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Published: November 29th 2006
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The crossing from Charleston SC to Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos
Friday Nov 24th, Saturday Nov 25th, Sunday Nov 26th, Monday Nov 27th & Tuesday Nov 28th
Day One:
With Annie and our replacement crew and fresh supplies all on board, we dropped our dock lines and sailed away from Charleston South Carolina at 11:30am on Friday Nov 24th. Exiting the harbor entrance will all sails hoisted and setting to sea by just after lunch. With the first obstacle before us, being the Gulf Stream, some 50 nautical miles to our east, and to arrive at the GS by just after midnight. By late evening, we had a delighted visit by a dozen dolphins that danced before our bow wake for a half hour or so, always a beautiful sight to see these beautiful mammals in their environment. Just after midnight, as planned, we were in the Gulf Stream, keeping watch on our instruments seeing sea water temperatures rise and the waves start to build. During the70 nautical mile GS crossing, the non-forecasted high winds started to build and built, to the point of 30 to 35 knots, with gusts to 45 knots from the NE, not a
good thing when you are in the Gulf Stream. We were lucky that we left Charleston when we did, as by the time we reached the GS’s east wall, things were starting to get nasty. Once out of the GS, things all went back to the given marine forecast and the seas calmed down, making things a lot more comfortable.
The watches were set up in the following manner; from 6am to 6pm the watches were 3 hours each, and from 6pm to 6am the watches were 2 and a half hours. We rotate each crew member on board, having a scheduled watch. During each watch the helmsman is to keep a sharp lookout for traffic, weather changes, ensure that we are on course, and that everything is safe a sound, as for the rest of the crew, including the captain are to get some needed rest. So for those of you that thought that we dropped anchor at night…..we don’t, we can’t since the ocean is way too deep, so we sail non-stop 24 hours a day.
End result for day one was a blistering 275 nautical miles, avg 11 knots with a highest speed surf ever
Seas
Here is a look at our crossing, during calmer weather recorded on My Love III of 19.2 knots..
Day Two:
What a beautiful sunrise to wake to. Today the seas have formed in to a long swell of 4 to 10 feet, making the ride a much more comfortable one. The sun is once again shinning and the temperature has risen, allowing us to once again wear short sleeve shirts and short pants. It’s summer again finally, we are back in blue water and smiles are on everyone’s faces.
End result for day two was 249 nautical miles, avg 10 knot with NE winds of 15 to 30 knots and sea of 3 to 11 feet.
Day Three:
Today the weather has picked up more, but luckily the North East winds are still blowing so we remain on a beam reach keep us at maximum speed. The seas are rougher but s/v My Love III takes them well as she is a true blue water boat.
End result for day three was 268 nautical miles, 11 knot avg.
Day Four:
After slowing down with a reef in the main sail, staysail up and with the genois stowed, we are closing in on the city of
Providenciales’s barrier reef
Providenciales’s barrier reef, waiting for the pilot boat Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos. We have slowed down since Providenciales is surrounded by coral reefs, and the entrance to the Turtle Cove Marina, is a tricky one since you have to go behind a small barrier reef to get to the harbor entrance. You must be guided in by a local pilot boat in order to avoid being stranded (or worse), which is exactly what we did.
We arrived at the Turtle Cove Marina and were safely secured by 9:am.
We will stay here for the duration that the next storm passes, for a few days. After which, we will set sail for Hispaniola in the West Indies.
I want to give special thanks to our great friends/ marine weather pros Nycole, André & Jean Yves for all the hard work they have put in for us. It was not easy for them to delay us, but the in end, this great weather window opened and we had an amazing sail because of it. It’s great to know that you have guardian angels watching over your every move, even if they are stuck in cold weather!! We love you guys and could never do these
Pilot Boat
Here is our pilot boat guiding us though the barrier reef and around all the coral heads to the entrance of the harbor. crossings (and never would) without your help.
For those who haven’t been following our route, you can do so by visiting
www.WeBeSailing.com and clicking on “Locate Us”. You can see the route we have taken (mapped to google earth) and follow us throughout our adventures this winter.
Cheers!
Eric, Annie, Christiane & Benoit
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Fay Robinson
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Fair-weather crossing
So glad that you all arrived safe and sound after your crossing. It hardly seems possible that you have travelled all that way after such a short time. Sunsets are wonderful. Would have liked to have seen some of those large waves (albeit from the safe distance of my computer)!! I love your writing Eric. You will have to keep all your daily diaries and publish as it is such interesting reading. "Tales of a Young Mariner" as opposed to the "Ancient Mariner" maybe!!! Love to you all. I'm sure you are glad to have Annie there but I MISS her xxxxx Fay