[PUP] Summer Skis 06/01/07: Three hundred miles to go to Bermuda

[Georgs Kolesnikovs]

Date: 01 June 2007
Time 1200
Position
31.05.50 N
70.51.97 WE
Distance covered from the dock at Coral Ridge Y.C.
668
Distance traveled last 24 hours; 148 NM
Approximate distance to go: 314 NM

The weather continues to be in our favour. Wind in the 10-15 knot 
range and seas 1-3' with a swell of 3-4'. All of these items are 
coming from the East and there is some "pitching" that is somewhat 
uncomfortable but very manageable.
Salt Dawg The Fishing Machine continues to out do every one with 
their fishing prowess. They hooked a 6' Marlin this morning and 
released it because it did not have any food value. Lowie, Dave 
Bock's wife has told her husband - "No more fishing until we get to 
Bermuda and we have the fish dinner for all the Med Bound 
participants." Other wise I start throwing away or regular frozen 
foods."
We are getting close to Bermuda and we are down to less than 48 hours 
to our first Bermuda way point. Based on our current estimates we be 
off Gibbs Hill Light at 0544 Sunday morning. This will put us at the 
Royal Bermuda Y.C. around noon on Sunday. This will work out just 
fine as there is a good chance that the weather will begin to 
deteriorate late Sunday and into Monday. We are all getting quite 
ready to see Bermuda on Sunday morning.
We are starting to see some significant shipping. One large container 
ship, one large tanker, and last night Pete encountered a large cargo 
ship. Two were headed to South America and one to Houston.
Automatic Identification System (AIS) is invaluable out here. I 
believe I explained this last year but here goes again.
It is a system that ALL ships engaged in commercial activity that ply 
international waters MUST have. Pleasure boats such as Summer Skis 
and all but two of the Med Bound boats have this system. For pleasure 
boats it is strictly a voluntary piece of equipment. It allows those 
with AIS to communicate their position, speed, bearing, name, 
destination and type of boat. It is essential when transiting the 
open waters of the ocean to be seen and able to communicate with 
them. We also use the AIS when operating in coastal waters to keep 
track of tugs and barges as well as coastal commercial ships.
If anyone is contemplating an offshore passage of any magnitude AIS 
should be considered.
In Bermuda we have scheduled two organized social events. A welcome 
BBQ on Monday Night and a sit down departure dinner on Thursday. 
Otherwise the Med Bound participants are on their own to enjoy 
Bermuda.
The departure from Bermuda of the Newport boats as of today is 
currently planned for the time period of June 9-11 depending on 
weather. Those headed to the Med will be leaving around the 15th.
This trip is taking a bit longer than last year because we ran up the 
coast of Florida for nearly 200 miles in order to "ride the stream."
As we near Bermuda everyone is getting excited and all the 
"chit-chat" as well as "chick-chat" (I did not make up that term) is 
toward activities, shopping, eating and of course the nearest Pub. 
Tomorrow night will see our last meal to be cooked underway until we 
leave. Pat has done an admirable job of food preparation and her 
presence has been a great help. Both standing watches as well as in 
the galley. She will be leaving us on Thursday and her presence will 
be missed.
On Thursday our other crew member Dave Balfour of PAE/Nordhavn 
Portsmouth RI will join us for the return. Dave & I have known each 
other for a number of years and his experience on Nordhavn's is 
extensive. I am sure he will be  good crew member. His cooking 
prowess will not come close to Pat's or Marge's.
The crew of Summer Skis wishes you well.
Jim, Pete, & Pat
Summer Skis
Norhdavn 43