This blog is being posted because we are Wx bound in Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama, Island.
December 9, 2011,
We departed our mooring at the Ft. Lauderdale Mooring Field @ 1148 hrs. The morning was filled with on and off showers. These continued throughout the day and we sailed across the Gulf Stream.
In order to compensate for the N'ly direction of the Gulf Stream we made our first tack down to the SE of the Bahamas. I was plotting our course and making adjustments to the tack to make sure we were holding a good course to get across the Stream. the wind was out of the ENE at 15-20 kts and gusting a little higher in the frequent rain squalls. I decided to put a double reef in the mainsail so that we wouldn't have to worry about shortening sail during the nighttime. Our jib has roller furling so this can be reefed down at any time. We continued across the Gulf Stream until we were a few miles off the Morant Cays and then changed course up to the North. Now we were sailing: tack after tack into the Northwest Passage. On the Western end of the Passage, the seas became confused and choppy but straightened out as we set a course for Freeport on Grand Bahama Island.
December 10, 2011
We continue to tack back and forth into the Northwest Passage. The wind and seas are steadily increasing and we continue to make 7.8 kts into 6-7' seas. The Valiant is sailing very well and requires very little attention with the auto-pilot doing the helming part. Throughout the night there are a lot of passenger vessels and tankers plying these waters. Fortunately, I have an AIS (automatic identification system) aboard which allows me to ascertain the name, SOG (speed over the ground), COG (course over the ground), CPA (closest point of approach), TCPA (time to the closest point of approach) and other info about the ship. In turn, he has all our info. If the CPA is very close, I call the ship and make passing arrangements. In open waters with lots of room, these ships are very good about giving a sailboat safe passing arrangements. In confined waters, the sailboat must keep out of the way. In any case, the sailboat must give way as necessity dictates. Years of experience at the helm of tug/barge combinations have made me very comfortable in sorting out these congested traffic situations. That doesn't imply that I'm not tense and alert or complacent in these conditions. Communication between vessels is the key to safely negotiating passing and over taking situations.
December 11, 2011
The wind and seas are increasing and we are now beating into an 8' seas with ENE'ly winds at 20+ kts. About 0100 hrs the conditions started to deteriorate even more, however, the Valiant under shortened sail was banging into the seas at 7+ kts and relatively dry on deck. While Phyllis and I were below, a particularly vicious wave hit us and threw Phyllis against the Stbd. side locker. She hit her head on the teak door and "saw stars". I was extremely concerned but upon examination found no open cuts on her head and only a small bump. In any event, it was enough to head into a Harbor of Refuge and recuperate. We were both exhausted from tacking and beating into the wind. Also, I wanted to be near a medical facility if there were any complications from the head injury. So were altered course and set up a new tack for Freeport Grand Bahama. The readers may note that now we are sailing - no motor has been used since we left Ft Lauderdale: tack after tack after tack is exhausting. Under these conditions, one becomes so tired that that you go into a "zombie" state and operate out of reflex actions.
After Phyllis hit her head, she stayed inside lying on the settee. She told me that she was a little nauseous which concerned me even more as she might have a slight concussion. I continued to tack to Freeport. I called the Freeport Harbor Control and asked where there might be a berth available for a sailing vessel. The operator informed me that Port Lucaya was about 6 nm to the East. Freeport is only an oil terminal for ships. There are no facilities for small craft. So I proceeded to the Port Lucaya Sea Buoy but, it was early morning and I couldn't raise anyone at the marina on the VHF. I decided to sail over to the West end of the island and find a lee there and hove to until conditions improved.
As we were making way towards the West of Freeport, I saw another yacht approaching so I hailed her on the VHF and made contact. She too, was trying to get hold of Port Lucaya. Then a yacht at Port Lucaya informed us that there were berths available at the marina and sufficient water depth. Life is getting better and off we go with the 1982 Morgan 41 "Liberty". We entered the jetties and immediately all becomes peaceful and quiet.
The Bahamas is a cruising paradise for American yachts. Since we had no intentions of stopping, I had no guides or detailed information on available ports. I had the electronic charts to enter any port just no detailed information. Any yacht entering a port in the Bahamas has to pay a "cruising permit" fee. For vessels under 35' it's $150 and over 35' ft $300. Since our stop was Wx bound and possible medical attention for Phyllis, I explained out situation to the Customs Officer and he gave us the reduced price for a 35 ft yacht: $150. We now have a "cruising permit" issued until the end of January.
December 12-13, 2011 Port Lucaya
Here we are in this beautifully quaint and charming port. Life is good but more expensive that we had anticipated on this leg of the journey. The wind is howling out of the ENE at 25-30 kts. The Morgan 41 left this morning for Bullock Harbor in the Berry Is: 54 nm on a beam reach with ENE winds. I was going to follow but decided to wait another 2 days until the wind moderates. I can see that the voyage to Panama is going to be windy and wet. After we get thru the Windward Passage, the winds should be on our stbd. quarter. This point of sailing will be more comfortable, however, the wind and seas will be strong. All for a life on the rolling blue sea!
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