S/V NAVIGATOR, our Island Packet 40 departed from Norfolk Virginia on June 9, 2023 at 1100 after two preparation days. The crew members are: Captain Frank Mummert of Maryland (Skipper), Captain David Gifford of Maryland (First Mate), and student crew members Bob Pyle (Virginia), Carlos Rodriguez (Puerto Rico), David Schrump (Maryland), and Tom Haldis (North Dakota). NAVIGATOR will sail to the location of the 41001 Ocean Buoy via non-stop ocean route and then return to Norfolk, making two Gulf Stream crossings. The cruise has an estimated distance of 625 nautical miles, and will take approximately 5-6 days, sailing both day and night. The crew is pictured above, left to right: First Mate David, Carlos, David, Tom and Bob. Captain Frank is behind the camera! 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 via SPOT, click HERE
15 comments:
Hello all! Be sure to click on the spot link above to follow the progress of NAVIGATOR and her crew. One note on the SPOT transmissions… The SPOT is far from infallible and a loss of signal is quite common. There have been times where we had no position update for more than a day. Reasons can range from a weak satellite signal, a sail bag inadvertently shifted and blocking a clear "view" of the sky, or SPOT batteries getting weak. The crew checks in with us electronically at intervals, and we will address such issues. Also, sailboat tracks are affected by wind direction, current, etc. and rarely result in a straight-line course. I’ll post updates here which will include position reports from the crew. ~ Rita
Captain Tom Tursi will be providing weather guidance to the crew during this cruise and we will post the communications here. This first was from yesterday, just prior to this morning's departure, giving the go-ahead.
From: "Tom Tursi"
Subject: Wx 6-8
Date: June 8, 2023 at 11:26:32 AM EDT
To: S/V NAVIGATOR
Weather forecasts from Chesapeake Bay to 250 nm offshore indicate nothing threatening; no tropical storms showing on the National Hurricane Center forecast. Currently a trough along mid-Atlantic coast, expected to blow out by Saturday.
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: 108 DAY 1
Date: June 9, 2023 at 8:05:19 PM EDT
To: MD School
We have been underway through one complete watch rotation. Odometer indicates about 35 miles. Winds are light, but finally shifting to the south. We have been motor sailing at a conservative 1800 rpm, with a full main, which has provided a respectable average 5 kts by GPS. We put a reef in the main for overnight, in hopeful anticipation of more wind. A storm cell has been chasing us for the last hour, providing gentle rain and distant lightning.
Dinner was franks and beans in expectation of an ocean swell which has yet to develop. Temperatures are cool, bordering on chilly.
All well with the crew, mate and captain.
From: "Tom Tursi"
Subject: Wx 6/9 PM
Date: June 9, 2023 at 9:42:11 PM EDT
To: "S/V Navigator"
Large High Pressure area mid-Atlantic for next two days. Low moving E from Georgia; no issue for you. Another Low way north looks to stay north and away from you. NHC shows no tropical cyclones for next two days. Wind forecast tonight 5-10 SE-W, Sat 5-10 NW-NE, and Sat night 10 S-SW. Sunday SW-S 10 with G20. Depending how far S you get Monday shows S15-25 down toward Hatteras
Say Hello and give my best to your crew
Tom
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: 108 DAY 2
Date: June 10, 2023 at 5:21:56 PM EDT
To: MD School
The day started well. At 4:00 AM, we were finally able to shut the engine down and commence sailing. This glorious proposition lasted until about noon, when the wind once again deserted us. We “hove to” for dinner - technically, we just stopped motoring. Our true wind hovered between 1 and 3 knots. We are, for all practical purposes, becalmed.
Based on maintaining a conservative engine speed, we have only used 1/4 of our fuel. However, if this continues, we are approaching the point where we will shut down the engine and drift until either we get some wind or we reach our designated return time (0001, Monday morning).
On positive notes, we have seen multiple pods of dolphin, we have entered the Gulf Stream (and hope to clear it tonight) and are finally out of range of the USCG radio stations. All of the students’ sextant work is paying off and their getting better and better readings.
Dinner tonight was pasta and meatballs. Delicious any time, but especially on the deep blue ocean.
Captain Frank Mummert
Aboard S/V Navigator
From: "Tom Tursi"
Subject: Wx 6/10 PM
Date: June 10, 2023 at 7:16:46 PM EDT
To: "S/V Navigator"
Looks like winds will increase to S-SW 10-20 by Sunday and 15-25 by Monday with high pressure continuing. No significant Lows at present and no tropical storms forecast. Looks like the Gulf Stream has a grip on you and is pushing you to NE. Your fuel consumption looks a little high for this stage of the cruise; I suggest limiting engine use to 1500 rpm. Any rain or fog? Have a good evening.
Tom
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: 108 DAY 3A
Date: June 11, 2023 at 8:02:53 AM EDT
To: MD School
Wind came up during the night as forecast. Sailing is great.
