Day 999 [June 28/11 JST] – Slower as Winds Turn Variable


Today's Report
June 28/11 0800 JST 

Position:  24°55'N, 150°26'E
Remaining to Yokohama:  922 nm (ETA: ? days)

A bit slower progress during the period as winds slowed and turned a bit less favorable from the NNE and sometimes NW. He made 83 nm of DMG, including a several-hour rest break.

Ogasawara is presently 467 nm away. At 0800 he was making 3.5 kts. Winds were expected to improve later in the day, however at this reduced speed he will take 6 more days to reach port there.

No other issues were reported.

***
It was announced Friday that Ogasawara has been named a World Heritage site by UNESCO, making it just the fourth site in Japan to receive this distinction.

Under the selection criteria based on natural aspects, a World Heritage site is "an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities of plants and animals" 
[and]
"contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation."

Ogasawara has several rare or endangered species, and is called by naturalists the "Galapagos in the Orient" due to its rich and distinctive natural aspects. 


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Distance in last 24 hours: 85 nm DOG / 83 nm DMG
Total distance completed: 27,516 nm
To Yokohama: 922 nm (measured)
To Ogasawara: 467 nm (measured)

Average daily DMG over last 4 days of sailing: 98 nm (measured) 
ETA, Ogasawara: 6 days
ETA, Yokohama: ? days

Heading: 280°
Reported boat speed: 3.5 kts
Average boat speed: 3.5 kts
Weather: Overcast; winds variable; warm
Temperature: 29.0° C
Barometer: 1014 hPa 
Wind (from): 8-12 kts ENE & NW variable
Waves: 1.5 m
Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef
Engine: 0 hrs
Generator: 0 hrs

[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 Supporting Sponsor.]