S/V NAVIGATOR, our Island Packet 40 departed from Norfolk Virginia on May 28, 2024 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 Ali Soylu (Maryland), Igor Modlin (New Jersey), Kurt Zinsmeyer (Texas) and Michael Yakir (New Jersey). NAVIGATOR will make the passage to Bermuda via a non-stop ocean route. The cruise has an estimated distance of 670 nautical 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 the discussion, see the COMMENTS to this blog post. To follow their actual progress on via SPOT, click HERE.
48 comments:
Captain Tom Tursi will be providing shore based weather and other guidance to the crew. I'll include his reports to the crew here on the blog, beginning with this one relayed prior to departure:
From: Tom Tursi
Subject: BDA1 WX 5/27
Date: May 27, 2024 at 8:27:44 PM EDT
To: MD School, S/V Navigator
Looks like this will clear out tonight and be good for tomorrow, Tuesday. Looks good to go.
ANZ899-280845-
440 PM EDT Mon May 27 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR MID ATLC WATERS...A cold front will move E and SE
over the region tonight into Wed night while weakening. In
association with the front, widespread thunderstorms are expected
to move offshore late today and tonight. Mariners should use
caution for gusty winds and rough seas in and near the heavier
thunderstorms. Developing low pressure will move off the northern
Mid-Atlantic coast Wed night, then track NE across the northern
portions later Wed night into Thu night while a secondary cold
front moves E and SE across the waters. High pressure will build
into the waters Fri and Fri night, then persist through Sat
night.
From: Frank Mummert
Subject: Re: Wx 5/27
Date: May 27, 2024 at 4:47:25 PM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
Spot active, check-in message sent.
We are good to go. Unless I hear differently from you, we are underway about 0800 tomorrow.
Thumbs up.
From: Frank Mummert
Subject: Underway
Date: May 28, 2024 at 9:05:25 AM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
We are fueled, pumped out and underway.
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: BDA - DAY 1
Date: May 28, 2024 at 12:07:04 PM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
After two very full days of preparation, we are finally underway. We departed Cobb’s Marina at 1000, after fueling and pumping out. Winds are out of the north at 5 to 10 knots and we have the main sail set. We were delayed getting past the tunnel, as an aircraft carrier, a destroyer and a submarine claimed precedence and we were forced to slowdown and circle. We are headed east toward Cape Henry, where we will turn south and head toward Cape Hatteras and the Gulf Stream. All are well.
Have a FABULOUS trip!
Good Luck and fair winds! I'm looking forward to making this trip with you soon!
Frank... Looks like you are living right
ANZ830-290845-
Currituck Beach Light to Cape Hatteras to 100 NM offshore-
434 PM EDT Tue May 28 2024
.TONIGHT...W to SW winds 5 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Scattered
showers and tstms.
.WED...N to NW winds less than 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...Variable winds less than 10 kt, becoming S to SW.
Seas 3 to 4 ft.
.THU...N to NW winds 5 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft.
To all the crew!
Stay united, embrace the experience and make memories that will last a lifetime. Wishing you smooth sailing and safe travels! 🌊🐬⛵️
I see that you were off Oregon Inlet around sunrise. Did the sport fisher fleet come out to greet you?
Congratulations to the first day's crews for what appears to be an arrow-straight course to your destination! Wishing you continued fair weather, experiences and fun.
Navigator... I see that you have turned SE Wed morning; good move. BDA Wx charts for the next three days are favorable to you showing Low at 37N/70W moving NE dragging a Cold Front. High Pressure settling in over VA and moving E by Fri; you appear to be in E sector of HP with persistent N winds. Expect NW-N 10-20 kt winds Thursday and remaining N into Sat and maybe Sunday. No gale warnings in your area and no tropicals per NHC
Sail on!!
Tom
Hi Rita! Just out of curiosity, when did the phone connection disappear on the boat? Any idea when it’s back?
Elena, If you mean personal cell phone service, they will lose that pretty quickly once they are on the ocean, out of shore based cell tower range. They will not get it back until they reach Bermuda, assuming they have an international calling plan with their cellular provider.
