33:01.2N 064:09.7W Midday Fix 18 May 2010 Bye Bye Bermuda

Oboe D'Amore's Web Diary
Nigel Backwith
Tue 18 May 2010 14:07
Midday 18 May 2010 (UTC/GMT) Fix for Oboe D’Amore – Transatlantic W to E
2010

View our progress on Google Earth at: http://blog.mailasail.com/oboe


GPS Position: 33:01.2N 064:09.7W

Sea Miles (previous 12 Hours): 53nMs

Sea Miles to date: 1,080nMs

Present Course Over Ground: 041°M

Present Boat Speed 6.3kts

Average Boat Speed (previous 12 hours): 4.3kts

Average Boat Speed to date: 6.1kts

***Velocity Made Good (VMG) to date: 5.5kts ***

Estimated GPS Position in 24 hours time: 33:54N 062:50W

Sea State: Calm

Wind Speed and Direction: 12kts ESE

Barometric Pressure: 1014mB

(VMG - An accurate measure of the average velocity achieved to date along
our chosen rhumb line from Antigua to Dartmouth, UK)


Despite the initial disappointment of the decision to call in at Bermuda, it
turned out to be an enjoyable and successful visit. We left at dusk
yesterday, being Monday evening, having achieved "the impossible". Most of
this thanks to Rob's engineering prowess and a bit to Nigel's tenacity on
the phone with welders and marine engineers. By 1600hrs, after 2 taxi
journeys, 2 two mile walks and 4 hours of Rob crouched uncomfortably in the
depths of the stern locker, we had a fully functioning generator back in
commission.

Now, on the high seas again, with a crew of 5, it is 1050hrs local time
Tuesday. We are still less than 100nMs northeast of Bermuda, after a still
night and we wait in anticipation for the wind shift that will allow us to
turn east and head for home. This will come we are sure in the next 24
hours, as we are now bang on the great circle route used for centuries by
the old square riggers and merchantmen.

Knightime, with my friend Mike at the helm, slipped away several hours
before us yesterday and the ARC Europe fleet leaves Bermuda tomorrow mid
morning. It is comforting to know that we will be surrounded by a flotilla
of small boats as we head for Horta in the Azores even if we seldom catch a
glimpse of them.



Nigel

Date: 14 May 2010