Winds on the nose and a current against us for the last few days has made for pretty painful progress, we're only just getting close to Kiritimati (Christmas) Island now. All going to plan we should be around and clear by the morning, it'll be a relief to have a bit of sea room and to be making progress south again.
Kiritimati Island sounds pretty interesting so I've added it to the list places to stop off at next time! Apparently it's the world's largest atoll and thanks to a few random changes in direction by the date line its also the worlds eastern most country. From what I've read it sounds pretty picture perfect with white sandy beaches and coral lagoons but don't worry I'm not too tempted to stop, in fact I'll be lucky if I can even see a distant glow of lights as I pass by tonight. Oh and its said to be a good spot for fishing!
We passed a boat (three actually!) for the first time in over a week yesterday, they were big fishing boats but didn't appear to speak English. I also got a bit of a fright yesterday, I was sitting down below at the nav station and heard the horrible nose of something rubbing down the hull, I
climbed outside in time to see a big brown buoy caught up in the windvane, luckily it freed itself before I could do anything and there wasn't any damage. I spotted a few more buoys during the day but have no idea what exactly they are and what they're doing just bobbing about out here?
Plenty of clear and starry nights lately and I've been seeing plenty of them because even thought it seems to have cooled down a little lately it's still much easier to get anything done after the sunsets. I was a little jealous to hear that everyone back home was heading out to the movies last night so I had my own movie night watching a DVD on my Toughbook and making up some
popcorn!
Still plenty of tropical sailing to go yet but I'm already thinking more and more about the south and Cape Horn.
That's going to have to be it from me because its time to go tack over again, fingers crossed this should be the last one to get us round the island!
Jesse
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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248 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 248 of 248Hiiiiii Jesse!!! Been following your progress from Atlanta, GA... just wanted to say hey and wish you luck and let you know so many people are thinking about you! Have a good night! :)
Hi Jess
Love reading your blog ... you go girl and show all the doubters!!
Lesley
Hi Ho Jess;
When you said you are getting close to Christmas Island, I was thing what the. How can she be that close to home, Ha ha. I didn't know there was 2 Christmas Islands. The other one being in the Indian ocean off the western coast of Australia.
When you seen those big fishing boats you should have asked them to through you a couple of fish ☺ ☺
Those buoys you seen could be crab traps. Another missed opportunity for a free fish. ha ha. I am sure you will get a fish before you get back home. Jess you are starting to leave quite the tail on Google Map.
Sail on Jess.♥ ♥ ♥
& now SOUTH! Go Jesse go!
Paul.
Hi Captain Watson; A great achievment crossing the Equater. Yes, you had me with that tangled line story. A bigger story is that you managed to sail all those miles without catching a fish. Now that is one for the record books! I have now as my desktop picture, EPL ploughing through some not so calm seas. My favorite. Fare well Jessica.
Alfred Vancouver, Canada
Hi Jess,
I too read your blog and look forward to it every day and update my family. You keep up the good work, and no worries about those pirates. You are in God's hands and there's no force strong enough to battle the prayer of the thousands who are following your journey. We are all praying for your safety.You are an amazing woman - keep up your spirit and the great work!
Janet in Cincinnati
Hi Jess my last message did not get through I just wanted to congratulate u on passing the equater also look after u health out there put plenty of sun screen on u do not what to get cancer anyway that's all for now GOD bless u from Barry Watsonia Victoria
I just stumbled across your blog today. You're living my dream. Good to have you in the Northern Hemisphere for a bit. I'll bet you're glad to be heading south again, though.
Scott, Denver, Colorado, USA
Dear Jessica,
May I add my congratulations to your crossing of the equator. It must have been a wonderful feeling to have achieved that part of your voyage.
I certainly recall my first crossing from North to South when I travelled from Amsterdam to Sydney.
I came via the Panama Canal, Tahiti and New Zealand. I returned to Europe via the Suez Canal just so I could say that I circumnavigated the Earth by ship BUT I certainly was not alone.