Just as a point of interest, oil rigs often have cell towers. When my son passes oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico (he is a tug boat pilot) he will get a signal and text to say hi! No oil rigs on this route!
Rita
Very interesting, thank you, Rita!
Rita, do you forward our messages to them? If yes, how frequently will you be doing so?
Please inform Igor that Lyalya from Kazan is celebrating her 5th birthday today.
Also, Alyonka, Margo, and Michael are coming on Friday, May 31. Lastly, let him know that we all miss him dearly.
From: S/VNavigator
Subject: BDA - DAY 2
Date: May 29, 2024 at 12:00:12 PM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
After 26 hours underway, all is well aboard. We reached our departure point off Cape Hatteras and have turned east for Bermuda. They predicted winds have not yet materialized, so we are continuing with a slow motor-sail combination. Spectacular lightning displays overnight kept us buttoned up, but we have had no rain. Sextant training is going well.
Frank
Hi Elena and all, Messages are not forwarded to them at sea, but they will read the blog once they have service, so fee free to add messages here.
This is great -- just returned from a trip down Atlantic. I'll be following. I'd be careful of that crew -- looks like at least one pirate. ;)
Frank... Looks like you are past the GS and aiming for BDA. Forecast looks favorable for a direct line to BDA
Sail on!
Tom
ANZ930-310215-
Hatteras Canyon to Cape Fear between 100 NM and 250 NM offshore-
1044 AM EDT Thu May 30 2024
.TODAY...W to NW winds 5 to 15 kt, becoming N to NW. Seas 3 to 4 ft.
.TONIGHT...N winds 5 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Chance of tstms.
.FRI...N winds 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft. Chance of showers and tstms.
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 15 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft. Scattered showers and tstms.
.SAT...N winds 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N winds 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.SUN...N winds 10 to 20 kt, diminishing to less than 10 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...Variable winds less than 10 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.MON...W to SW winds less than 10 kt, becoming variable. Seas 6 to 8 ft.
.MON NIGHT...S to SW winds less than 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft.
Thank you Rita! I will do)
What are the potential consequences of encountering pirates?
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: BDA - DAY 3
Date: May 30, 2024 at 11:39:03 AM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
We are finally sailing!
As we got to Cape Hatteras yesterday morning, our path was crossed by dozens of sport fishing boats, all headed east. About noon, as we approached the Gulf Stream, we found them all again, fishing in the break between the deep and shallow water. At one point, we counted 32 boats, from one end of the horizon to the other.
We continued into the Gulf Stream, where the water turned deep blue and its temperature increased by ten degrees. We still had not found any wind for sailing, so we proceeded to slowly motor through, with the current pushing us north as fast as we were going east. A little experimentation found the course that balanced the northern push and we were able to move generally through on a straight line.
A little after noon, we thought we had found the wind, but we were only able to hold it for about two hours. Then it was back to motor sailing.
We have seen several pods of dolphins, many sharks, some flying fish and even a possible whale.
We put a reef in the main sail as the sun dropped, because we could see lightning behind us. The squalls chased us for about 8 hours, finally catching us at just after 4:00. We got blown around the ocean as the wind rose to 35 knots and turned all the way around us, finally leaving us wet and worn out about 30 minutes later.
However, behind the squall line was a lovely sailing breeze. We put up the staysail initially and were cruising along about over 6 knots. However, it has continued to drop, so we doused the staysail and put up the full Genoa. This has brought our speed back, but we worry that the wind will continue to drop on us.
All on board are well and we are, by our calculation, more than a third of the way to our destination. Spirits are high.
Frank
Dolphins, sharks, flying fish and whale are better than pirates 👍
Thanks to all for sharing these blog comments. Sailing vicariously through Maryland School...👍
Center of high over S Carolina today and forecast winds for you are N-NW below 20 kt through Sunday. High moving east and expected to overtake and pass east of you before your BDA arrival; winds then clock to S and SW by late Sunday or into Monday. See attached clips.
BDA local synopsis issued today:
Sunday - Winds NW 10 to 15 knots, easing 5 knots during the evening and shifting directions overnight, then settling southerly during the late night... Chance of isolated showers with mainly fair visibility.
