Well, here we go again, another new year. First the local news for those that may have been or still are away our old friend and shipmate Jack Christoffersen took a turn for the worse a couple of days ago and had to be placed on a ventilator in ICU. Latest news is that he has made a small recovery and is conscious and perhaps out of danger.
The Kerrigan/Finch/Taylor extended family celebrations went off without a hitch almost. The adventure to see the spectacular fireworks worked so well (we anchored off Shellcove bay) that I now wonder why I haven't done it like that before. By far the most relaxing time I've had on the water at New Year's celebrations to date. Oh! and the fireworks were dazzling...
The good ship Drina continues to forge on towards Puerto Montt, albeit at a more sedate pace. They are having trouble with their ship track reports since New Year's eve and so are not showing up on the tracking maps at the moment. Not to worry though all's well on board otherwise. Here are a few snippets from recent position reports.
Position at 2010-12-30, 1940hrs UTC they had 815 miles to go, 43°14'S 92°16'W, COG 110°T SOG 6.5kts, clear blue sky, wind SW at 15kts. Noon to Noon 155 Miles.
During the night they managed a radio schedule with Jeanne Socrates the girl on Nereida, the first real (voice) conversation since they passed the NZ ship bound for PNG about 12 days ago. They now have a regular schedule going and it provides one more thing to fill in the day or rather night.
Overnight on the 31st the wind died so they spent a noisy night with the sails slapping and banging in the swell. They had another go at talking to Nereida without success... Seems the new HF radio is a little more complicated than the old iCom. As this one can be interfaced and controlled via the laptop computer. So the rest of the day was spent doing what I would have suggested, reading the instruction manual! Before the Champagne was broken out...
Position at 2010-12-31, 2020hrs UTC they had 680 miles to go, 43°17'S 89°25'W, COG 65°T, SOG 4.5kts. Noon to Noon was 133 miles.
The following day was "one of the calmest, around 12kts of breeze from the NE. Very clear visibility and flat seas on a long westerly swell."
They finished reading the Icom manual as Alex reported having a long and interesting conversation with Jeanne overnight! Michael had 3 cans of beer (XXXX) in thirty hours to celebrate the new year! (I've warned him of the evils of the demon drink many times... to no avail it seems.)
After nearly 34 days at sea he seems have finally mastered the weather fax and reports receiving some Sat' cloud maps and a picture of the ice edge.
Position at 2011-01-02, 2245hrs UTC, 418 miles to go, 42°34'S 83°17'W, COG 82°T, SOG 6.5kts, barometer 1010 falling. Noon to Noon was 138 miles.
At report time he said that some deep clouds were marching up from the SW and expects a bit of a blow for the rest of the day.
That's all from me for now PK
Paul Kerrigan
Strewth: Jan 2010
Bathurst Harbour
Check Drina's latest position, click the link below.
http://shiptrak.org/?callsign=vj5319&filter=90My posts: 
Paul Kerrigan
Strewth: Jan 2010
Bathurst Harbour
Check Drina's latest position, click the link below.
http://shiptrak.org/?callsign=vj5319&filter=90
