Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Florida to Bermuda Training Cruise, May 26-June 4, 2015

S/V MONTAUK LIGHT, A Skye 51 will depart West Palm Florida on Thursday May 28, 2015 after two preparation days. The crew members are: Captain Jerry Nigro of New York (Skipper), Captain Tom Tursi of Pennsylvania  (Instructor), and student crew members Scott Murphy (Texas), Jared Smith (New Jersey), Rocky Vinciguerra (New Jersey) and Mick Meckler (Pennsylvania). MONTAUK LIGHT will make the passage to Bermuda via a non-stop ocean route. The cruise has an estimated distance of 800 nautical miles, and will take approximately 8 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 the discussion, see the comments to this blog post. To follow their actual progress on Google Earth, click HERE.

26 comments:

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: Status 5-26
Date: May 26, 2015 9:47:00 PM EDT
To: Brad Mabe, Rita Hanson

Rita & Brad... All is well and boat work completed. Good training day today with hard working crew. Very hot here as to be expected. Departure on track for Thursday.

Tom

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to Bermuda 5/27 - 29
Date: May 27, 2015 6:56:48 AM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light

Wednesday - Wind E 10 - 15 Gusts to 20. Thursday a bit more breezy and variable - mostly from the E. A shift to the ENE is likely late day into Friday.
Today will be warm - high in the upper 80s which continues through Friday. Slight chance of t-storms possible mid to late day Friday.

Bradley

Rita Hanson said...

I know there is not much to read yet, so for those following along, you may be interested in this cruise report that Captain Tursi wrote in 2010 which discusses in depth the training of the first two days that our fine sailors have just completed: http://www.mdschool.com/Reports-2010/Bermuda/06-17-10.htm

Anonymous said...

For those of us who can't be aboard, check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5jUmkHiI2E. I think 8 days is pretty generous! Steve Atkinson (Classes '01,'03)

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to TXKF 5/28 - 29
Date: May 28, 2015 4:06:32 PM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light

5/28 - Wind E to ENE 10 - 15 off shore 20 - 23 near shore
5/29 - Wind E to ENE 15 to 20 off shore
5/30 - Wind E 10 to 15
W wall of Gulf Stream approx 8 miles E of Jupiter Inlet
Chance of t-storms mainly afternoon & evening

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: Re: Status Thursday 05/28/15
Date: May 28, 2015 7:50:00 PM EDT
To: MD School


Great trip so far. As predicted, winds are from E to NEE. Winds have been between 10-15. Got an early start out of the slip successfully backing down against cross wind and headed to fuel dock. Successful completion of fueling activities and headed out to sea.

Officially started trip around 8:35 with 8902 miles on the log. We have been sailing a strong starboard tack since raising the sails. Started out very choppy and challenging with 3-4 foot quick seas but now has settled down to gentle 3 foot seas.

Crew acclimating nicely. Sandwiches for most for lunch and a great pasta fasoule for dinner. Temperature cooling off to begin evening sail.

Mick

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: Status 5-29
Date: May 29, 2015 8:57:00 AM EDT
To: MD School

Bright, clear morning. Winds 12-15E. Yesterday and last night we sailed on starboard tack on a northerly course straight up the Gulf Stream in order to clear the Bahama Bank to our NE. At 0620 this morning we tacked to port and are now on a course of 125M somewhat toward Bermuda. 0850 position 2921N 7955W. Sailing great with boat speeds of about 6 knots through water. We're still getting some directional lift from the GS but it slows our speed over ground by a knot. All is well.

Tom

Rita Hanson said...

Crew picture added to main post!

Anonymous said...

love to read these reports.

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to TXKF 5/30 - 6/01
Date: May 29, 2015 5:39:03 PM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light

5/29 - Winds E 10 - 15
5/30 - Winds E 10 - 15 with gradual shift ESE 5 - 10 as the day progresses W of 75W - Winds still ENE to E - East of 75W
5/31 - Winds E to ESE 5 - 10 some variability in wind speed and direction expected
6/01 - expect wind to shift SE to S at 5 to 10

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: Status 5-30
Date: May 30, 2015 5:01:00 AM EDT
To: MD School

Yesterday bright clear winds 15-18E to NE. Sailed on port tack at 5 to 6 knots in beautiful sea conditions with waves 3 to 4 feet. Dinner hot dogs and beans. Took some celestial shots but difficult with sea conditions and boat motion. At 0300 today Saturday tacked to starboard on wind shift to 12 SE; heading 060M toward destination Bermuda. Current position 2832-7810 at 0500 Sat. All is well.

Tom

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to TXKF 5/31 - 6/02
Date: May 30, 2015 5:41:45 PM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light



5/31 - Wind Generally ESE to SE at 7 to 12 some variability in wind speed and direction expected
6/01 - Winds light and variable generally from the SE at 5 to 10 - winds will veer S as the day progresses
6/02 - Winds SE to S at 5 to 10
Chance of showers & t-storms thru the period.

Rita Hanson said...

From: Montauk Light
Subject: Correction
Date: May 31, 2015 6:46:00 AM EDT
To: MD School

Winds this morning shifted back to NE, and that's where they remain as of 1330 on 5/30.

T

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: Re: NE winds 5/31 (forecast discussion)
Date: May 31, 2015 7:37:38 AM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light

There's a small surface low around 28N 71W that will not go away. I was thinking it would dissipate by now, but it's not. Winds will be ENE to E at 5 to 10 today (5/31). I do see the winds turning to the S, as soon as this weak surface low dissipates.