Monday - Winds southerly 8 to 12 knots, shifting direction at times. Seas outside the reef 3 to 6 ft, decreasing.
Suggest that you bias course a little S of straight line to BDA target if you expect to arrive later than Sunday day in view of wind shift to S later than that.
No cyclone development per NHC
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: BDA - DAY 4
Date: May 31, 2024 at 11:07:42 AM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
We have been sailing for over 24 hours, and the engine has been off the entire time. Between good battery management and the new solar panel, we have yet to have had to use the engine for power.
We are now closer to Bermuda than we are to Norfolk. Although it took us 3 days to reach this point, we hope that the increased speed that the sails are providing will allow to cover the second half more quickly!
The new boat movement caused some queasiness yesterday and dinner, which was supposed to be chili and rice, turned out to be just rice for half the crew. However, by this morning, everyone seems to be in better sorts and breakfast was well attended.
In fact, we even had a stowaway this morning! A flying fish came aboard sometime during the night and was found on the side deck.
We haven’t seen any traffic, other than airplanes, for the last day and night. We continue to keep an eye out but mostly, we just see water - and flying fish schools (or should that be flocks?)
The crew is all well and looking forward to telling you all the stories in just a few days.
Frank
Exciting! Less than two days to go! The boat is devouring the remaining distance to Bermuda. Delighted that the sailing is smooth and safe!
Why didn’t you guys catch a fish and make it if chili didn’t happen?
Hey, great following you on your trip,
Thomas Beckman
Navigator... Today, center of High is over S Carolina and there is a Low several hundred miles NE of BDA producing a pinch zone and 25 kt NW winds W and NW of BDA. W of the pinch, about where you are, winds are lighter from N-NW. Sunday, center of High to move offshore mid-way to BDA and your winds should continue NW probably below 15 knots. Monday, High to move over BDA and winds shift SW-S-SE 10 kt or less at your position.
BDA local forecast:
Marine Synopsis - High pressure now building in from west to bring mainly fair weekend. Occasional strong northwesterly winds steadily ease to light through weekend.
Today - Winds N-NW 16-22
Tonight - Winds N-NW 10-15 backing NW overnight.
Sunday - Winds N-NW 10-15 easing N 8-12 in afternoon, becoming variable 5-8 overnight, then settling S-SW towards dawn.
Monday - Winds S-SW 5-8.
Tuesday - Winds S-SW 5-8 veering W-NW 8-12 overnight... Chance of isolated showers with fair visibility.
Sail On!!
Tom
From Navigator:
As noted in my report, my expectation is to arrive off Bermuda late tomorrow, probably after dark. My plan is to move north and east of the island and then heave to until morning. Your thoughts?
Reply from Tom:
Your plan sounds good. BDA radio sometimes has asked me to come in during dark, and sometimes I have done this but I have been through there many times so I don't advise it
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: BDA - DAY 5
Date: June 1, 2024 at 11:19:05 AM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
We are less than 175 miles to our destination and the crew is eager to get to Bermuda. The food on board has been good but all are in agreement that a Cheeseburger in Paradise would not go down bad.
We are continuing to sail, and the wind is out of the north/northwest at about 15 to 20 kn, gusting occasionally to 25. The boat continues to sail well, although the spray is annoying. The weather has gotten chilly and most of the crew is wearing long pants and foul weather gear.
We had an interesting weather event yesterday. Just after dinner, while we were still in the cleanup phase, the wind suddenly rose from its normal 15 to 20 to 30 kn of wind, gusting to 35. The crew leapt into action and quickly furled the head sail. We already had a reef in the main. We quickly buttoned up the boat, putting in the second drop board and pinning it, and making sure that all gear below was safe and secure. We noted our location just in case.
The wind held at that rate for about an hour, then slowly moderated back to its original force. By this time, it was almost night, so we put in the staysail, just to be cautious. The wind held during the night and we were able to continue to make good time, although the ride was definitely rougher than it had been.
By morning, the wind was down to the point that we were able to secure the staysail and put out a jib. We are now romping along at about 6 kn well on our way to our destination.
