“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship.”
—Louisa May Alcott ContentsIssue #265 November/December 2020 42 Features Ocean Voyaging 20 Into the Denmark Strait by Mary McIntyre Special Section 26 Battery survey 8 We asked a group of voyagers about their vessel’s batteries and their future battery plans
37 Upgrading Departments batteries Chartroom Chatter Treating 4 Solo rower breaks ocean record batteries as a 5 Instrumentless circumnavigator passes system works best 6 A North Pacific rescue by Wayne Canning 36 7 Autonomous Mayflower launched in UK 42 Tuna 101: A Primer for 8 Sailing Hall of Fame inducts honorees Voyaging Sailors in virtual ceremony 31 Catching, cleaning and eating 9 Have you lost or found tuna at sea something at sea? by Jayme Okma Lee Marine Tech Notes 10 USNO online Nauti- cal Almanac gets cloned by Tim Queeney 40 Power Voyaging 12 Very Helpful Feature - VHF radio by Jeff Merrill Short Tacks 16 During a pandemic, flexibility is key 19 Boat show lemonade 12
On the cover: Hayat Mokhenache, French captain of the expedition Voyaging Tips sailboat Aurora, steers out of Ísafjörður harbor in Iceland, bound for 41 Alarms, getting to know them better Greenland. Mary McIntyre photo. by Dick Stevenson Nav Problem For more on voyaging, follow us on: 48 Jolie Brise rescues Adriana www.facebook.com/oceannavigator www.twitter.com/oceannavmag by David Berson www.oceannavigator.com 20 contributors Ocean avigator NMarine navigation and ocean voyaging
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Jeff Merrill (Power Voyaging, “Very Helpful Feature - VHF EDITORIAL radio,” page 12) worked with cruising sailboat builder [email protected] Editor Tim Queeney Pacific Seacraft for seven years before transferring to 207-749-5922 PAE, builder of the Nordhavn brand, where he excelled Copy Editor Annika Erikson in sales for 14 years. Merrill crewed a leg of the Around Art Director Kim Goulet Norton contributing editors Scott Bannerot the World voyage on a Nordhavn 40 in 2001 and con- Twain Braden tinues to voyage with clients, having accumulated more Nigel Calder Ellen Massey Leonard than 20,000 miles on all sizes of trawlers. Jeff has been a Eric Forsyth featured speaker at TrawlerFest for more than 17 years. Jeff & Raine Williams He founded Jeff Merrill Yacht Sales Inc. in January of David Berson Ken McKinley 2014, a yacht brokerage specializing in trawler sales Wayne Canning worldwide. Visit www.JMYS.com to learn more. ADVERTISING/MARKETING
Mary McIntyre (Ocean Voyaging “Into the Denmark Strait,” West Coast US & canada, page 20) grew up in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, and international Susan W. Hadlock came to love long days spent exploring at an early age. 207-838-0401 east coast US & Canada, She now travels the world using skis, bikes, kayaks, or international Charlie Humphries running shoes as her catalyst for connection. Since get- 207-939-1929 publisher/ ting her first passport at three months old, she’s been advertising director Alex Agnew in search of people, places and stories, using her cam- 207-450-5363
era to capture images of her home range along with CIRCULATION/EVENTS the Himalayas, Andes, and many lesser-known locales Events & marketing in between. Her main focus now is on documenting coordinator Lee Auchincloss the diversity of human experience through narrative and imagery. BUSINESS
BUSINESS OFFICE Lee Auchincloss David Berson Nav Problem, “Jolie Brise rescues Adriana,” page ( MAIN OFFICE 48) is a Master Mariner holding a 200-ton Merchant PHONE 1-207-822-4350 Marine License since 1982. In his seventh decade, he ISSN 0886-0149 Ocean Navigator is published in January, March, May, July, September and is still pursuing the same dream of running away to November, with an annual special issue of Ocean Voyager in April, for $27.95 per year by Navigator Publishing LLC, 30 Danforth St., Portland, ME 04101. Peri- sea that he has harbored since a little boy in the Bronx odicals postage paid at Portland, Maine, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Ocean Navigator, P.O. Box Housing Projects. For the past 22 years, he has owned 461468, Escondido, CA 92046. Copyright © 2020 by Navigator Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No part and operated Glory, in Greenport, NY, the only solar- of this publication may be reprinted in any way without written permission from the publisher. charged, electric-powered, Subchapter-T tour boat Subscription rate is $27.95 for one year (eight issues) in the United States and its possessions. Canadian subscription rate is $31.95 U.S. funds. Other foreign surface is $33.95 U.S. funds. Overseas air mail is $62.95 U.S. funds certificated by the USCG in the known world. He per year. Distribution: Newsstand distribution, domestically and internationally: Coast founded a 501c-3 charity, Glory Going Green, in to Coast Newsstand Services LTD., 5230 Finch Ave. East, Suite 1, Toronto, ON M1S 4Z9. Phone (416) 754-3900; fax (416) 754-4900. 2011 that provides scholarships to eligible students in Contributions: We solicit manuscripts, drawings and photographs. Please address all material to Editor, Ocean Navigator, P.O. Box 569, Portland, ME Greenport. He looks his age but doesn’t act it. 04112-0569. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the safe handling of con- tributed materials. All other departments, 207-772-2466. Printed in the United States by the Lane Press
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Chatterby TIM QUEENEY
Solo rower breaks ocean record Power voyagers have engines, Ditton had originally to increase her speed. In sailors have the wind and been shooting for the sharply observed daily blog ocean rowers have … overall record of 52 days entries during the trip, muscles. In mid-September, set by rower Rob Eustace Ditton wrote beautifully British solo rower Lia in 2014. Ditton reportedly about shark attacks on
