also, welcome Ms. B's class!! Please post on the blog. We would love to hear from you.

Rita Hanson said...

----- Original Message -----
From: Captain Tom Tursi
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 8:49 AM
Subject: Wx 6/9

"HP persists. Weak CF Sun-Mon. Weak Low Sun 30N75W track NE; dissipate. Expect winds 15 or less to back from S to NE next few days then W-NW Sun. No TS"

------------
Note: Since transmissions with our boat at sea are very expensive (we're charged by the character!) we use lots of abbreviations. Here are the meaning of some of the abbreviations. We'll see them repeatedly over the next few days:

Wx = Sailors shorthand for "weather"
HP = High Pressure System
CF = Cold Front
Low = Low pressure system
TS = Tropical Storm Activity

So, this weather transmission translate to approximately:

"A high pressure system persists for your area. A weak cold front is expected Sunday into Monday. A weak low pressure system is forecast for Sunday at the position of 30N Latitude 75W Longitude and will track to northeast then dissipate. Expect winds 15 knots or less from the South then backing to the northeast over the next few days, then West-Northwest winds on Sun. No tropical storm activity."

Rita Hanson said...

----- Original Message -----
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: Captain Tom Tursi
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 6:07 AM
Subject: Thu 06 jun 2011

"All OK
Saw man o' war, birds, spptd dlphns.
wind on nose; moto sailin
fuel 7/8 h20 0.8
Sea temp up 75.9
Dinty Moore Beef stu.
bcn & eggs 4 brkfst
Vince had 4mi sun shot.
BK"

--------------

Translation:

"All is okay aboard Sailing Vessel (S/V) CELESTIAL. The crew saw man o'war (jelly fish-like creatures), birds, and spotted dolphins. They are motor sailing into the wind in order to make progress toward their destination. They have 7/8 of their fuel left and 80% of their fresh water supply. The sea water temp is up to 75.9 degrees. They had Dinty Moore Beef stew for supper last night and bacon & eggs for breakfast. Student Vince Ferrer has been practicing celestial navigation and got a 4 mile sun shot.

Captain Bruce Kachline"

emily said...

Sorry to hear about the light wind-I've been following the blog-enjoy yourself!

Rita Hanson said...

---- Original Message -----
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: Captain Tom Tursi
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 7:27 AM
Subject: Fri 10 Jun 11

"All OK
Clearing skies wind on nose.
Billy's Cajun meat loaf
Jason shot quadrature
saw longtail & birds
flying fish on deck
06/10/2011
14:08:37 GMT
34° 16.89' N
67° 18.79' W
BK"

Rita Hanson said...

From: Tom Tursi
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 8:49 PM
Subject: Wx 6/10

"Low 30N75W on Sun tracking NE Mon. Expect winds 15 or less SE on Sat, SW Sun. No Tropical Storms."

Rita Hanson said...

----- Original Message -----
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: Captain Tom Tursi
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2011 7:11 AM
Subject: 11 Jun 2011

"All OK
1/2 way
cargo ship 2mi CPA; longtail, birds & dolphin
fuel 1/2+
pressure cooked pasta & chicken
light wind motor sailing
BK"

Rita Hanson said...

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Tursi
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2011 8:44 PM
Subject: Wx 6/11

"Low BHM today; 29N76W Sun; 40N60W Mon. Weak CF pass Sun-Mon. Expect Sunday E-SE10-15 E of CF; W-NW10 W of CF; Mon W-SW5-10; Tue Variable 10 or less; Wed E-SE10-15. No TS"

Rita Hanson said...

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Tursi
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2011 8:24 AM
Subject: Wx 6/12

"BHM Low move NE Sun-Mon astern your position drag weak CF. Expect Sun S-SE10-15; Mon variable<10; Mon night N-NW10-15; Tue-Wed variable<10. No TS"

emily said...

Still using the iron sails?' - when do you expect to make landfall? Is Tommy cooking? He can and is very good at it, when he wants to be.....emily

Rita Hanson said...

----- Original Message -----
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: Tom Tursi
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 7:34 AM
Subject: 13 Jun 11


"All OK
main sheet block parted; replaced
saw submarine
Bodie
06/13/2011
14:09:54 GMT
35° 46.07' N
75° 08.65' W
BK"

Rita Hanson said...

CELESTIAL and crew arrived in fine shape this morning, June 14, 2011, at 0900. Congratulations to the crew!

Mick said...

thanks for posting this up, Im a big fan of your blog, keep posting!

Rita Hanson said...

Mick,

Thanks for your comment! If you have not yet found our Cruise Reports, you will find them here: http://www.mdschool.com/ocean_index.htm

These are actual reports submitted by each captain at the conclusion of the training cruise.

Mark said...

Rita thanks for sharing that link, comes in handy