We currently anticipate arriving off the island near dark tomorrow evening. If that is the case, we will wait offshore until daylight to make our arrival. Getting into Georgetown on Monday makes far more sense than trying to get in late on Sunday.
There is however some trepidation about waiting. Just before the weather event last evening, we noted on the radar that there was another contact near us. It appears to be another sailboat headed toward Bermuda. We tried to contact them and we think they tried to contact us but we have been unable to get in touch with them. As any sailor knows, when there are two sailboats headed the same direction, there is a race. Now we are not racing, but we would hate to be the second boat in.
The crew is all well and send their regards and love to all of those ashore.
Frank
From Navigator:
Tabular log indicated we have increased bilge pumping frequency. Investigation shows leakage at rudder shaft. Leakage appears manageable for right now. Anticipate pulling all gear out of lazarette and tightening packing gland in Bermuda, If possible. Any thoughts?
Reply from Tom:
Increased bilge water likely due to water entry through the anchor hawse pipe.
How much leakage at shaft? Is it running continuously? Can you count the drips? I would be cautious of packing adjustment so far from home unless you have a steady stream. Some leakage there is good since it cools and lubricates the packing. Too tight is not good.
After reading your Day 5 report, I can almost guarantee that the increased bilge water is from the hawse pipe.
From Navigator:
Leakage is definitely through rudder packing. I have visually confirmed this. Water is leaking into aft bilge in a steady stream a little smaller than a #2 pencil. I have video of water spurting up through the rudder gland. I will send it to you as soon as we are close enough to Bermuda for data transfer. Your comment re hawsepipe definitely valid. As sea state has dropped, inflow has reduced.
Reply from Tom:
You need to decide if the leakage is a threat, or can it be managed with bilge monitoring and pumping. How simple is the packing gland adjustment? Send pix of the packing nut. Stay cool until you are in port
Tom
Thanks or sharing the log reports. Lessons learned. Carry on with the "non-racing" tactics. 😇
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: BDA - DAY 6
Date: June 2, 2024 at 11:34:40 AM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MD School
Magnificent fliers, with long white tail feathers that give them their name and distinctive look, the Bermudian long tails have been welcoming sailors to the island for hundreds of years. Yesterday, Navigator was welcomed back by two of the graceful ambassadors at about 150 miles out. It was so impressive that it was entered in the logbook - our first true sign of impending landfall.
Unfortunately, the birds also heralded the loss of our wind. Shortly after their departure, the wind became weaker and shifted further west to remain on our stern as we traveled. This, in combination with a current on our bow that slowed our progress by at least a knot, forced us to return to motoring. All through the night, we listened to the pound of the engine and dealt with the remains of a swell which came out of the north and rolled us before continuing on to the south.
This morning, the sun arose over a clear horizon and lit up an ocean that was like polished onyx, it was so dark blue. The sun threw thousands of Sue’s diamonds sparkling across the waves (sorry, personal reference - the person who it is intended for will recognize it). It is mornings like this that reminds us why we go to sea. Watching the sun come up after a long and dark night is like music for the soul.
About 0700, our long tail friends were back, flying around the boat with all manner of chirps and clucks. They were obviously trying to convey the news, but since no one aboard speaks the local dialect, we remain uninformed. We will have to wait a few more hours before we get to talk to Bermuda Radio Control. They did, fortunately, return the wind to us!
As of noon, we are once again sailing toward Bermuda, with a full main and Genoa. The engine is, mercifully, silent.
We are on schedule to be near the island tonight, but plan to wait until daybreak on Monday to get close. Hopefully, each of you will be hearing from your brave adventurer by tomorrow lunchtime.
The crew is all well, in good spirts and competing to be the first to yell out the traditional “land ho!”
Frank
Navigator... Center of high is W of you today and moving E of you by Monday morning. You should be able to receive BDA Wx over NAVTEX by now. BDA local forecast:
2024-06-02 Sunday 0900 ADT
Marine Synopsis -
High pressure holds firm over the next few days with mostly fair weather expected. Moderate winds ease light and variable for a time, while moderate seas gradually diminish slightly.
Today -
Winds NW 10-15 veering N 8-12 in afternoon. Seas outside the reef 4 to 7 ft decreasing.
