Day 386 [Oct. 24/09] -- Saito leaves Punta Arenas

Position:

53° 2'S , 70°42'W-- northeast of Punta Arenas [1900 JST, Oct. 24/09]

[Click to enlarge]

We received an email from Hanaoka-san to announce that Saito-san left the fishing harbor he's called "home" the past 6 months at 0557 this morning.

He slipped his lines under partly cloudy skies on calm seas, in weather that is expected to ease over the next day to the east and south. Over at least the next 7 hours he will have favorable winds from the west at about 11 kts, on 1.5 meter seas.

He will head east and north on the Strait of Magellan, enter the Atlantic Ocean in about 24 hours, then turn south on the Atlantic Ocean to head down the coast of Argentina. It is expected to take about 5 days to reach the Horn. His planned route can be viewed here.

Our great thanks to Hanaoka-san for all the many kindnesses he has extended to Saito-san over the long layover.

Day 386 [Oct. 24/09] -- Saito ready to depart

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W -- Punta Arenas [0830 JST, Oct. 24/09]

Saito-san called to say he was taking advantage of moderating weather and sea conditions, and was preparing to leave Punta Arenas at 6 am Saturday, local time (in about 10 hours). He said he received final clearance from the Coast Guard / customs. He reported that all major issues with the vessel had been resolved.

He said he appreciated the help of Mr. Gonzola, Mr. Hanaoka, and other local residents in making final preparations.

He will head east and north on the Strait of Magellan, enter the Atlantic Ocean, and turn south then west to pass Cape Horn. It is expected to take about 5 days to reach the Horn. You can see his planned route here.

Today's Weather Report [0700 JST] -- Courtesy of ClearPoint Weather

For Punta Arenas

Friday, winds at 30 kts out of the W, reducing to 15 kt on Saturday. Rain continues. Somewhat warmer later.

For Cape Horn

Conditions at Cape Horn presently appear much improved with lowered seas at 0.5 meters just below the cape. However, weather is highly changeable, with the frequent passage of successive fronts. To the west and up the Chilean coast, the seas are 5 to 7 meters.

Forecast [Punta Arenas]

Forecast [Cape Horn]

Barometric chart [click to enlarge]

Winds [Punta Arenas in 7 hrs]

Winds [Atlantic in 7 hrs]

Winds [Cape Horn in 7 hrs]

Waves (Strait of Magellan in 7 hrs)

Waves (South Atlantic Ocean in 7 hrs)

Waves (Cape Horn in 7 hrs)

Day 385 [Oct. 23/09] -- Weather report

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W --- Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today's Weather Report [0800 JST] -- Courtesy of ClearPoint Weather

For Punta Arenas

Friday, winds at 19 kts out of the SW. Light snow turning to light rain later in the week. Somewhat warmer later.

Forecast [Punta Arenas]

Forecast [Cape Horn]

Barometric chart [click to enlarge]

Winds [Punta Arenas]

Winds [Cape Horn]

Waves (Strait of Magellan)

Waves (South Atlantic Ocean)

Waves (Cape Horn)

Day 384 [Oct. 22/09] -- Weather report

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W --- Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today's Weather Report [1200 JST] -- Courtesy of ClearPoint Weather

For Punta Arenas

Winds at 23 kts out of the NW. Warm front approaching from W. Light rain and light snow continues through weekend. (Fourth front in 5 days to pass through.)

Forecast [Punta Arenas]

Forecast [Cape Horn]

Barometric chart [click to enlarge]

Winds [Punta Arenas]

Winds [Cape Horn]

Waves (Strait of Magellan)

Waves (South Atlantic Ocean)

Waves (Cape Horn)

Day 383 [Oct. 21/09] -- Weather report

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W --- Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today's Weather Report [0800 JST] -- Courtesy of ClearPoint Weather

For Punta Arenas

Winds at 28 kts out of the WNW and W. Cold front approaching from west. Light rain and light snow all week. Heavy weather at Cape Horn. (Third front in 4 days to pass through.)

Saito-san reports gale-force winds in Punta Arenas.

