Arrival at Ocean World Marina - DR

Moorglade's Voyage
Ted Wilson
Wed 22 Feb 2012 03:25
 

 
Our position is 19:49.686N 70:43.815W     
 
We departed Puerto Rico on Saturday 18th Feb at 10:30 for a 220Nm passage to DR, a two day (46-hour) crossing. Although the weather forecast was reasonably benign, we prepared well for the passage, ensuring we had a full tank of diesel, water and food supplies. We had our watch patterns planned as 2-hours on and 4-hours off, which worked well, giving us all chance to get some sleep through the night.
 
The night watch was a hell of an experience for Mike and I, indeed quite scary for the inexperience sailor, especially if you encounter other traffic that may be heading in your direction. The obvious difficulty at night is that you can't easily identify vessel size, distance, course and direction, but with the right instrumentation, measuring techniques and identification of navigation lights you can quickly determine if a risk of collision exists. We needed to motor for a few hours during the passage, but on the whole we were able to sail, which is a great feeling. The only noise is the water passing the ships hull and the auto-helm trimming the yachts course. We also had a go at wind vane steering, which worked really well at winds above 10 knots. 
      
It may not seem much to the seasoned yachty, but two days at sea seemed a long time, and Mike and I were only too happy to approach our destination 'Ocean World Marina', just past the well known holiday resort Puerto Plata. Prior to arrival at the Marina Ted hoisted the yellow 'Q' flag to signal that the crew needed immigration clearance. Apparently this can be a little disconcerting at times, especially if the immigration authority want to inspect the boat. As it happened the process was pretty slick.
 
You will see from the photographs that the coastline near the Marina was extensively beach, with several all-inclusive hotels mainly occupied by North Americans and Canadians, all enjoying some winter sun. We all enjoyed walking the beaches and sampling some of the local seafood bars as can be seen on the photographs below.      
 
 
Mike completing his 2-hour watch and writing ships log                                          Dave on watch - by the way the auto-helm was actually steering
 
   
 
 
No land in sight - better ensure position, course and speed is recorded..
After all electronics can go wrong...and don't I know it.
 
  
 
Yes we are still on the boat - Ted was probably making dinner,
you should realise its a surprisingly difficult task with the
rocking and rolling of the boat.                                                 Skipper Ted at the helm...come up for air and nice cuppa
 
  
 
 
Mike on night watch - a new and pretty scary experience          The blinding flash didn't help my night vision
The clear night exposed a beautiful star filled sky...sorry couldn't really capture it on camera 
 
  
 
 
Sunset at sea - best time of the day                                                                     Preparing to arrive at DR after a 23-hour passage - what an amazing experience
                                                                                                                         but ready for a very wet shower                                                             
 
  
 
 
View of Ocean World Marina, arriving at 0800 on Monday 21st Feb                         Getting prepared for Marina mooring - fenders out, warps ready and instruction
                                                                                                                         understood.....hopefully.
 
  
 
 
All inclusive hotel next to Marina - a nice beachfront and lots of Americans              A nice little local bar on beachfront - unfortunately empty because
and Canadians                                                                                                   all other tourists were all-inclusive..superb seafood  
                                                                                                                                          
 
   
 
 
Explorer Mike has found yet another beach - its a good thing I'm with him               Shallow reefs only about a foot deep - strange as the reefs are hollow so its actually
to take the pictures                                                                                             much deeper that it would appear
 
  
 
 
We will definitely be returning to DR, so Lisa, Vanessa and kids get ready!              Dave's looking a little smug with himself... 
 
  
 
 
View from little local bar above...nothing all inclusive about this
Buy your red snapper and lobster from local fishermen