<< British ocean rower Ditton finished a muscle- ran into unfavorable yellowfin tuna and her Lia Ditton took this powered voyage from weather early in her voyage morning ritual of clearing selfie while training San Francisco to Hawaii. that pushed the overall the deck of flying fish near San Francisco. Ditton made the trip in 86 record out of reach. that crashed aboard in days, 10 hours, 5 minutes, Ditton was capsized the night. She subsisted and 54 seconds, an elapsed twice and later in her on freeze-dried spaghetti time that shaved 13 days passage flooded some Bolognese and Thai off the women’s record for compartments of her vessel chicken curry. the trip previously set by to increase stability. The Earlier in the year, Roz Savage at 99 days. added weight did little Litton had learned of the death of her friend and fellow long-distance rower Ruihan Yu of China, who had been attempting to cross the Pacific. Another solo rower, Angela Madsen, also attempting to row from California to Hawaii, was found dead attached to her boat near Hawaii in late June. Ditton ended the passage with 18 hours of nonstop rowing in the Molokai Channel. She was attempting to not get swept south of the island of Oahu. She finished her Lia Ditton record-breaking row in Honolulu.
4 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com << Marvin Creamer at the time of his amazing circum- navigation.
Instrumentless he tried them on passages circumnavigator in the Atlantic. He made several transatlantic voyages passes and became confident he Marvin Creamer, a could do something even sailor who performed a bigger. seemingly miraculous Creamer decided, circumnavigation in the at age 66, to do a mid-1980s, has crossed circumnavigation aboard the bar for the last time. A his 36-foot sloop Globe former geography professor Star. There would be no at Rowan University in sextant, no compass, no New Jersey, Creamer died watch or radio at the nav on August 12, at age 104. station (actually, per his Courtesy Rowan University Born in 1916, Creamer wife Blanche’s request, all traditional navigators do: proceeded to Cape Town; was long associated with those items were in a sealed they observe with a fierce Hobart, Tasmania; Sydney, Glassboro State College in case below deck in case of intensity. The saying that Australia; Whangara, New New Jersey (later renamed emergency, but were never no navigator relies on a Zealand; the Falkland to Rowan). He received needed). The navigation single source of information Islands and back to Cape his undergraduate degree equipment Creamer used is based on this age-old May. The crew of Globe from the school and later was all in his head. concept of continually Star returned on May 17, founded the Department of He had absorbed the assembling every available 1984 to a hero’s welcome. Geography there in 1970. techniques of instrument- bit of data into a mosaic Creamer, possessed with Creamer was also a less navigators and come up of position and course. the wry humor of one sailor and melded his with some of his own. His Another tenet of this talented at observing the interests in geography approach used everything approach, well known to world, reportedly called the and sailing to dive deep available, from keying an experienced ocean sailor voyage, “… a jolly romp.” into the science and art of on the rising, transit and like Creamer, is that once In the process, Creamer navigation alike. He had setting of stars to noting one is at sea, there isn’t any went down in the record long been interested in the mundane and seemingly real need to know one’s books as the first sailor to observational navigation random data like wind position to the 30-meter or circumnavigate without techniques — famously direction, wave direction, better accuracy of GPS. 10 instruments of any kind used, for example, by the color and temperature miles is good enough when (he did have an hourglass Polynesian navigators who of the water, the types of surrounded by deep water on board to time watch made long voyages in the weed floating in it and the and no hazards. changes!). In this age of Pacific without sextant, sea, bird and even insect Creamer’s satellite navigation and timepiece or compass. life visible at any moment. circumnavigation started satellite communications, it Creamer mastered these The essence of Creamer’s from Cape May, N.J. seems Creamer’s astounding techniques so well that method was based on what in December 1982 and feat may never be seconded. www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 5 ChChartroomatter
A North Pacific rescue highlights value of AMVER Crew aboard the Matson that desolate corner of the through every worst-case cargo ship Mahimahi learned Pacific Ocean some 825 scenario,” Kalke said. just after lunch on July 6 miles northeast of Oahu. “Were there people in the that a sailboat transiting Third Try left San water? Were there kids on from San Francisco to Francisco on June 25 board? Do they all have Hawaii was in trouble. hoping for a nonstop COVID? Did someone The trimaranThird Try circumnavigation with have a heart attack? How failed to make a 24-hour two men and one woman. are they going to get on report, and the Coast Four or five days later, board?” Guard requested the it encountered 10-foot In the meantime, Third cargo ship divert toward seas and 25-knot winds Try’s owner recognized its last known position that damaged the 50-foot the vessel’s situation was almost 190 nautical miles vessel, causing it to slowly untenable. He activated away. By dawn the next break apart. A friend on the EPIRB, which gave morning, all three sailors shore reported the possible authorities a clear idea from Third Try were safe distress at 0800 on July 6 of where it was. A Coast aboard the ship. when the crew failed to Guard HC-130 from “It was perfectly check in. Air Station Barbers Point uneventful,” Mahimahi The Coast Guard located the vessel and Capt. Tim Kalke said contacted Mahimahi made contact with its of the rescue in a phone through the Automated crew.
