2019 Bermuda Reports

• Ocean Reports
• Graduate Letters
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• Weather

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June 7, 2019
From: Rita Hanson
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 me 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. 

Bradley Mabe, a Maryland School graduate and weather expert is providing weather guidance to the crew. I'll include his reports to the crew here on the blog, beginning with this one relayed prior to departure: 

June 8, 2019
From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: Pre-Departure WX 6/8 - 6/126/8 - BDA local - possible morning shower. partly cloudy in the afternoon with light and variable winds as high pressure is the dominant feature in your area.
6/9 - winds become more E at 5 - 10 but still light and variable for the day and evening. Showers possible.
6/10 - winds E 7 - 12 becoming SW 10 - 15 in the late afternoon.
6/11 - winds S 12 - 15 in the morning becoming SW 15 - 20 in the afternoon and evening. Increased possibility of showers as a cold front crosses the area.
6/12 - winds SW 10 - 15 becoming light and variable in the afternoon as the cold front continues to affect the area. Showers possible... The tropics remain quiet. 

June 9, 2019
From: Bradley Mabe
6/9 - mostly cloudy winds light and variable mostly E at 4 - 6 through the day and evening. Showers possible.
6/10 - winds E 5 - 7 becoming SE 5 - 10 in the afternoon. Some variability overnight winds generally S to SE 5 - 10
6/11 - winds S 7 - 12 becoming SW 12 - 15 in the afternoon. Increased chance of showers and T-storms.
6/12 - winds SW 10 - 15 in the early morning, becoming W 7 - 12 late morning and afternoon. A frontal passage overnight makes winds light and variable with increased shower and T-storm possibility. 
6/13 - winds S 10 - 15 with continued increased possibility of showers and T-storms along your anticipated course... The tropics remain quiet.

June 9, 2019
From: Rita Hanson
S/V NAVIGATOR departed at 10:00 AM this morning. 

June 9, 2019
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
We left this morning at 10:00 AM. It's been very, very light winds all day and very hot. We've been motoring. The winds are about 4 or 5 knots from the east, so we're motoring down wind. We did put up the main sail this evening although it's not really doing us any good, but it's up. I just saw a weather forecast from Brad and it looks like it's going to remain fairly light for the next couple of days. 

We did a lot of celestial work today and these guys have really turned out very well on that. They are working as a team doing celestial, taking the shots, doing the calculations and getting good results within two or three miles, a half-mile in one case. That's very good accuracy.  

The watch teams are:
12-4: Ronald and Paul
4-8: Richard and Tom
8-12: Jonathan and David 

We had beef stew tonight which Ron cooked. It's now dark. John and David are now on watch and we are motoring along comfortable in flat seas. We saw one ship passing but otherwise no activity out here. We're all doing fine!

June 10, 2019
From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX 6/10 - 14
6/10 winds ESE to SE 5 - 10 as a weak shortwave trough crosses to your W expect some variability in the winds. Afternoon and overnight winds become S 10 - 15. Chance of showers and T-storms.
6/11 winds SSW 10 - 12 becoming SW 10 - 15 Increased chance of showers and T-storms
6/12 winds WSW 10 - 12 in the early morning, becoming W 5 - 10 noon, then light and variable as a cold front moves through from W to E over the next 24 hours. Expect winds to veer NW for a few hours until settling back to S 10 - 15 overnight. Increased chance of showers and T-storms.
6/13 winds S 10 - 15 becoming SSW 10 - 15 in the afternoon. Rain possibility still present.
6/14 winds SW 10 - 15 becoming SSW in the afternoon. High pressure begins to assert itself in the evening and overnight resulting in winds veering N - and becoming light and variable. Chance of showers decreases.

June 10, 2019
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
Today was a squally day... lots of rain squalls, some sun, lots of clouds, hot and humid. We got five hours of sailing in and now we are back to motoring. We are on our track towards our way point south of Hatteras. 

We took several celestial shots today and got a nice running fix that is very close to our GPS position so that was good training for the crew. It's been a team effort. Everyone was taking shots today. One of the shots in the morning was by Richard and then the midday shot was by Jon. We took those two shots and did a running fix and got the final position which was very accurate.

