Monday, November 4, 2013
Norfolk VA to St Thomas USVI Ocean Training Cruise November 2013
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Our IP 40 S/V NAVIGATOR
NAVIGATOR, our Island Packet 40 Ocean Training Vessel, in her home slip.
About Us
- Rita Hanson
- Rita Hanson is the General Manager of the Maryland School of Sailing and Seamanship with primary cognizance for scheduling, customer service and finances. She is a lifelong sailor, mother of two grown children, mechanical engineer and an avid equestrian and bicyclist.
35 comments:
We received a message from Mate Tom Tursi aboard CELESTIAL at 5:30 PM this evening, that all was well aboard CELESTIAL. They were sailing south just past Cape Henry on a course of 165° headed towards Cape Hatteras. He said (with glee) that it was cold and blowing about 16-18 knots. They're off!
Rita
Track updated on Google Map.
From: Captain Jochen Hoffmann
Subject: Wx 110513
Date: November 5, 2013 11:10:32 AM EST
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Cc: office@mdschool.com
HP to Wed nte. CF from NW pass Thu to early Fri. HP & WF follow. NC coast: TD/TN NE 15-20, Wed NE 10-15 veering E 5-10 in PM, SE late. HC to CFr: TN E-NE 15-25 becomg 10-20. Wed E-NE 10-20 becomg E-SE in PM. Thu S-SW 10-20, 20-30 late. No Tropicals. Bon Voyage. J
Readers... because transmission to and from the boat is rather expensive and we pay by the character, we use the following abbreviations between the weather forecaster and CELESTIAL crew:
LEGEND (Selected abbreviations)
BDA-Bermuda;
CF-Cold front;
G-Gusts
GS-Gulf Stream
HC-Hatteras Canyon (an offshore forecast region)
HP-High pressure
HS-Frcst-High Seas Forecast
LP-Low pressure
N,E,S,W- Cardinal compass directions
NWS-National Weather Service
TD-today
TN-tonight
WF-Warm front
wx-weather.
Begin forwarded message:
From: S/V CELESTIAL
Subject: 11-5 @ 1500
Date: November 5, 2013 2:13:23 PM EST
To: Jochen Hoffmann, MD School
3516N, 7504W. All's well. Bright sun. Wind 20-25 NE. Waves 6-8. Sailing reefed main and jib. Spirits high.
T
From: Jochen Hoffmann
Subject: w x11/06
Date: November 6, 2013 8:11:28 AM EST
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Thx for your 11/05 rpt. HC-Cfr: CF approach TN pass by Thu NT. Next CF Sun. TN E-SE 10-15 becomg S-SE after midNT. Thu S-SE 10-20 becomg S-SW15-25 in PM. ThuNT shift N20-25. Fri N-NE 15-25 diminish Sat 5-15. Sun var 5-15. J
From: S/V CELESTIAL
Subject: Wx / contact`
Date: November 6, 2013 10:48:41 AM EST
To: Jochen Hoffmann, MD School
Jochen - thanx - got 11-5 & 11-6 wx. currently (10:38 Wed) 34.00 N x 74.25 W, in 18-25 kts E. Plan to push south to get thru GS asap. All is well. J & T.
Track updated on Google Map.
From: Captain Jochen Hoffmann
Subject: Wx 11/07
Date: November 7, 2013 8:00:13 AM EST
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Thx for your 11/06 rpt. Fronts as rptd plus HP Mo. HC-CpFr: TD S-SE 15-25 seas 6-9; TN N 20-30 seas 5-9 except E of 75W 7-12; Fri N-NW 20-30 seas 7-12; FriNT N 15-25 diminish midNT. CpFr to 31N: TD S-SE 10-20; TN N-NW 15-25 becomg N-NE 20-30 midNt seas 6-9; Fri N-NE 20-30 seas 7-11. FriNT N-NE15-25 becomg E-NE 15-20 midNT. Sat E-NE 5-15. J
Hey Rita, Thanks for the posts. We love keeping up with Tom and Celestial. Hope all is well. Tell Jochen hello for Teddy and I.