I was on a large cruise ship and I also enjoyed the crossing of the line that could be seen on the Port side of the ship if the captain could be believed. A lot of passengers rushed to the port side to have a look only to be told that half of them should move back as the ship would capsize with all the extra weight on the Port side.
King Neptune came aboard with his many helpers and all those 'first-timers' got an intiation that will never be forgotten. We were soaped-up from top-to bottom and then tossed into the swimming pool.
All the young ladies pretended that they did not enjoy it but the smiles on their faces indicated otherwise.
I have crossed the equator many times since then but always by air. No mention of the actual crossing of the line is ever mentioned on an aircraft although it is clearly shown on the video monitors aboard airliners.
Enough of my rambling.
Now that you have reached the Kiritimati Island and facing the 2nd leg of your journey, may I wish you all the very best, fair weather and safe travels.
As a special request, would it be possible for you to add the Latitudes and Longitudes as per your GPS whenever you sign off?
Maybe you could add it after your name??
It would be much appreciated and I can track your fantastic voyage on my maps.
Kindest Regards from a 70 year old Grand-dad, Bert
wow is all I can say! I am excited to be following your blog. You go girl!
Hi, Jessica,
Wow, I learned at least two things from today's blog. In addition to all the other benefits, following your voyage is also educational.
Your tracker map labels the island you just went around as Kiribati, and that's the name I've been using, so I was confused when you referred to it as Kiritimati. A look at Wikipedia cleared it up; Kiribati is a nation composed of many islands, and Kiritimati is one of them. (There are several islands named Christmas Island, too -- I guess if Europeans discovered an island anywhere around Christmas, that's what they named it. You might pass not all that far from Easter Island in a month or so -- navigating from one holiday to the next.)
I also had NO idea how much jogging around the Date Line does! On most maps it looks much simpler (including Google's tracker map). But Wikipedia's Time Zone article has a much more detailed map that shows what you described. You've probably changed days 3 times in the last few days, with a 4th and final Date Line crossing (in addition to the very first one you made a couple weeks ago) to come in the next few days. Then your calendar can stabilize.
I'm relieved to hear the buoy did no damage (not nearly as relieved as YOU were, I bet). I'm sure you have information on all navigational devices; could it possibly have been a fishing float? If it fouled in the windvane, though, that means it was a couple of meters tall? No reason for fishing equipment to be that high. Hmmm.
Best luck as your voyage turns south.
Michael from Texas, USA
Congratulations jess, Finally heading south. Must be a great relief to have that behind you now. Been following your blog since you left sydney. Love all the photos.
Looking forward to your future postings on the rest of your amazing journey.
Safe sailing
Peter
Queanbeyan NSW
Hi Jessica!
I enjoy reading your blog.. Thanks for posting and for sharing your adventure.
Just to let you know, you are maybe, 700 nm from Natasza Caban, the Polish lady who is just about to finish her round the world sailing adventure. (she finishes in Hawaii).
Her last position was: 12 30 N, 144 26 W (probably further north by now).
Keep it safe & write often.
From California> Bruce
Go Jess,
If you get past Xmas in November then maybe you'll get home a month early.
Watch out for the buoys that drag you down.
Wishing you fisherman's luck.
RE: AndrewVA, well done!!!
Buderim. Qld.
hi.. i'm from indonesia..
you just showed up in Indonesian weekly newspaper..
good luck girl...
Good luck for stage 2 Jesse!
Pink Lady... go go go...
Hi Jessica, late afternoon Monday 23rd. You will soon get some 'downhill'sailing conditions which will allow you to experiment a little bit with sails and sheets, to help you you control your speed and direction (will help to prevent any broaching!)Once you get a feel for the range of wind strength, and the size of the following seas, you can adjust your "cloth" accordingly,and give yourself a more controlled and comfortable ride.
"Keep on keeping on" Jesse,rest and eat well, stay "clipped on " Godspeed and God Bless Dougal
Jesse...
A coooooool, calm lady... No matter what... your response is so matter of fact... and you just handle it.
With my admiration of your life skills... I send honour, respect, blessings.
You go girl.