Everyone is feeling well. No sea sickness. We had chicken soup for dinner and Jon and David are on now for the 8-12 watch. We have the mainsail up and we are motoring but we are really not getting much from the sail because we only have about 4 knots of wind. The forecast from Bradley indicates that we might have a slight increase tomorrow. But if you look at his forecast these conditions will probably continue for a couple of days before a cold front comes through and the winds turn to the west then to the northwest but I think that's probably two days out. We can periodically see big black clouds in the distance, some catch up to us, and some we maneuver to avoid. We expect to have a lot of that going on overnight because there is a lot of dark rain clouds in the distance. 

There have been very few ships. I think we've only seen two ships since we left Bermuda but that's normal for this route. We don't normally see ships until we get near the US border. 

So all is well!

June 10, 2019
From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX 6/11 - 15
6/11 winds SSW 12 - 18 becoming SW 15 - 20 in the afternoon and evening. Chance of showers and T-storms.
6/12 winds WSW becoming more W toward noon afternoon and evening winds light and variable becoming N 5 - 8 for a few hours overnight due to passage of cold front.
6/13 winds S 8 - 12 becoming SSW 15 - 20 late morning. increased chance of showers and T-storms.
6/14 winds SW 15 - 20 becoming W 10 - 15 in the afternoon
6/15 high pressure moves off the Carolina coast. winds N 10 - 15 in the morning becoming E 10 - 15 in the afternoon. decreased chance of showers. 

June 11, 2019 
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
Thanks Bradley for wx forecast... Position: 0840: 3303N, 6810W. 
Bright clear sunny morning. Winds S10-12. Sailing at 7+ knots with full mainsail and jib. Cheese omelets for breakfast by chef David. Jon and David on watch and having a ball sailing in perfect conditions. Expect wind increase today per Bradley’s forecast. Headed on course of 290M toward our waypoint SW of Hatteras. Did a running fix with Sun LOPs by Richard and Jon brought us close to actual GPS position; good results!

We sailed all day today starting at about 7:00 this morning as the winds filled in. We had winds from the south and then the southwest. The winds were between 15 and 20 knots most of the day. Earlier today we had a full main and a full genoa but as the winds filled in we reduced to the first reef, then after awhile reduced to the second reef and then after another while we reduced the genoa. We're sailing along quite nicely now. We have a double reefed main and a reefed genoa. It's moderated a bit with no white caps so it's probably about 15 knots. So it's nice sailing, though little bit bouncy. We are heading straight west into the sunset and the sun has just gone down. We didn't have any rain today. We had some threats and one large squall that we avoided. We had beans and franks for dinner. Everyone is just dandy and getting along fine. There is a lot of camaraderie and joking around. We are all wondering why we are out here sweating and bouncing around in the boat, but it's what we like to do!

June 12, 2019
From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX 6/12 - 16
6/12 cold front passage makes winds variable during the morning. winds becoming S 5 - 10 increasing to 10 - 15 overnight.
6/13 wind S 15 - 20 increased chance of showers and T-storms as coastal low and associated cold front moves offshore N and E of your course.
6/14 winds SW 15 - 20 in the morning becoming W and then NW 10 - 15 as high pressure moves over the Carolina coast. Winds will veer E as the high moves off the coast
6/15 winds E 10 - 15 becoming SW 5 - 10 as high pressure moves off Cape Hatteras. As high moves E winds will be more SW along your projected course.
6/16 winds SW 10 - 15 becoming 15 - 20 in the afternoon.

June 12, 2019 
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
0900 EDT; position: 33.33N, 70.21W
Motorsailing in 6-12SW winds on course toward waypoint S of Hatteras. Bright sun. Warm and humid. Overnight sailed in 10-12SW winds on course of 280M. All is well. Breakfast of gourmet omelets by Jonathan; galley cleanup was a challenge. Dinner last evening was beans and franks in very rolled seas left over from 20 knot winds of the day 

I'm sitting on top of the world right now! I'm in the companion way, the windscreen is up and we're sailing along in about 10-12 knots of wind and looking at a beautiful sunset. We have three sails up: the genoa, the staysail and a reefed main. We're cranking along at about 6-1/2 knots. It's cool with fresh, brisk air, which is especially nice after all of the hot and sticky weather this week. It's actually chilly out now with the cold front came through. When I was at the helm I needed a jacket on. It's just beautiful out here this evening in the middle of the ocean! 

