June 21/10 0900 Honolulu Time
Position: 21°17'N, 157°53'W (Keehi Marina, Honolulu)
Remaining distance to Yokohama finish: 13.4%
A well executed assist by our volunteer shore crew saw Saito-san safely to the Keehi Marina dock by about 8 am, quickly cleared through customs and disease control, then was off to his much-craved hot shower. After interviews by two TV film crews he went below and went to sleep.
The rendezvous went well, but was a bit earlier than we had anticipated after Dave Cooper and his able crew Bill Beedle left before sunrise to go the several miles from Dave's marina in his 15-foot power boat.
Dave told us that they spotted NBSDIII "almost immediately" but that she was a good 5 nm away from the agreed waypoint. Saito-san had doused all sails and let her drift while he caught some shut-eye. Anyway, that was the plan he had described last night as he expected to arrive several hours before his tender boat was expected. But they arrived at an earlier 0600 or so and it took some time to rouse Saito-san by vigorous pounding on the steel hull. "It was about 5 minutes before we could get him up," Dave said.
Dave told us that they spotted NBSDIII "almost immediately" but that she was a good 5 nm away from the agreed waypoint. Saito-san had doused all sails and let her drift while he caught some shut-eye. Anyway, that was the plan he had described last night as he expected to arrive several hours before his tender boat was expected. But they arrived at an earlier 0600 or so and it took some time to rouse Saito-san by vigorous pounding on the steel hull. "It was about 5 minutes before we could get him up," Dave said.
They then towed NBSDIII to quieter water, after which the smaller boat was roped near NBSDIII's stern to complete the final push into the marina proper, then tied up to the fuel dock. Dave said he'd done this sort of assist a number of times before, so it all went smoothly.
Somewhat coincidentally everyone involved this morning is a member of the Hawaii Cruising & Voyaging Society. Bill is the past Fleet Captain of the group, and Scott Gilbert and Ed Abbott, who made marina and customs arrangements, both knew Saito from when he was staying in Keehi Marina back when the boat was purchased there about 3 years ago. Dave had responded to an broadcast email from Ed.
We can't imagine a better reception or more qualified people to do it. We certainly had no trouble sleeping back here in Tokyo! Thanks again, guys... and aloha!
Somewhat coincidentally everyone involved this morning is a member of the Hawaii Cruising & Voyaging Society. Bill is the past Fleet Captain of the group, and Scott Gilbert and Ed Abbott, who made marina and customs arrangements, both knew Saito from when he was staying in Keehi Marina back when the boat was purchased there about 3 years ago. Dave had responded to an broadcast email from Ed.
We can't imagine a better reception or more qualified people to do it. We certainly had no trouble sleeping back here in Tokyo! Thanks again, guys... and aloha!
***
Dave was quick to point out that NBSDIII's mainsail is "pretty well shot" and badly in need of repair. Saito-san had said he expected to patch it on board, but we may want it taken to a sail loft if a professional repair can be done within a few days. After 29,000 nm (including 4,000 nm up from Auckland to Japan), the sail has certainly seen a full life. It needs to see just 3,800 or so more miles, and then its job is over.
Saito-san expects to leave in 4 days.
Dave was quick to point out that NBSDIII's mainsail is "pretty well shot" and badly in need of repair. Saito-san had said he expected to patch it on board, but we may want it taken to a sail loft if a professional repair can be done within a few days. After 29,000 nm (including 4,000 nm up from Auckland to Japan), the sail has certainly seen a full life. It needs to see just 3,800 or so more miles, and then its job is over.
Saito-san expects to leave in 4 days.
***
Distance in last 24 hours: 74 nm DMG
Total distance completed: 24,492 nm
To Yokohama: 3,792 nm
To Hawaii WP2: 0 nm
Heading: 290°
Reported boat speed: kts
Average boat speed: 3.1 kts
Average daily DMG over last 3 days: 88 nm
Weather: Clear skies
Temperature: 24.0° C
Barometer: 1016 hPa
Wind (from): 13-20 kts E
Waves: 2.0 m
Current (from): E at 0.7 kts
Engine: 0.0 hrs
Generator: 13.0 hrs
Sails: Genoa 20% staysail 0%, mainsail 2-pt reef
Position Map
