July ? 2011

 

 

“Tenacity”, a 47’ ketch hailing from United State’s East coast, has entered the air mass known as the Azorean High, located near and around the Archipelago  Islands, the Azores. This air mass is known for its very light breezes and sunny skies.  Tenacity and her crew seem relatively unconcerned of their current  location. “Makes for nice sunning” says John Prehn, The Most Wonderful Crew Member.  Having had optimum sailing winds since leaving Bermuda earlier this month,  this air mass  brings slower progress towards the Azores, which is the next destination for Tenacity.

“We’ve had stiff breezes on the nose and then big winds behind us with huge following seas! As much fun as that was, it’s a bit nice not to be thrown  around so much down below. I may take this downtime and bake a cake!” says First Mate  and cook Cindy Fletcher Holden.

The Most Wonderful Captain Robert enjoyed employing an old sail called a “drifter” and was pleased to see it filling nicely in the light air.  “We’re up to 4 knots! and more”.  This also is a good time for the crew to go around the stable deck and inspect hardware. “we found major cracks in the triple sheave Harken Mainsheet block, and we were able to replace it  with the ease of working on a steady boat. “

Not knowing how long they will be enjoying the Azorean High, Tenacity’s crew will make the most of this time working on tans, catching up on reading,  misc. chores and of course, eating.

 

 In days of yore, Ocean going vessels were out of communication with their folks back on dry land. It’s been said to many a cruiser, “”you can’t spend any money while you’re at Sea!”.  Well those days  are gone with the advent of satellite e-mail!  Now one can get a request via e-mail to “authorize” a sum of money on a credit card, simply by e-mailing back and typing “OK”.  It’s in fact easier than going to Amazon.com and accidentally hitting “add to cart” for another pair of platform stiletto shoes. So not even the wide open sea is safe for the addicted spender!  Until the minutes on the sat phone run out, but then all you have to do is type “OK”, and more minutes will be billed to your credit card just like that!

 

Investigation remains opened in the mysterious turning off the  refrigerator compressor.   Considered “persons of interest”, Dabola and Perkins, both cats who live aboard Tenacity, and suspects in the potential loss of precious food, have been takne into custody and are being questioned.   “These cats have clear motive, as they are counting their days in captivity, and cold food is of no interest to them”. What makes this case even more intriguing is the cats know exactly to the minute how long they have been held, and the crew barely know what month it is, let alone day of the a week, or how many days they’ve been out here.

 

Sam Squid, of unknown address, died unexpectedly early one morning when attempting to , we’re not sure what he was attempting, but he landing with a thud in the cockpit of Tenacity, and died on impact.

Survivors are not known

 

Frank Flying Fish of unknown address died of complications following a missed attempt to fly over a 47 ketch In the Middle Of The Ocean.  He most likely survived the fall and died due to dehydration. His body was found the morning after. “He was doing what he loved” said his daughter Freida.