Cielo, Brisbane
Hey Jess Great going so far and you have many supporting you all round the world. I love the way you combine the technical sailing stuff and your personal take on all aspects of your journey. Good on you for initiating your self on your passing of the equator. How you going with the fishing??? Keep safe and well. Good winds. Regards Noel Novice sailor Canberra
Dear Jessica,
May I add my congratulations to your crossing of the equator. It must have been a wonderful feeling to have achieved that part of your voyage.
I certainly recall my first crossing from North to South when I travelled from Amsterdam to Sydney.
I came via the Panama Canal, Tahiti and New Zealand. I returned to Europe via the Suez Canal just so I could say that I circumnavigated the Earth by ship BUT I certainly was not alone.
I was on a large cruise ship and I also enjoyed the crossing of the line that could be seen on the Port side of the ship if the captain could be believed. A lot of passengers rushed to the port side to have a look only to be told that half of them should move back as the ship would capsize with all the extra weight on the Port side.
King Neptune came aboard with his many helpers and all those 'first-timers' got an intiation that will never be forgotten. We were soaped-up from top-to bottom and then tossed into the swimming pool.
All the young ladies pretended that they did not enjoy it but the smiles on their faces indicated otherwise.
I have crossed the equator many times since then but always by air. No mention of the actual crossing of the line is ever mentioned on an aircraft although it is clearly shown on the video monitors aboard airliners.
Enough of my rambling.
Now that you have reached the Kiritimati Island and facing the 2nd leg of your journey, may I wish you all the very best, fair weather and safe travels.
As a special request, would it be possible for you to add the Latitudes and Longitudes as per your GPS whenever you sign off?
Maybe you could add it after your name??
It would be much appreciated and I can track your fantastic voyage on my maps.
Kindest Regards from a 70 year old Grand-dad,
Bert from the Netherlands
Hi Jess
Congratulations as by now you will be around Kiritimati Island. Hope today has been good sailing for you.
As promised thought Id let you know who won aussie Idol. It was Stan Walker... he has the most amazing voice, good on him. There was a big concert at the opera house last night lots of fireworks etc (I saw it on TV). Hope today has been a good one and no more 'brown buoys' appearing, like the last blog said the long line fishing nets can stretch for miles...
Here goes now for the next leg and heading south. Keep up your preventative maintenance and checking everything - good girl !! kind regards,
Carole (Mackay)
11-23-09 @02:28
Hi Jessica,
Hey yeah, I always like to check the “Voyage” segment of your blog and I was glad to see the Pink flag (Ella) coming around the NNE corner of Kiribati. You gave it a wide berth, which sounds like a good idea from what I have read about the shoals, reefs and some sunken ships. (???)
You made me think of the old outdoor drive-ins we used to go to many years ago, when you mentioned the movie and the popcorn. You had your own sail-in movie.
Well it’s probably the afternoon now where you are, so hopefully you’re into some open water sailing. Now that you can break away from the tacking, I’m sure that will be a big relief to you.
Keep up the good work and take of yourself and Ella. Enjoy the lull and do a little moping. LOL…..
You are a very special young lady so sail on, sail on, sail on and keep an eye open for “Silly”.
To Andrew from Richmond, VA …Listed all the Towns, Cities and States people posted from.
A job well done, thank you.
Take care, be safe and stay alert. Always thinking of you.
May God be with you and watch over you and may the angels keep your sails full. I will keep you in my prayers.
Michael (74) from Kingwood, WV
Thanks for shariing your adventure. It's facinating to be reading an adventure book as it's being written.
Question: Once you reached the line why spend so much time and effort rounding Kiribati island? Why not immediately turn south or southeast? Is it part of the requirements for the record ? You rarely mention wind direction, is it always from east or southeast?
Enjoy the journey and BE SAFE.
Jim
Hi Jessica!
My dad found your web page about a week ago, and we read your blog every morning.We live in Madrid, Spain.
Gotta go, about to get to school! You're amazing :)
Animo! (Its spanish)
Chloe.
Just dropped of Chloe,(15yrs.) only Nicole left, she is 7. And starts school at 9:30.