Brian and Teddy White
sv Indian Summer
Will Do Brian and Teddy! If you are watching the google plot, you will see some interesting strategy. I expect Captain Hoffmann to comment on that soon, so stand by! https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zwiIajq24dWM.kIBa6B3i9pY0
For those of you following the ship's track on the google map, you may find this observation from Captain Hoffmann (who is providing shore based weather anaylsis to the crew) very interesting:
"Observations on CELESTIAL’s track to St. Thomas as of 11/07/2013 at 1400. An expected rhumb (straight) line to St. Thomas runs roughly SE from Cape Henry, Virginia to 065 degrees W longitude. Then why does the yacht steer South, roughly along 075 degrees longitude? The first answer was the Gulf Stream per ship’s report of 11/06/13: “push S and cross the Stream asap” (while winds are blowing against the current and making for an uncomfortable sea state). Next, I believe, the crew took advantage of strong ENE winds on the port beam to go as far South as possible before today’s predicted cold front and wind shift to SSE (on the nose). Looking at today’s track, that shift might have occurred around 0900, prompting a tack and desirable course change to ESE to gain back some “easting” – and to be on a desirable course for the expected wind shift N tonight.
Jochen"
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: Jochen Hoffmann
Sent: 11/8/2013 10:44:45 A.M. EST
Subj: Wx - loc - status
Thanx for last wx. All well here. currently (Fri 1015) 31 11 x 72 58, reaching SSE. Out of coastal forecast range - high seas henceforth. So far wx has been less than predicted, but enough.
Best, Capn Jack
From: Jochen Hoffmann
Subject: 11/08 wx
Date: November 8, 2013 12:41:13 PM EST
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Thanks for your 11/08 status. H Seas: TD & Sat HP; W of recent CF expect NNE 20-25; Sun Stationary Front 28N60W to 25 N 80W. Expect 20 KT or less N of Stnry Frt. No Tropical storms. J.
A note for those who know Maryland School Instructor Captain Steve Runals. Steve is crew on "Free Spirit" in the 2013 Caribbean 1500 fleet to Tortola, BVI. Captain Hoffmann received a test satellite phone call from Captain Runals this morning. "Free Spirit" left Norfolk more than two days ahead of CELESTIAL and they are now (0915, 11/0813) at 26.23 N; 69.57 W, course 140 M in light S winds.
From: Jchen Hoffmann
Subject: Re: Wx 11/9
Date: November 9, 2013 2:29:39 PM EST
To: S/V CELESTIA:
HP TD and Sun. Recent CF still just S of you along a line from 31N 62W to 28N 70W to 26N 80W and becoming stationary on Sun near 27 N longitude. Expect N to NE 20-25, on Sun less then 20 Kt. Trade Wind belt begins near 27N. J
From: Jochen Hoffmann
Subject: Wx 11/10
Date: November 10, 2013 4:39:15 PM EST
To: S/V/ CELESTIAL
Front S of you dissipates TN. New CF moving S becmg stationary Tue on a line from 32N 60W to Key W. TD E-NE 10-15. Mo SW 5-10. Tue E 10-15. J
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: Jochen Hoffmann
Sent: 11/11/2013 9:28:54 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Wx / status
Many thanks - current pos (1020 Mon) 27 33 x 68 16. All well. J
From: Jochen Hoffmann
Subject: Wx 11/11
Date: November 11, 2013 10:21:57 AM EST
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Thx for your status of 11/11. TD SE to E 5-10; Tue E 10 KT. No Tropical storms. J.
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/11/2013 6:36:36 P.M. EST
Subj: 11/11 #2
Steve Runals called from S/V FREE SPIRIT, @ 1430 they were at 1954Nx6508W. Sailed rhumb line. SSE Trades make for slow going. Recommends going E of 65W. 96 hr forecast: Trades shift E @ 10. J
From: S/V CELESTIAL
Subject: Wx / status
Date: November 12, 2013 9:00:30 AM EST
To: MD School, Jochen Hoffmann
0840 pos 27 21 x 66 22. Wx SW yesterday - calm last night, and SW 15+ today. Conditions OK, but curious. All is well. J
From: Jochen Hoffmann
Subject: Wx 11/12
Date: November 12, 2013 9:54:35 AM EST
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Thx for Wx and Status of 0820 11/12. Forecasts as reported. New: Graphic TD shows Trough SW to NE at 28N70W. Wed/Thu S-SW 10. Fri/Sat Trades E 10-15. Arctic CF NW move Thu to line frm 29N65W to 23N80W; W of CF N-NE 20-30. J
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/12/2013 11:31:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: 11/12 #2
Steve Runals now in BVI and has this message for CELESTIAL crew: "You can get Chris Parker's wx report for Salty Dogs flotilla @ 1700 on SSB-freq 8152. Same freq for Cruiseheimers net @ 0830."
