Pacific Grace June 2007 Through June 2008 This Bound Logbook Was Compiled from Bonice Anderson’S Daily Journals During the 2007/2008 Offshore Voyage of Pacific Grace
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The Log of the Pacific Grace June 2007 through June 2008 This bound logbook was compiled from Bonice Anderson’s daily journals during the 2007/2008 offshore voyage of Pacific Grace. Presented to Bonice this 14th day of June 2008 on the occasion of the ship’s safe return home. We wish to recognize her diligent work as chief communications officer which kept the families of our crew-members and trainees well informed during the voyage. We also wish to say thanks for her many other roles during Pacific Odyssey, caring for her family, the crew and trainees. Compiled by Scott Baker ● Printed by SALTS 2 Contents Pacific Odyssey - Leg 1 4 Pacific Odyssey - Leg 2 25 Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3 47 Pacific Odyssey - Leg 4 77 Pacific Odyssey - Leg 5 121 Pacific Odyssey - Leg 6 153 Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7 179 3 Pacific Odyssey - Leg 1 June 3rd 2007 @ 15:00 48°25’55.56 N 123°22’12.00 W speed 0kn Home Port June 4th 2007 @ 19:18 48°26’30.12 N 125°17’13.20 W speed 6kn Light wind from the south, overcast with driz. Spent last night in Port San Juan and were underway by 0800 this morning. Mortorsailing now. Many upset tummies but all are in good spirits. June 5th 2007 @ 18:42 46°43’0.12 N 126°47’60.00 W speed 5kn Sky mostly sunny with cloudy periods, air temperature cool, sailing gently with 4 lower sails. It’s been two days since we experienced an amazing send-off with all our family, friends, supporters, and government officials; it was very emotional for everyone on both sides of the departure, those leaving and those remaining. We spent a beautiful two hours sailing with the Swift and the Springtide accompanying us towards Albert Head. After our final good-bye, the Swift and the Springtide returned toward the Inner Harbour, while we continued to Becher Bay with the wind and tide working against us with 30knt. winds, creating a messy sea. Deep in Becher Bay behind Lamb Island we found calm water and enjoyed a roast beef dinner with the works; mashed potatoes, vegetables, yorkshire pudding and gravy. We were all still occupied with trying to find spots for all the important items we brought on to the boat, hanging up favourite photos, reading final good-bye notes etc. Raised anchor Monday at 0800 with a light westerly breeze that died later on. We motored out into the rain with a light headwind, thinking or hoping we were ready for what was waiting ‘out there.’ Just after lunch the seas became messy, the boat started wallowing in different directions and the fun began. During a safety harness lesson lead by Jose, many crew and trainees slowly made their way to the leeward rail. Life came close to a standstill for the next 40 hrs, with those feeling okay helping those who didn’t and filling in for dish crew, cooking crew, watch crew etc. Skipper had the stormsail put up along with the fore and the jumbo, this creating a more steady and comfortable motion. Everyone went to bed early. Tuesday morning was sunny and a few more faces appeared from their bunks, hungry and happier, not wanting to leave the ship afterall. Mid-day we lowered the stormsail and set the main along with the jib. We kept the engine on a bit longer as the winds were light. Eventually though, the engine was turned off and quiet descended . aaaaaah, glorious. We were sailing along at a speedy 2.9knt. with no land in sight, more and more of us feeling quite normal again, very happy. The sun came out for the afternoon though the air felt cool, and some guitars, mandolins and pennywhistles made their way to the aft deck, life aboard is beginning! We want to thank all of you for the amazing help and support we felt throughout the getting-ready process. It could not have been completed without the help of everyone and we will miss you. Thank you, Bonice. June 6th 2007 @ 20:38 44°16’30.00 N 127°26’31.20 W speed 7kn Cloudy skies, messy seas and cold temperatures in the morning and on into the early afternoon. Sun came out as the wind veered to the NW allowing us to raise course and enjoy sitting on deck. We have come to the end of a good day with all the trainees able to join their watches at the table for food, and . keep it down, a wonderful feeling. Appetites are returning and the cooks Gillian and Katie are doing a wonderful job. We find that we are sleeping more than most of us can ever remember sleeping, probably a combination of getting used to the motion and the fresh air, new surroundings and the catching up of sleep from preparing for the trip. Last night there were two wind systems meeting which meant that the sea was very messy. We spent the night rolling from side to side in our bunks, hardly sleeping. Our lee cloths became our friends as they kept us secure in our bunks. We have been making good time under sail, 7 - 8 kts for most of the day. As the wind slowly veered round to the west, and then the northwest, we were able to raise the course. Later in the afternoon, the course came down and the mainsail went up again. We have had some good practice at raising the trysail, stowing it, raising the main, lowering the main, raising the course, lowering it and stowing it, all several times over. In the afternoon the entire crew met and discussed housekeeping issues, as the foc’sle and the hold have become quite something with the bumpy weather and people not feeling so well. After a 30 minute tuck-and-tidy the boat looked fantastic and we could see the sole again. We’re motivated to keep it this way. Jose then took all the trainees on a tour of the deck, teaching what line each pin held. In a week we will all be quizzed so we can be called upon to haul on any line at any time. In the afternoon the sun came out and it was quite pleasant to sit on deck. Some of us are beginning our journals and doing some reading; I’ve noticed some great books I wouldn’t mind reading already. People are coming out of themselves, talking more, smiling and laughing more, a community is being created as each of us feel better and put out the effort to get to know each 4 other. After supper the wind died and the main was lowered. We are now motoring south and the motion is the stablest it has been for awhile; a gentle rocking that makes us look forward to a good nights sleep.We have already seen some sea life; whales and petrels, an albatross and shearwaters, a shark, a sea lion, and a pod of porpoises playing with the bow of the ship. Today we were accompanied for most of the day by another sailing vessel heading from Sidney to San Francisco, named the Arctic Dancer. Skipper made contact with her. We are looking forward to some better winds and warmer temperatures, but all is good, we feel very fortunate to be here. Bonice June 7th 2007 @ 20:24 41°34’0.12 N 127°56’31.20 W speed 5kn Mostly clear, warm, lovely following breeze. Today was a wonderful day for everyone. When we woke up it was noticeably warmer and the foul weather gear was relegated to down below. In the afternoon some people were even wearing shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, and most of us were in bare feet. The sun is very appreciated after the cold and wet and added to an already good day. Members of the crew introduced the video camera that has been purchased especially for this trip. We are trying to create footage that allows people ashore to peek in regularly to different aspects of the program as the trip progresses. Trainees are able to help with the editing and music if they are interested, and can offer up ideas, it’s an exciting new project. After supper different models of paper airplanes competed in a flight out to sea. Trainee Dave’s airplane flew the farthest and he was willing to share with us how to fold our own. A game of BINGO was started tonight by Karen and some of her watch which pits Portside sleepers against Starboard sleepers. Each team has to notice or complete the tasks she and others have thought up, ie. The first person to notice someone teaching at least 5 people something ‘un-boat related,’ and, the person to notice three separate sightings of an albatross. We’ll announce the winners at the end of the leg. Tonight we held our first Mug-Up with guitars, mandolins, drums and singing. On our first day out we tried to celebrate the 24th birthday of Ashley. There was a birthday banner and a special button for her to wear but we were all coping with . well, you know, and she too wasn’t feeling great. So, now that we are all on our feet and smiling, very happy to be here together on the ocean, which is turning bluer by the day, we are partying with a Happy Birthday song and a huge, chocolate and vanilla marble cake with candles.