Nicole says Hello and good luck.
NeXT time we'll send our long and lat.
Safe sailing,
the Wallaces
Hi Jess,
just wanted you to know you have my suppprt. i was just watching some dolphins feeding off the coast of
Broken Head ( Byron Bay)thinking of you and all the wonderful things you must be experiencing.
Keep up the good work.
Pauline
Mitcham,Victoria
Hi Jess
If you recall I did a video interview with you at Sanctuary cove for www.synfo.com/The Yacht Report - glad to hear all is going well. I think I can solve your mystery – the buoy that ran down the side of Pink Lady was probably one of a series attached to a long line fishing device – these are release to run free for awhile catching fish some have radar reflectors and transponders to allow the fishing boats top find them again – they were quite possibly released by one of the fishing boats you saw – I grant you it can be well scary I had precisely the same experience on the first long distance delivery I did - I was appx 1000 nm offshore (right in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle to ad some extra fear) when suddenly there was a bang and buoy !!!
Fair winds and following seas
Tork
Congratulations on your progress
Any more bird friends?
Hi Jessica, I'm enjoying your blogs and the odd pic you post, having the bouy rub the side must have put the wind up you, anyway it was exciting to read. I have a question for you, how do you exercise on the board and what do you do to keep fit?
Keep up your good spirits
Omar Khayyam
Redfern N S W
Hi Jess,
You are rock solid, it may be slow going right now but you will get there.
Rock on Jess
Michael
Hey there Jess, I hope you're well.
It's Monday, 1830hrs here in Perth and I hope by now you are well set on a port tack and on a southward course back over the line and onward down to the horn.
If you happen to spot any more fishing boats around, please keep an eye out for their buoys and if you spot any, I'd be giving them a very wide berth beacause you would not want to run over any of those nasty things. I remember sailing straight into a fishing marker buoy once which was made of bamboo about 6-8 metres long and it went under the boat and somehow bent in half and made the most frightening noise I've ever heard in the middle of the night. What had happened was the bamboo pole bent in half right on the keel so one half was bashing against the port hull and the other half against the starboard hull. You can imagine what a racket that made. Anyway all that could be done was to jump overboard and release it All I can say is that jumping into the water, let alone in the middle of the night, you need like a hole in the head. As we live and learn, hey?
Some bloggers have also mentioned containers falling off bulk carriers and floating around the oceans. From my experience they were anounced as warnings, including what and where exactly, on weather scheds. But nothing beats your own eyes and a pair of bino's doing 360's regularly, don't you agree?
You do still have plenty of tropical sailing to do and I hope you have a very enjoyable time and make good progress.
I look forward to reading from you again but everyone's right Jess, no pressure ok?
Take good care, stay safe and bye for now...Sam
hi jessica
good luck but you should pass on the information regarding the bouys around christmas island to australian customs they will be illegal long line fishing lines please be careful smooth sailing
stu
Hi Jess,
Congatulations on outstanding progress. There are plenty of people in Western Australia thinking about you and sending their best wishes for your trip. A friend of mine rode a bicycle from Perth to Adelaide last month. Took 18 days. It takes something special to keep going and you have that, no doubt about it. Enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Andrew - Perth
live the dream girl
Kim W.A.
Hi Jessica
What is a girl to do out on the Pacific all alone but to pick up the first bouy that comes along. Are you sure it wasn't WILSON in disguise
I haven't always kept up to date with your progress, but I have believed that you can attain your goal.
Kim Esperance W.A.
The buoys are probably for earthquake and tsunami detection. You may run across more during your travels. I hope you don't run into anymore, it would be nice if the boat had a device that could warn you of such things in the water.
maybe the buoys were lobster pots... notorious nuisance for sail boats at night on some atlantic routes - though i don't know if they would have them out so far from land.
Hi Jess, I just starting following your blog. I am a big fan of what you are doing! Keep your spirits high and take in every moment.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
--Mike (from Seattle, Washington).
Hi Jess
It is so exciting hearing all your adventures. Look forward to reading your blog every day.