~ Captain Frank Mummert aboard S/V NAVIGATOR
From: "Tom Tursi"
Subject: 6/11 AM
Date: June 11, 2023 at 12:41:07 PM EDT
To: "S/V Navigator
It looks like you are right on track for your target waypoint ODAS buoy. I hope the wind holds for you. Enjoy the sail!!
Tom
From: S/VNavigator
Subject: 108 DAY 3
Date: June 11, 2023 at 5:54:12 PM EDT
To: MD School
Today has been wonderful. For those tracking our voyage, all of today’s progress has been under sail. We finally had to turn the engine at 5:00 PM for charging, but hopefully, this will be the only time the noisy beast runs today.
Celestial practice continues - today we performed a running fix to determine our location and compared it to our GPS location. We were not very far off. By the way, “doing shots” has a totally different meaning on a small boat at sea.
We have passed the three hundred mile mark and will be turning around at midnight to start heading home. We never saw “Little Bermuda” but definitely hope to be in range on the return trip.
~ Captain Frank Mummert aboard S/V NAVIGATOR
From: "Tom Tursi"
Subject: Wx 6/11 PM
Date: June 11, 2023 at 7:31:54 PM EDT
To: "S/V Navigator"
Low way up north will drag a cold front offshore mid-Atlantic on Tue. Winds your location SE-S-SW 15-25 Sunday night thru Monday night; Wed-Wed night winds SW 20-30 from 100 to 250 NM from shore. Closer in to shore Wed SW 20-30; Wed night W-SW 15-25; Thu winds variable direction 5-15; Thu night S 5-15. No tropical cyclones per NHC.
Sail on... I can see that you are close to ODAS 41001 and anticipate your rounding sometime tonight. You're doing great now that you have some decent winds to work with. Looks like you'll be close hauled for much of the return, but the wind direction will favor the GS crossing. Take it easy; keep the main short...
Tom
From: "Tom Tursi"
Subject: Wx 6/12 PM
Date: June 12, 2023 at 7:27:28 PM EDT
To: "S/V Navigator"
Weather forecast pretty much unchanged from yesterday. Cold front still coming offshore tonight or early morning. Expect S-SW 20-30 tonight moderating slightly tomorrow and as you draw closer to the coast; expect t-storms. No tropical storms per NHC. You have been making great progress since turning around at 41001, and staying as far south as possible as you have been doing; looks like the GS is still working on you. You are certainly getting your fill of ocean sailing and 30 knots at 2 am. Take it easy and heave too if it gets too rough.
Tom
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: 108 DAY 4
Date: June 12, 2023 at 8:08:22 PM EDT
To: MD School
Too rolly out here to focus on a long message. All is well. Crew tired but happy. About 100 miles to CB Buoy. Anticipate arriving at Cobb’s Wednesday morning as planned.
~ Captain Frank Mummert aboard S/V NAVIGATOR
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: 108 DAY 5
Date: June 13, 2023 at 5:45:18 PM EDT
To: MD School
Today was a great day. After finally punching out of the Gulf Steam about midnight, we hove to in order to give the crew some much-needed rest. At a little after 4:00 AM, we were back underway. The wind had shifted around to the north while we sat, so we were able to sail on a close reach back toward Norfolk.
Unfortunately, by 10:00, the wind was getting very light and we were forced to start motor sailing. While this was disappointing, we were rewarded with a flat blue-green sea that allowed us to watch the multitude of sea life that surrounded us. Turtles and sharks showed up but it was the multiple dolphin pods that provided the best entertainment. Sometimes, they were close enough to the boat that we could clearly see their whole body as they flew past us.
To continue a Captain Tom Tursi tradition, Captain Frank made omelets for the crew. They were much appreciated and definitely part of the curriculum. Dinner tonight was Dinty Moore stew, another perennial “favorite.”
The wind has come up somewhat, from behind us. Our goal for tonight is to continue sailing toward the CB buoy, our last major waypoint on the way out. Depending on when we arrive there, we will heave to and await the dawn to make the run back into Cobb’s Marina tomorrow.
~ Captain Frank Mummert aboard S/V NAVIGATOR
From: "Tom Tursi"
Subject: Wx 6/13 PM
Date: June 13, 2023 at 7:35:57 PM EDT
To: "S/V Navigator"
Sounds like you had a great sail past 24 hours. Aint that heaving to just the greatest thing ever? It got you through a rough patch last night along with being coddled by S/V Navigator.
Tonight should be an easy night with 5-10 from S or SE. Slight chance of showers but no mention of t-storms. Low developing off of Hatteras with gale developing south of that but no problem for you on Wed AM; winds coming up for C Henry area later Wed. Again, no tropicals per NHC.
Navigator arrived safely back at Cobb's Marina in Norfolk Virginia this morning, June 14, 2023, at 0830. Congratulations crew!
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