We motored about half the day today because the winds were very light. About 4:00 this afternoon the winds started filling in and we're getting a nice steady 10-12 knots now. It looks like overnight, according to Bradley's forecast, it's supposed to be 10-15 knots. So we will just keep sailing along like this unless it gets too brisk. It's supposed to fill in tomorrow with a little heavier winds. 

We had a dinner of meatballs and pasta and in the middle of cooking dinner we needed to swap out the propane tank, so that just added some spice to the dinner preps. 

We are about 220 miles out from our waypoint which is just south of Hatteras by 20 miles or so, so we should make it there in another couple of days. We know that the gulf stream is going to be pushing us to the north east, so the idea is that we ride the gulf stream up and then pop out at a point near Cape Hatteras. Prior to that we will be in super deep water, like many thousands of feet deep and when we get out of the gulf stream we will come up onto the continental shelf into waters that are maybe 100 miles or so deep. If we pop out at that point, then we will come up the Virginia coast towards Norfolk. If we are not able to get out of the gulf stream at that point due to wind direction or current, and we are carried further north we might have to come into Norfolk from a different angle. 

We also had a couple of ship sightings today. We went through and did some paper and pencil plotting of the ship movements relative to our location to figure the closest point of approach, or the closest point that they pass us by. I discussed this technique in the Appendix D of the new Delmarva book. We were were to do this with real ships in real passing situations today and it worked out great. It was a good learning experience. 

All four of the students have been taking a lot of celestial shots on this trip. David has been great with helping them take shots and with the plotting and calculations.  

All in all, it's been a great day at sea.

June 13, 2019 
From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX 6/13 - 17
6/13 wind S 15 - 20 increased chance of showers. becoming SSW 18 - 22 in the afternoon.
6/14 winds early morning SW 15 - 20 becoming W 10 - 15 late morning, veering N 10 - 12 in the afternoon with high pressure moving off the Carolina coast. winds become NE 10 - 15 overnight as high moves farther E.
6/15 winds light and variable mostly NE to E 5 - 10 becoming SE 5 - 10 in the afternoon. winds continue to veer S overnight.
6/16 winds S 5 - 10 becoming SW 15 - 20 in the afternoon and evening.
6/17 winds SW 15 - 20 through the day.

June 13, 2019 
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
0830 EDT ; position 33.44N, 72.41W
Winds S15-25. Waves 6-8. Sailing 275M on single reefed mainsail and staysail. Conditions ok. Crew all good in rolling pitching conditions below deck. Coffee perked and drunk with some skill. Yogurt and apples for breakfast. 

The boys are in great form, telling stories and cracking jokes as they get smacked with waves in the cockpit, and laughing in great uproar as the other guy gets wet... Such is ocean sailing and sailors! Prior to that we will be in super deep water, like many thousands of feet deep and when we get out of the gulf stream we will come up onto the continental shelf into waters that are maybe 100 feet or so deep.

June 13, 2019
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
Strong winds today SW 20 to 25. Building seas 6 to 10 feet. Rough sledding. Passed through a strong rain squall, winds to gale force 35 knots for half hour; Ronald on helm did a fine job in driving rain. Winds continued strong all day, and expected to continue overnight per Bradley’s forecast. Crew doing well; tuna sandwiches for dinner. Should be entering Gulf Stream tomorrow.

June 14, 2019 
From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX 6/14 - 18
34.32N 74.1W 
6/14 winds W 10 - 15 veering N 10 - 15 late morning and afternoon. Eventually winds will veer E as high pressure moves to your E. Increased chance of showers before high pressure moves to your E.
6/15 winds E 5 - 10 becoming SE 5 - 10 in the afternoon, then S 5 - 10 overnight.
6/16 winds S 5 - 10 becoming S 10 - 15 in the afternoon.
6/17 winds SW 15 - 20 becoming SW 20 - 25 in the afternoon and evening.
6/18 winds SW 15 - 20 increased chance of showers and T-storms.