Tonight -
Winds N-NW 5-8 becoming variable 3-5 knots overnight and settling S towards dawn. Seas outside the reef 3 to 6 ft decreasing.
Monday -
Winds S 3-5 increasing slightly at times during the day, then veering W-SW overnight. Seas outside the reef 3 to 5 ft decreasing during the afternoon.
Captain Frank... Wow! I did not know you were a poet too in addition to all of your other skills!
Have you been navigating by compass only, or celestial or electronic?
Thomas Beckman
Boys I've been with you all along, sailing the ocean swells over the deep blue, knowing the adventure, the uncertainty, the wonder, the call of it all, the call of the wide expanse of open water. I just sang an ocean song for you on the steps in the dark off my back porch...by the old Mill Creek flowing waters that come off the mountain here that eventually make it to the ocean waters you have just crossed...I know some of you, wish I were there...
Welcome back, Team! We missed you tons. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures at sea! Elena Ivanova.
From Navigator: At 1045 pm, we checked in with Bermuda Radio and we are proceeding to a spot NE of the island to sit and wait for dawn to make our entry. We are in sight of land for the first time in almost a week!
From: S/V Navigator
Subject: BDA - DAY 7
Date: June 3, 2024 at 1:30:52 PM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MDSchool
We are safely in Bermuda, our crew has departed for their hotels and David and Frank are looking forward to some well-deserved sleep. We arrived at about 10:00 local time, cleared through Customs and have moved to our temporary home at the Bermuda Yacht Services marina.
As we had planned, we spent the night, from a little after midnight to a little before five, drifting along on the flat sea north east of Bermuda, waiting for daylight. Just after we got started, we were passed by a huge cruise ship, which had come out of some East Coast port a day or two ago and was going to spend a couple of days in Bermuda before heading home. We stayed out of their way and bid them good voyage as they left us behind, but we knew that they were not going to enjoy as much as we had - because we earned it.
Thanks to everyone who followed our trip and kept us in their thoughts. We are already looking forward to our return voyage home.
Frank
From: Frank Mummert
Subject: BDA - WRAP UP
Date: June 5, 2024 at 10:03:09 AM EDT
To: Tom Tursi, MDSchool
David and Frank were finally able to check the rudder packing gland here in Bermuda. We are happy to report that there is no leakage at the shaft and the weeping that we saw off shore was caused by the unusual boat movement in the following sea. The bilge pumps were able to handle anything we brought aboard and we were well-served by the boat.
We would like to point out, though, that the fact that we identified this issue as rapidly as we did was due to effective log taking on an hourly basis, as well as the actions of the various watchstanders in reviewing and interpreting what those logs were trying to tell us.
Logkeeping is not a “paperwork” exercise - it can literally be the difference between a small problem and a life-threatening one.
Fair winds all,
Frank Mummert, Master
David Gifford, Mate
NAVIGATOR is docked at the "Super Yacht Dock" for sailors arriving tomorrow, June 6th.
Those hourly checks and vigilant interpretation and consideration of observations demonstrates great seamanship and attention to safety. We all know how simple problems noticed early can prevent a great event from turning into a tragedy, especially when dealing with outdoor elements. It's like scuba diving: frequent checks on your diving kit can catch problems early, and when acted upon with vigilant attention, can prevent unpleasant outcomes. Super job, Master, Mate, and Crew!
Looks like Iris may pass Navigator in the vicinity of Cape Henry! Glad to see you back (almost!) safe Navigator crew!
Capt Hattie
Our spot is https://maps.findmespot.com/s/JNP2?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rsQgZnW8rblcjM4JQM6Fo7gAcUgehA2cmmJN5XV5Fnl1W4HmMLchd6iM_aem_Aa7cpw9zuuh-t5ekdqeUIk71ETaItEc-brRUjHTTsu4kHWPy3YHCUNZ7ijCZfmfHpsedcX6nmBWgDmkUTcsjR8v_#history/assets
The cruise report for this outbound cruise is posted here: http://www.mdschool.com/Reports-2024/Bermuda/Norfolk%20to%20Bermuda%202024.htm
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