Busy Day in Antigua

We went ashore this morning and I mailed a letter and then met with Arnold (HotHotHotSpot) to discuss some WiFi Access Point issues in the Caribbean.  We had a nice meeting then Arnold gave us a ride over to the Slipway where we purchased a few items at the Chandlery then stopped at Salty Dogs for lunch.

We headed back to the boat and bumped into Marco (IP 380 Habibi) and we talked a little while then he invited us over for snacks and drinks.  We made it back to the boat just before the sky opened up with a heavy rain shower.

I worked on the Diesel Genie and have things back to normal with it and have a few more minor projects onboard to deal today.

I then did some email with a fellow aboard an IP-40 in the Exumas who is trying to sort out an issue with stray current in, of all places, the rigging.  This is a very unusual issue but think that it is related to the lack of DC block capacitors is the RF ground leads on his wire tuner and HF Radio. 

When we first outfitted our boat for offshore in the late 1990’s HF with Pactor was pretty much essential but if I was going to make a recommendation on it now I would say that the Inmarsat  (voice and data) is both more economical and reliable.  I don’t think I would go the HF route again.  I’ve had an Amateur Radio license sine I was 14 years old but see very little use for it out here with options that are available.

I also got an email from SuperYacht Times asking if they could use some of my recent photos of the MV Garcon - so they included two on their website.

We went over to Habibi and Marco gave us the tour – he’s made some nice improvements onboard.  A small computer desk that doubles as a cockpit table expander, EchoTec Water Maker, refrigeration, LED lighting, etc.  We had a great visit and hope to catch up with the again in the future.

Today we plan to meet Kim and Sandy (IP-40 Kewaydin) and tomorrow Mike and Lynn (IP-35 Seabbatical).  It’s getting crowded with IP’s out here!

Super Yacht Challenge Antigua

As we sailed in to Antigua on Thursday we were in the thick of things as some of the yachts in this years challenge were out on the water practicing.

Falmouth, Antigua

We left Guadeloupe at 0700 this morning and had great conditions on the way here arriving at about 2:00pm.  As we neared the harbor entrance we saw several large yachts practicing for the large yacht race series that starts tomorrow.  Will post some of those photos tomorrow after we get back from the generator shop.

In the meantime, we were sitting here at anchor and this big ugly boat - looks like a mix between a sub and a yacht - left the marina.  The boat has a large toy deck and helicopter.

From the Triton:

"Moran Yacht & Ship has delivered the 223-foot (68m) M/V Garcon, a support vessel built by Amels. The vessel carries a Bell 365 helicopter, five tenders ranging from 10 to 14 meters, a four-man submarine, a custom diving cabin, as well as jet skis, wave runners and sea bobs."

Wonder what it supports?  A very serious water party?

Dinner tonight then moving on to Antigua

We have the folks from Habibi coming over for dinner tonight. Spaghetti Bolognese, salad, Chianti Classico, baguettes, chocolate ecclairs for desert.  Looking forward to the get together.

Early tomorrow morning we plan to head to Falmouth, Antigua where I plan to have our Diesel Genie Alternator rebuilt and visit with the folks of HotHotHotSpot.  We also have plans to join up with IP owners the Rogers and the Ahlers.

We always enjoy staying here in Deshaies - seems that we see more small sea turtles here than anywhere else in the Caribbean. 

Moving to Deshaies

We left Iles de Saintes tuesday morning and headed to Deshaies, on the Northwestern tip of Guadeloupe.  We bought a ham/cheese/baguette to take with us and also brought along some croissants.  Once we crossed the channel between the Saintes and Guadeloupe we had breakfast - smoked back bacon, hardboiled eggs, croissants with French butter - yum.

The trip was good - we had wind most all the here.  On the way in we passed and IP-380 Habibi and shortly after we anchored the couple came by and we talked for awhile then decided to meet on shore for a beer later in the afternoon.

We went ashore a little early so that I could work on a local WiFi Access Point and then met up with the folks from Habibi and had a few beers and talked.  We did not get back to the boat until around 6pm!

Mayday Maday Francais

When we are anywhere near a French Island out here we often wonder what would happen if an emergency situation developed.  Maritime Safety Announcements are in French and are not repeated in English.

Well, we left Portsmouth, Dominica this morning on our way to the Saintes.  About half way over we heard a Matitime Safety Announcement from Martinique (nothing from Guadeloupe about 20 miles away) and then it was repeated in fairly good English.  A Mayday reported NW of Dominica with a sunken (or sinking) boat and three people in the water.  I noted the position and we were already well North and had seen a Patrol Boat moving in the right general direction.  A native English speaker came on CH-16 and asked for a repeat of the position and the person who answered (think it was also Martinique) did not speak English.

We have no idea what the outcome of the search was but the call on 16 was repeated every 30 minutes until we turned the VHF off at 1230.

Makes you wonder?

Found this on the internet today (24 Jan 2013)

"

HYDROLANT 203/2013 (25)

EASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA. LESSER ANTILLES. DOMINICA-NORTHWEST COAST. VESSEL CAPSIZED AND ADRIFT IN 15-37.65N 061-31.48W AT 201600Z JAN. THREE PERSONS MISSING. VESSELS IN VICINITY REQUESTED TO KEEP A SHARP LOOKOUT, ASSIST IF POSSIBLE. REPORTS TO MRCC FORT DE FRANCE, INMARSAT-C: 422799024, TELEX: 42912008, PHONE: 59 659 670 9292, FAX: 59 659 663 2450, E-MAIL: ANTILLES@MRCCFR.EU.

( 230457Z JAN 2013 )

Portsmouth, Dominica

Last year when we were here the Venezuelan Government was working to remove all of the old steel boats that were wrecked along the shores of town.  There is one final wreck that is nearly gone now.  The sad thing is - locals have moved in the next bunch of wrecks.  The next time a serious storm hits the area these derelicts will then line the shore!

 Finally the next wreck with a photo of the last of the old wrecks ashore with salvage work still underway.