June 14, 2019 
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
We think that we are just now entering the main part of the gulf stream. We have seen a couple of degrees rise in the temperature and our course over ground is curving like it normally does when you enter the stream and start getting swept to the side. 

You can see now from the SPOT that we are traveling basically in a westerly direction toward what is our second waypoint. All of that maneuvering you see from today really had to do with the wind direction. It blew pretty hard for the last two days. Then last night the wind started going around to the west, then to the north west where it stayed for most of the night. It was pushing our course to the east and we could not get directly to where we wanted for our first waypoint. We then tried various things. We thought maybe we would motor to the Gulf Stream and get through it, but that was much too bouncy. And then we tried sailing on port tack but that was heading us in the wrong direction. Then we tried starboard tack and that is working out pretty well. You can see all of that experimentation on the SPOT track. 

It's like an October day out here this evening. We have sweatshirts and jackets on. But it's very beautiful with a clear sky and a beautiful sunset. It is just a gorgeous night and appreciated after the last two day where we had pretty rough conditions. 

There has been a lot more celestial shooting on this trip than I can remember on most trips. But of course all four students are going for ASA 108 so we had to get that work done as well. 

Right now we are motor-sailing in a westerly direction toward that waypoint. The wind is north east right now and we expect it to go east, and be light. We'll probably be motor-sailing for the rest of the way. We have about 150 miles to go. It will probably be Sunday before we get it.  

June 15, 2019
From: Bradley Mabe
Subject: WX 6/15 - 17
35.7N 75.1W
6/15 winds light and variable becoming S 5 - 10 late morning. becoming SSW 15 - 20 late afternoon.
6/16 winds SW 15 - 20
6/17 winds WSW 10 - 15
High pressure in control through this period, sunny skies and a return to more seasonable temperatures.

June 15, 2019 
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
0900... 3555N, 7510W
All is well. Bright sunny day. Pleasantly cold and clear last night with bright moon lighting the way. Gulf Stream crossed in early morning hours; crossed in less than six hours, which is less than my usual experience of 10 to 12 hours. Also current did not seem as strong as usual. Max temperature was 85.1F, about one degree less than we usually see. Sun rose brightly and warmed us quickly encouraging us to doff sweaters and pull on the T-Shirts. Breakfast of egg and cheese omelets by Chef David was delicious but finished off the last of our eggs. This crew are expert snackers, as they have finished off most of everything edible; we have some sandwich makings remaining for lunch and ingredients for dinner tonight. Expect to get in to Little Creek by morning.

June 15, 2019
From: Cheryl Baker
Will plan to bring some corn muffins from The County Grill for the hungry sailors

June 15, 2019 
Verbal report from Captain Tom Tursi by Sat phone:
We had a fantastically good trip up the Virginia coast to Norfolk once we exited from the Gulf Stream and got on to the continental shelf waters. Winds initially were SW 5-10 and we motored for a few hours until winds increased to 10 knots on our port side quarter when we deployed the whisker pole and sailed wing on wing with three sails right on our desired course line to Norfolk. The winds gradually increased to 20 knots from SW and we were roaring along like a freight train at speeds to 9 knots as the waves from astern increased to 4 to 6 feet and everyone was in high spirits with the exciting sail. What a terrific way to conclude an ocean passage!! 

A few miles south of Cape Henry we struck the whisker pole, Genoa and staysail, notified Virginia Pilots of our passage through the pilot area with our radar and electronic instruments performing perfectly for a safe arrival at our turning point to Little Creek. At 1:00 am we docked at Vinings Landing Marina, contacted US Customs about our arrival and all collapsed for a few hours sleep before a Customs officer arrived at 0630 to clear us in allowing crew members to depart and catch transportation home, but not before presenting Diplomas to these Salty Ocean Sailors.

Captain Tom Tursi
Norfolk, VA
Aboard S/V NAVIGATOR