Good luck and smooth sailing.
Angie
Hey Jess! It's us from Flinders.... So glad you passed the big line! Well done! We are with you in spirit. The buoys are more than likely the ocean atmospheric buoys (weather buoys) that provide us with all of the currents, sea surface temp etc (but you probs know that anyway).
The photos are ecellent and you continually overwhelm us with your ability. Hail Neptune and safe sailing!
A belated comment on the buoys that you encountered. I closely followed the Volvo 'Round the World race a year or so ago and recall one of the boats encountering buoys which turned out to be marking fish nets. One of the boats became entangled in these nets off India and it took several hours to clear them (including a crew member had to go overboard to cut the nets from the keel). You might stay clear of such markers! Safe trip! I am enjoying your blogs and videos here in the States (Texas). George
Hey Jess,
As i fight with a Europeon keyboard that is kinda back to front i am engrossed to catch up on your travels and i am relieved that you have caught a fish and crossed the equator. I am a Brisbane boy(well 53 yo man) currently in Berlin, yes thats right Berlin. I finally find a computer that works do i email home? no, well not yet but i will after, I just could not wait to find out what was happening with you and Ella Pink Lady, keep going stay safe, you are inspiring.
Red
Hi there...
Catching up on your adventures! Been about a week since I checked in. Just a few notes on Kiritimati (the English transliteration of this word is Christmas!!). The main settlement on the island is called London (an abandoned village is called Paris!). The entire island is a wildlife sanctuary. In the late 1950s, UK conducted atmospheric atomic bomb test on the southeastern tip of the island ear without bothering to tell anyone there or offer to evacuate them. The island was discovered by Capt. Cook in 1777 and it was unoccupied until the 19th century. It was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act of 1856 (!??) although little guano was ever mined there. The US ceded the island to Kiribati in 1979. Sounds like a pretty interesting place.
One other interesting fact...and a sad one.As you were cruising north you passed perhaps 900 to 1,100 miles east of Howland Island. This out of the way place was in the world wide news in 1937. The American aviatrix Amelia Earhart and her co-pilot Fred Noonan crashed somewhere near this place. Their Lockheed Electra was never found after an extensive search. Earhart was attempting the first the first world circumnavigation by air around the Equator. As you have undoubtedly figured out, it's a very big ocean! Can you imagine being out their with no advanced navigation equipment and only a weak radio signal? I've read numerous books about exploration and it simply astounds me that anyone would willingly do the things that explorers did. I mean we're fortunate that some people had the bravery to do it; it's just hard for me to imagine being far away from any sort of assistance. Frankly, its hard for me to imagine doing what you're doing! Being on a 37 ft boat day in and day out...I suppose some would say it is romantic but after a while the romanticism has to abate leaving you with the stark reality of what it is you're doing. I think it's extraordinary.
Oh as a sort of P.S....your flying feathered friend Silly may have been a Red-footed booby or perhaps a Christmas Shearwater! These birds are native to Kiritimati Island. I couldn't see the criter very well so this is really just a guess. The booby has a greenish beak while the shearwater is entirely dark brown.
Good luck!
Hi Jessica,
Just came across your blog and am absolutely gobsmacked at the challenge you have set yourself!
I wish you all the very best in your endevour, hope you have more fish, kind winds and not too many rough seas, we are all routing for you my dear ;-)
Dave, UK
Go Jess,
you're awesome, go for it, you rock!!
Sorry, I'm not going to wade through almost 300 comments to find if someone has already suggested this - perhaps the buoy you encountered was a tsunami warning buoy.
Jessica, you are an inspiration to teenage girls and everyone else!! I read about you on FBomb and thought, I just have to read this girl's blog! So I did, and its a joy to read. Congratulations on your progress, hope you complete your dream! Don't listen to people who say its immature to want to pursue this dream of yours, because its INCREDIBLY mature to have a passion and pursue it, hon!
Smooth Sailing!!
Megan, America
p.s. you should really consider turning this into a book, with an introduction when you accomplish your goal. It'd sell well, everyone would want to read about your travels
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