From: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/13/2013 8:25:44 A.M. EST
Subj: wx / status
Position 0919 Wed - 25 55 x 64 09. Still beating into SW wind, making ~ 163 psc. Any idea when we get E wind? Thanks, J
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/13/2013 9:29:39 A.M. EST
Subj: Wx 11/13
Thanks for your status 11/13. Broad trough 30N70W to 22N76W weakens, drifting SE Today. Strong cold front moves SE & reach 25N65W to central Cuba Thu AM where forecasted to stall & dissipate over SE waters Thu eve. TD S-SW 10-15. Tonight: N of 25Nx65W W-NW 10-15 KT becoming N 15-20 late. Thu: N of 25N NE 20-25; S of 25N 15-20. ThNT: NE-E 15-20. Fri/Sat: S of 22N NE-E 10-15 becoming NE 15-20, J
From Captain Jochen to our readers:
A note on weather and CELESTIAL’s current (11/13/13) track. About midnight last night, CELESTIAL reached an expected turning mark, namely 27 N longitude where one normally finds the N edge of the Trade Wind belt and the 65th W Meridian, lying due N of St. Thomas. Trade Winds generally flow E to W in the northern hemisphere allowing for a nice, fast ride S along 65 W with the wind on one’s port beam. Sailors call it fondly “riding highway 65.” Alas, yesterday’s low pressure trough and the arriving CF trump Trade Wind flow. They have forced the crew to beat against SW winds on a SSE course and beyond 65W. But the passing CF will bring NE winds. So, let’s look for the crew to finally turn before too long and sail directly toward their destination. Jochen
From: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/13/2013 3:03:04 P.M. EST
Subj: wx
Many thanks. No relief for SSW til maybe Thur nite? We will be S of 25/64 by tonite - continued SSW for us? You say " S o f 25N 15-20" for Thur nite. From what direction? Thanks, Jack
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/13/2013 6:27:15 P.M. EST
Subj: Wx11/13 #2
Answer: Direction was also NE. Expect S-SW winds end late tonight. NWS Frcst @ 1600 TD: CF stalls Thu becoming shear line from 24.5N65W to Cuba ThuNT. TNT S of 25 N: S 5-10 shiftg NE-E late. Thu: NE 15-20; ThNT NE 20-25 becoming NE-E15-20.late & into Fri. Jochen
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/14/2013 9:03:52 A.M. EST
Subj: Wx11/14
Conditions at 0800: 24Nx6430W N 7-10; Trades start 23N @ E 5-10. Expect CF this eve then will dissipate. HP Fri. Forecast: No chge from 1600 yesterday. S of 22 N between 55W-65W: Fri NE-E 10-15 diminish NE 5-10 Fri NT. Sat/Sun N-NE 10-15. J.
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/15/2013 8:02:09 A.M. EST
Subj: Wx11/15
Surface boundary from 22N65W to E Cuba dissipate by Sat. TD NE-E 10-15 diminish NE-E 5-10 late. Sat/Sun NE-E 10-15. J.
From: S/V CELESTIAL
To: Jochen Hoffmann
Sent: 11/15/2013 9:11:26 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: WX - Status
Thanks. 1000 pos 22 09 x 63 07. All Well. Tentative ETA Sun PM? J
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/16/2013 8:24:31 A.M. EST
Subj: Wx11/16/13
TD NE-E 10-15; TNT&Sun NE 15-20.
From: S/V CELESTIAL
Subject: ETA
Date: November 17, 2013 7:19:57 AM EST
To: office@mdschool.com
Currently coasting along under Virgin Gorda, ETA Crown Bay ~ 1600 1800. J
From: Jochen Hoffmann
To: S/V CELESTIAL
Sent: 11/17/2013 8:04:01 A.M. EST
Subj: Wx11/17
TD N-NE 10-15, hi surf N coasts. Should get VHFwx soon. Happy landfall. J
CELESTIAL docked at Crown Bay Marina at 1500 today, Sunday November 17, 2013. Thank you to all who followed along!
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