Passage Logs
Andy Schell
ICEBEAR Offshore // "Iceberg, right ahead!"

Seeing the ice in clear skies was a hell of a reward for the heavy weather yesterday. Thus far we’ve stopped to admire two big bergs from close range, bringing in ICEBEAR under power (the wind, after all that fuss, shut down completely around 1200 noon as we rounded Cape Race) to within a hundred yards or so. I put the drone up to get a bird’s eye view, and the crew stopped to admire the beauty of nature’s most striking sculpture. Both bergs we stopped for had at some point in their decay rolled, for the tops of them were pure white and smooth as marble, highlighted in spots by deep turquoise cracks where they’d broken apart and re-frozen during their lifespan.

ICEBEAR Offshore // "Iceberg, right ahead!"
Andy Schell
Video of Wilson the Minke Whale

This has been all over my Facebook page the past couple of days, thanks to Kevin King, who crewed with us and took the footage. When the whale first approached, we were in awe, and just enjoyed his company. Kevin wanted to film right away, but I kind of discouraged him - if you're always behind the camera, you can't appreciate what's right in front of you. But the whale kept coming back! I was afraid jamming the camera down in the water might scare him off (he thinking it might be a harpoon!), but eventually we gave it a go. I think it was worth it! 

Video of Wilson the Minke Whale
Andy Schell
One Day in St. Croix

This was written yesterday, posted today (Monday). Photos below.

We arrived into St. Croix yesterday afternoon after what I think was probably the easiest passage I’ve ever done. We sailed on starboard tack the whole way, broad reaching in anywhere from 8-25 knots, and only motoring for one hour, through a pretty calm spot when the sails were banging around and we had to roll up the jib.

One Day in St. Croix
Andy Schell
USCG Issues Marine Alert in Wake of Salty Dawg ...

I will have WAY more to say about this in due time, but wanted to post it immediately. Thanks to Dave for sharing - you know who you are. Might we have finally reached a tipping point when it comes to taking offshore sailing seriously, instead of a ride to warmer weather?

USCG Issues Marine Alert in Wake of Salty Dawg Rally rescues
Andy Schell
Simplicity v. Technology on the Ocean Sailing ...

I just had an interesting email exchange with a friend whose in the (years-long) process of outfitting his boat for extended ocean cruising. The boat is similar to Arcturus, and we have similar ideas about things, and somehow got in touch a few years back. Anyway, we've had several of these types of exchanges. I won't say who it is out of respect for his privacy, but I want to publish my response to his latest email about rigging, sails and engines. I'll preface each section with what I'm about to discuss, but won't include anything specific that he's emailed me. What's your take?

Simplicity v. Technology on the Ocean Sailing Boat

Carib1500 2014

Avanti & Corsair Take Top Honors at the 25th ARC Caribbean 1500 Prizegiving

Avanti & Corsair Take Top Honors at the 25th ARC Caribbean 1500 Prizegiving

Despite several boats still at sea when the awards got underway, it was a very festive atmosphere on the beachside deck at Nanny Cay Marina. Crews that had been sweaty and salty for nearly two weeks at sea showed up in their shoreside best, with matching crew shirts and tropical island colors. After the crowd gathered round the bar for a quick beer or rum punch, the awards got going in earnest just before 5pm, as the sun was disappearing behind the hillsides in the west, offering up a much needed respite from the brutal afternoon heat.

Lest We Forget: The Carib 1500 Crews Who Won't Make it to Tortola This Year

Lest We Forget: The Carib 1500 Crews Who Won't Make it to Tortola This Year

Despite what I sometimes think of as the ‘propaganda’ that we post in the news and features during the 1500 (and I’m myself responsible for producing it), I feel we ought to focus at least occasionally on some of the more unfortunate realities of ocean sailing. Namely, not everyone is, or will be, partying in the Virgin Islands when this thing is all said and done.

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Yellowshirts in the (rainy) Caribbean / First ARC Bahamas boats make landfall

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Yellowshirts in the (rainy) Caribbean / First ARC Bahamas boats make landfall

After a brief respite back in Amish Country, where the Rally Control team was based after the Portsmouth pre-departure program, we’re back on the road and back in the islands. Unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly the warm Caribbean welcome we’d grown accustomed to over the past couple years.

Day 4 at sea: Carib1500 fleet gets their sea legs

Day 4 at sea: Carib1500 fleet gets their sea legs

It's been mostly uneventful in the first few days of the Caribbean 1500 - exactly the way you want your ocean passages to go. But not entirely uneventful. An injured hand on Euro Trash Girl and engine trouble on Heart's Desire are the two big stories as the 1500 fleet heads farther offshore. Otherwise, the wind is calm and the fish are on!

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Tips for Crewing Offshore

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Tips for Crewing Offshore

Lee Cumberland, crew member aboard the catamaran 'Tandem II' in the 2014 Caribbean 1500 rally, write about what he's learned over the past year sailing on offshore deliveries. How to pack, where to sleep, how to act and what to do if you're new to the offshore sailing game. Lee sailed with Andy last spring on a few deliveries to and from New England.

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Offshore safety tips from a former USCG Rescue Swimmer: Quick Takeaways from the Mario Vittone Seminar at the Carib1500

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Offshore safety tips from a former USCG Rescue Swimmer: Quick Takeaways from the Mario Vittone Seminar at the Carib1500

“Every incident offshore could have been prevented before they ever left the dock. It’s all about preparation. Even in bad weather, it’s the preparation that will determine the outcome.”

-Mario Vittone

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Tick, tick, tick: Time is running out until the start of the 25th Carib1500

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Tick, tick, tick: Time is running out until the start of the 25th Carib1500

So what goes on during the hectic week leading up to the start of a long offshore voyage? Lyall Burgess and Pete Burch have been focusing on completing the safety inspections as efficiently as possible for those boats that have arrived early. This got off to a great start on Saturday, with Lone Star, the veteran ARC Rally participant, having the honor of the first safety check to get completed on the first try. Photo shows the crews of Tom Tom and Oblivion at Skipjack Nautical Wares for last night's happy hour.