Captain Jochen Hoffmann called me by cell phone saying that CELESTIAL, our IP440 departed Bermuda at 1700 EDT bound for Norfolk. Winds are moderate from the south which will allow them to sail off wind and possibly fly the cruising chute. Winds are expected to remain from the south and moderate further over the next two days. The weather map to the left shows conditions at departure.Aboard CELESTIAL are: Captain Jochen Hoffmann (VA), First Mate Jim Bortnem (MN), and crewmembers Kevin Malloy (NJ), Rick Lane (NC), Edana Long (NC), and Chris Flemming (ME). CELESTIAL will make the passage to Norfolk via a planned non-stop ocean route. The cruise has an estimated distance of 670 miles, and will take approximately 6 days, sailing both day and night. Please read the COMMENTS to this post where we will follow their ocean cruise with reports from the crew, discussions on weather and reports on actual progress.
12 comments:
Sounds like a great start to the voyage! LIve the dream Kevin.
We'll be tracking CELESTIAL's progress by Skymate and will post their progress here.
Enjoy!
This weather communication was sent by Captain Tom Tursi here at the school via Skymate to CELESTIAL at 9:15 EDT on Monday, June 8th:
"Forecast winds SW below 20kt through Wednesday and 25kt on Thursday. Stationary front north of you today. Low over Jacksonville today; no movement forecast. Low developing over South Carolina Thursday; moving ENE."
We received the following on Monday evening June 8 from Captain Hoffmann via Skymate:
"Winds NW 8-12 this morning, now 3-5 on the nose. Chris and I managed good sun fix. Light training as crew adjusted to the sea and routine. All is well. Thanks for Wx [weather] report. J"
This weather communication was sent by Captain Tom Tursi here at the school via Skymate to CELESTIAL at 9:15 EDT on Monday, June 8th:
Today a stationary front extending east from NJ; A low pressure storm system off the coast of South Carolina moving NNE. On Thursday, another low developing over Ohio moving to New England Friday. Will drag a cold front offshore Saturday. Expect SW winds below 20 knots except 25 knots Thur-Fri. No tropical storms systems currently exist.
To view the latest position, click here.
We received the following on Wednesday June 10, 2009 1131 EDT from Captain Hoffmann via Skymate:
Since 0700 slow going in SSW 8-12 kts. Good time to train: fire drill, man overboard under sail (Day 1 we did MOB under power), systems checks. Spirits high. ETA Sat. J
The following was sent in reply from Captain Tursi to CELESTIAL via Skymate:
Little change from previous weather report. Expect SW below 20 to Saturday.
Rick, I'm kind of hoping you weren't the MOB... Sorry guys, he's kind of important to me and losing him off the coast of Bermuda would not be fun. On the other hand, I'm also hoping that whoever was fortunate enough to be the MOB was retrieved safe and sound. I'm glad the weather sounds so nice. Hopefully, none of you needed the Bonine or the long underwear...
Enjoy every salt sprayed moment. Be safe. take care of each other. I love you, Rick.
Mary
It's great tracking the boat on the map -- I think I saw the spot where the MOB drill took place : ) Captain - are you motor-sailing? and under the current & expected conditions, do you have an ETA?
Kevin -- have they had to eat your cooking yet? If so, you must have been the MOB by popular choice! Love you - see you soon. Mary Ellen
No significant weather changes today. ETA Saturday. Received from Captain Hoffmann, Thursday June 11 via Skymate:
Last evening 0000 EDT best wind so far SW 18-22; variable since then. Entering wide Gulf Stream @ 1100. Crew/systems ok. Current training on navigation, landfall. J
Track CELESTIAL's progress by clicking here.
Captain Jochen called me at 1900 EDT Friday and said they were about 20 miles from Norfolk with an ETA of 2200. All crew were healthy and happy to make landfall and to complete their ocean passage.
CELESTIAL arrived safe and sound late Friday night in Norfolk after a successful passage. The next crew will arrive on Tuesday June 16th for the return to Bermuda, then on to Mystic, CT!
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