All posts in February, 2014

The wind at the Horn is fickle to say the least; one minute a near gale, the next sails flogging from lack of any breeze.  Late this evening Andrew was about 25 nm from the Horn, and the slapping of the sails could be heard over the Satellite phone.  I was able to counter his frustration at lack of movement by telling him he had been proposed as Chair of the Althing debating society tonight, at the meeting in Tingwall.  He certainly had not expected me to bring that news, but was pleased, whilst concerned that Florence was stepping down.  He had a good chuckle at the thought that he had been elected whilst experiencing the wilds of the South Atlantic, nearing Cape Horn and we were all cozily anticipating the nights debate, fresh bannocks and home bakes.

At 1530 today Andrew  continued his journey with a barnacle clean bottom.  He is really pleased to be underway again and feels like he is going faster already, which is a real lift to his spirits.  It makes a big difference knowing the hull is clean. He says he will not really begin to relax until he is at least 30° S and into the Trade winds, so fingers crossed for the next few days.  Andrew chuckled when I reminded him this was his third time round the Horn within two weeks – that surely is some kind of record in itself!

Andrew was relaxing on Elsi’s deck in warm sunshine this evening whilst telling me how he is making headway in his battle against the GB (goose barnacle).

With his heart in his mouth this morning he managed on the second or third attempt, to drive Elsi onto the beach -east coast of Isla Lennox- secure an anchor and then wait for the tide to drop.  The soft gravel of the beach meant Elsi snuggled easily into the shore; so the keel was not easy to reach.  Even so  Andrew managed to clean her starboard side completely before she began to re-float, which was a huge achievement.  His sunny snack-time was enforced relaxation whilst he waited for the next tide change and before he puts into play his plan for making sure Elsi exposes her Port side next.  He will be clearing the barnacles from her port side at about midnight our time, 8.00pm where he is; it will be dark when he is doing most of the work, but he has the help of a head torch and nearly full moon.

On trips such as the one Andrew and Elsi are on, it is perfectly allowable to do such unassisted essential maintenance.  Andrew believes relieving Elsi of her hull growth will gain him an extra knot per hour in speed; this is quite a significant increase for a slow boat such as Elsi – every little bit helps.

I still couldn’t convince Andrew to try a little barnacle tapas, they are not his favorite beast at the moment.  I did reminded him however, they certainly were instrumental in saving his life on his last attempt.  If Elsi’s hull had not been so grown up with them, he would have been well into the Pacific when his appendix burst, far far away from help and passing ships.

Andrew arrived at Calatta Lennox, an anchorage on the East side of Isla Lennox at 10 to 3 his time (10 to 7 GMT).

He said, bizarrely as he was coming into the lee of the island, the wind dropped completely away.  Having battled against  gale force 8, 9 and almost 10 with spin-drift just  lifting of the sea, no wind was almost laughable.  The cockpit of Elsi had filled with water many times during the 36 hour stint back to the Beagle Channel.

Andrew is now anchored out of the gales, hopefully avoiding a severe Westerly which is building up and will be in force by midnight tonight.  He knew he couldn’t stay West of the Horn and so the most seaman-like decision was the one he made, to anchor at Isla Lennox.

As we were speaking on the phone, the Coastguard were on the VHF radio wanting to know his onward route; I could hear Andrew saying, “Cape Horn, The Pacific, Torres Straights, Indian Ocean, Cape of Good Hope, Atlantic, Falmouth!”  Simple and quick to say……

Well over 70 messages have been received for Andrew over the last 2 days.  All saying  “Well Done” and “Good Luck”  and from all reaches of the globe.  Thank you to everyone who is following and supporting Andrew.

There are strengthening Westerlies coming in, which is why Andrew has reefed sails right down and why he and Elsi are drifting back towards the Horn.  Andrew has to keep himself and Elsi as safe as possible and so is looking at the best options for the coming 48 hours.  Forecasts change not daily but hourly, which is why he is keeping in touch, via Sat phone, to take account of these subtle but important alterations in the weather.  We have to wait and see what Andrew decides to do; its not easy to  second guess decisions made in the midst of  gales and raging seas at Cape Horn.

Andrew reports that today was very fine days sailing, but as the evening approaches the wind is rising to  a Force 7.  Elsi and Andrew have been making a south westerly course and tonight, are close to the islands of Diego Ramirez (56° 40’S  69° W).  They are now south west of the Horn by about 70 miles.  There are strong winds due from the West on Monday and the winds are entirely uninterrupted by land for hundreds of miles, thus they may arrive more fiercely than anticipated in the forecasts.  Andrew is considering his options at the moment and is very concerned he does not drift back towards the Horn,  he also needs to ensure he does not risk drifting onto a lee shore.

Well, I just went round the Horn with Andrew and Elsi!  He phoned me at 1913 our time, 1313 his; and at 15 minutes past 7 we moved from the Atlantic into the Pacific, the Horn just 9 miles North of Elsi.  Conditions have been really favorable all day with a East Nor-easterly force 5 coming on 6 as they moved from East to West.  As you can imagine, Andrew is delighted never imagining Elsi would be round the Horn.  He went below to pour a dram (as did I and our respective families!), and tipped a tot and raised our glasses to sailors past and present who have been through these exciting, turbulent waters.  A big day for Andrew and Elsi – Well Done!

Andrew came on the phone this evening  exclaiming he has had a very exciting days sailing!  He and Elsi have been getting slowly closer to Cape Horn with still somewhat variable winds until this afternoon.  He said the welcome Southerly winds this afternoon,  drove Elsi as hard as she has ever sailed.  Andrew chose to keep her sails up and take full advantage of the welcome wind direction.