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Rowtec Support vessel "Desiderata"
Carl Theakston Mark Terry
Mon 8 Jun 2009 14:04
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Well a testing few days have passed with all sorts
of weather thrown at us. Due to our current position and route we have been
forced to take (following the rowing boats) we are now positioned in the middle
of the Indian Ocean high pressure system and therefore encountering variable
winds and frequent squalls with showers so heavy they flatten the sea
completely. Our weather routing information constantly shows low pressure
systems to the south of us with strong winds and high wave heights but they are
unable to get above 30 degrees south due to the high pressure system we are
sitting in. We hope to put more northing in our course soon and benefit from the
trade winds with their constant 15-20 kts of breeze from the south east and west
flowing current. Recently we have supplied the Flying Ferkins team with a
replacement tracking beacon and provided the lads on Southern Cross with a good
morale boosting visit, both teams looked in good spirits and had a healthy glow
for their now fifty day plus adventure. We have now been dispatched to a boat
roughly 140 miles to our northeast and therefore new the wind would be blowing
from about 60 degrees as the law of sod dictates, for any direction we need
to sail in is invariably dead upwind or dead downwind. so are currently making
the best course possible. Desiderata is looking fantastic as she has had a
spring clean below decks and constant squalls have taken the encrusted salt and
dull pallour of a long journey from her topsides and deck. Mark and Vincent have
busied themselves with sail repairs and rig tuning and Brenners has done a
fantastic job on the Bumpkin. She will need a good scrub below the waterline at
the next opportunity and some more fine adjustments to her rig layout but is
proving herself to be a pleasure to sail in almost any conditions. Mauritius is
still a distant 1800 miles and our thoughts cannot help but wonder what awaits
us there (beer hopefully) but for now we are content to keep a watchful eye on
our charges and make the most of a very agreeable situation.
Forza !
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