Bradley


Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to TXKF 6/01 - 03
Date: May 31, 2015 6:46:47 PM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light

The weak surface low from today's earlier message is still around. It's current center is approx. 29.5N 76W. Based on the boat's spot position, winds should be light 5 to 10 and variable ranging ENE to SE tonight and through morning on Monday (6/01).

Winds will shift to SE Monday evening at 5 to 10 kts. Winds continue to veer S Monday night. Tuesday (6/02) Winds S to SSW at 5 to 10. Wednesday (6/03) winds S to SE at 5 to 10.

Bradley

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: Status 6-1
Date: June 1, 2015 5:12:00 AM EDT
To: MD School

As you know, our progress has been slow due to east winds mostly below 10 knots and often below 5. Yesterday the mailsail halyard broke with a loud pop and the sail came tumbling down. We rigged a spare halyard using the topping lift and put the sail back up. That's working ok. Position at 0430 on 6-1 is 3100-7523 motorsailing at 4 to 5 knots over ground on a heading toward BDA. Dinner last evening was pasta and meatballs made by Rocky ashore before departure at his brother's house... A definite highlight to our day, and he has an additional dinner of the same in the freezer. All is well and everyone is healthy. Rocky, Mick and Jared have been practicing celestial shots and becoming proficient with the technique. Yesterday we got a good celestial fix of our position... All for now. Thanks Brad of Wx updates.

Tom

Unknown said...

When do you think you will arrive in Bermuda? and at what port in Bermuda? we are set to arrive Wednesday at 1-ish!

Anonymous said...

I love you Rocky. Ann Speed up!!!!

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to TXKF 6/02 - 04
Date: June 1, 2015 7:48:00 PM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light
The surface low is still with us. Center of circulation is now W of your position according to your position on the spot.
6/02 - Wind variable E to SE 5 to 10 early then SE to S 5 to 10
6/03 - Wind S 5 to 10
6/04 - Wind backing to SE - 5 to 10

Bradley

Rita Hanson said...

Just a quick note on the google map... please do not be concerned if you see a gap in the points plotted. I am loading these manually. I check the location several times a day and enter the points, but if I am away from my computer for a span of time, there might be a gap. :-)

Rita

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to TXKF 06/03 - 05
Date: June 2, 2015 6:15:51 PM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light

6/03 - Wind SE 7 - 10
6/04 - a cold front approaches bringing a greater chance of rain as the day progresses and into 6/05
Winds 6/04 - SE 5 to 10 early, increasing 10 to 15 in the afternoon
Winds 6/05 - SE 15 to 20 showers and t-storms from the W

Bradley

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: Status 6-2
Date: June 2, 2015 8:36:00 PM EDT
To: MD School

Full moon. 414 nm to BDA. 0830 position 3121-7233. Winds SE6-8. Making 4 to 5 knots under sail. Yesterday morning winds were NE5-7 shifting to NNW 5-8 at noon and remaining so until 2200 when winds backed around to SE5-7. At 0700 today went through some light squall activity and winds then freshened to SE10 and we had a delightful sail until 0800 when winds again lightened to SE5-6. So you can see that we're challenged with very light winds and slow sailing. Currently maintaining 4 knots on course of 095M toward Bermuda, but will need to start engine to continue progress. Actually, we've been motor sailing for the past 24 hours except for this morning's brief sail... Brad, thanks for Wx report... All is well and crew eating like a bunch of teenage boys.

Tom

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: SAILING
Date: June 2, 2015 8:36:00 PM EDT
To: MD School

31-29N, 71-39W, 1646 on 6/2/2015
Currently sailing at 5 Knots directly towards Bermuda, most of the day we we making 7 plus knots on the same coarse. We had been motor sailing a lot the last 3 days as the winds have been very light, it is a pleasure to be sailing towards our destination. The crew is doing wonderful! Much interest in DR plotting, celestial nav, meal prep and general boat handling. The weather has been very pleasant with bright sunny days, blue skies, blue water, warm air temps, low humidity and cool nights. "Montauk Light" has been her usual pleasant and reliable self taking good care of all of us on board.

My Best To All - Jerry Nigro Capt.

Rita Hanson said...

From: S/V Montauk Light
Subject: Status 6-3
Date: June 3, 2015 6:37:00 PM EDT
To: MD School

1540 position 3219-6913. Winds SE10. COG 100M. BDA approach waypoint 240 NM. Crew all completed the ASA108 onboard celestial and other requirements. Rocky preparing our second serving of pasta and meatballs previously prepared. Skies clouding up and we anticipate rain later as indicated in Brad's forecast... All is well and crew jovial.

Tom

Rita Hanson said...

From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX MIA to BDA 6/05 - 7
Date: June 4, 2015 8:57:21 AM EDT
To: S/V Montauk Light

6/5 - Winds SE 15 to 20 turning S late in the day.
6/6 - Winds S 15 to 20 early, turning SSW at 10 - 15 in the afternoon
6/7 - Winds SSW 10 - 15 becoming WSW 5 to 10 during the day.
Chance of showers & t-storms thru the period - greatest chance 6/6 - chances diminishes 6/7.

Bradley

Rita Hanson said...

Good morning all! I spoke with Captain Tursi by phone this morning. They arrived in Bermuda at 0700 today June 5, 2015. They are docked at the bulkhead near the Dowlings Gas Station. Tom said they had a great passage. They sailed a lot, even though the wind was not always from the right direction. The last few days the wind direction was perfect and they were able to sail towards their destination. The weather was beautiful, sunny warm days and puffy white clouds. The next crew will board on Monday for the return passage to Huntington New York. We'll start a new blog post for the return trip. ~ Rita