Forecast [Punta Arenas]

Forecast [Cape Horn]

Barometric chart [click to enlarge]

Winds [Punta Arenas]

Winds [Cape Horn]

Waves (Strait of Magellan)

Waves (South Atlantic Ocean)

Waves (Cape Horn)

Day 382 [Oct. 20/09] -- Waiting it out

Impatient skipper opts for a weather-delayed start

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W --- Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today's Report [1345 JST]

Word from Punta Arenas is that Saito-san has decided on the side of caution and will wait out the two back-to-back fronts that have punched Cape Horn this week.

He called last night and said he was still thinking of leaving Tuesday, but later talked with Safety Officer Mike Seymour and changed his mind. He said it now looks like he will wait until this weekend. The snow that began falling yesterday morning on the harbor no doubt reinforced that decision.

This morning, almost 50-kt winds were projected for Cape Horn tomorrow.

The tricky part is putting NBSDIII at the cape just after a front has passed, rather than waiting too late to depart Punta Arenas. It will take 5 days to go from there to the cape. But another option is that he can also sail into the relatively quieter waters of the South Atlantic, wait around for acceptable conditions, then make a fast transit of the Horn before the next storm system arrives.

All this is going through Saito-san's head as he weighs the risks.

Additional Update

Saito-san called this morning to confirm again he will hold his departure until the weather clears. This coming weekend at the earliest, but most likely one week to 10 days.

We will continue to monitor the weather for him and send fax or email updates to Hanaoka-san's office.

He also asked us to send him one month's worth of medication urgently by courier express.

Also:

• He is still waiting to receive some sail repair tape from a local (Chile) supplier.
• The problem with the starter on the main engine has been resolved: a broken ground wire to the solenoid. Hanaoka-san's people have made the repair.
• He will continue to search for the source of the hydraulic leak which has not yet been found.
• Fuel has been topped off and provisions loaded. He is ready to leave on short notice.

-- Mike Seymour, Saito 8 Safety Officer

Today's Weather Report [0700 JST] -- Courtesy of ClearPoint Weather

For Punta Arenas

Winds at 24 kts out of the W. Warm front approaching from the west. Light snow showers on Friday and Saturday.

Forecast (Punta Arenas)

Forecast (Cape Horn)

Barometric chart [click to enlarge]

Winds (Cape Horn)

Waves (Strait of Magellan)

Waves (S. Atlantic Ocean)

Waves (Cape Horn)

Day 381 [Oct. 19/09] -- Eyeing the weather

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W --- Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today's Report [0915 JST]

Saito called for the weather report in anticipation of a possible departure tomorrow. He expressed concern when told of an approaching cold front and the low pressure just below Cape Horn.

He said that 992 (the current barometric pressure in Punta Arenas) is "not bad," but was less happy about the 980 and 975 pressure readings nearer the Horn where seas just below the cape are running about 4 meters with winds blowing out of the west in the high 20s.

Those conditions are likely to remain for several more days. The late-winter weather is still quite changeable so it could improve by next week, or worsen.

He said he'd wait to make his decision on departure after tomorrow's weather update.

See the previous post for today's weather forecast and wave conditions.

Day 381 [Oct. 19/09] -- Weather report

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W --- Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today's Weather Report [0700 JST] -- Courtesy of ClearPoint Weather

For Punta Arenas

Winds favorable at 19 kts out of the W and WNW. Cold front approaching from the west. Light snow on Friday.

Forecast

Barometric chart [click to enlarge]

Winds

Waves (Strait of Magellan)

Waves (South Atlantic Ocean)

Waves (Cape Horn)

Day 380 [Oct. 18/09] -- Visa issue resolved

Tuesday departure seen as visa issue is resolved

Position:

53 11 S, 70 55 W --- Rafted in a harbor in Punta Arenas, Chile

Today's Report [0800 JST]

Saito-san called this morning to confirm that his visa issue was resolved by a day trip by car to Argentina. By crossing over the border and returning it meant that the necessary paperwork could be completed and he is back on a temporary tourist visa. He is now able to clear Chilean customs.

He said he has been given assurances of Coast Guard / Immigration clearance on Monday, and he will leave either then or early Tuesday morning.

Once under way, he will recommence calling Tokyo once or twice a day to report his status and receive regular weather briefings.

It will take approximately 5 days to reach the start of the tow point, and then approximately 3 to 5 more days to clear Cape Horn and proceed up the west coast of Chile.