<< The rescue took place interview from his ship Mutual-Assistance Vessel The Coast Guard gave 825 miles northeast docked in Honolulu. Rescue (AMVER) system. Mahimahi an update at of Oahu. But the successful Mahimahi crew learned 1900. They let the crew rescue was no foregone about the situation at know the three people on conclusion, particularly in 1340 on July 6 as it the sailboat were in good steamed toward Hawaii physical condition, and loaded with containers. that Third Try could make The initial Coast 7 knots. That eased a lot of 40° N Guard report was short on Kalke’s concerns. California detail, Kalke recalled. The “Once we found out Matson crew didn’t know we were dealing with a the condition of the vessel, boat that could make 30° Third Try rescue whether anyone on board way, that there were three was hurt, and if they were, healthy people, that they Hawaiian Islands how badly. There were also were able to come along 20° concerns about possible the port side in perfect COVID-19 exposure. weather, everyone breathed “Between 1340 and easier,” he said. 160° 150° 140° 130° 120° W 1900, we were running Mahimahi crew
6 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com planned to recover the rely on merchant vessel sailors from a pilot ladder crews like Mahimahi’s Courtesy ProMare connecting to the side to assist with search and Autonomous Mayflower launched port on the port side. rescue cases. We are always The rescue plan called for grateful for their help.” in UK using the ship to make a Kalke, a three-year A 50-foot trimaran quote that appeared lee allowing the sailboat Matson captain with 22 was launched in the port of on MarineLink.com, to come alongside. From years at sea, offered high Plymouth in the U.K. in Mayflower AS is “Able to there, the sailors could praise for his crew during late September. While 50 scan the horizon for possible climb up the pilot ladder the “all hands” event. feet doesn’t usually a ship hazards, make informed onto the ship. “Every one of the crew was make, the group behind decisions and change its As Mahimahi closed involved and carried out this vessel is calling it the course based on a fusion on Third Try’s position, their duties professionally,” Mayflower Autonomous of live data, the Mayflower crews aboard the two he said. Quartermaster Ship. This version of Autonomous Ship has vessels confirmed the Allan “Gonzo” Gonzalez, the original Mayflower is more in common with plan over radio. The 69, earned special designed to sail transatlantic a modern bank than its rescue happened exactly recognition. without any human 17th-century namesake,” according to plan. By “Gonzo did an intervention. A joint project said Andy Stanford-Clark, 0337, all three sailors excellent job on the helm of IBM and the marine Chief Technology Officer had climbed aboard and maneuvering the ship design firm ProMare, for IBM in the U.K. and Third Try was left adrift. during the rescue,” Kalke the vessel is said to be a Ireland. “With its ability Given its compromised said, adding that the demonstrator of what to keep running in the face condition, Kalke said crewman has been sailing autonomous vessels can do of the most challenging towing it hundreds of U.S. merchant ships since using current technology. conditions, this small ship miles at 21 knots seemed 1969, the same year he The Mayflower AS was is a microcosm for every imprudent. The three was born. scheduled to make the aspiring 21st-century sailors disembarked Third Try’s owner crossing this summer, but business.” a couple of days later contacted Kalke a few complications caused by the For oceangoing sailors, when Mahimahi reached weeks after the rescue. pandemic have delayed its this vessel is nothing more Honolulu Harbor. The sailboat arrived on progress. The official start than a technology publicity “One of our greatest Oahu, albeit a little later of the captainless, crewless stunt. No one would challenges out here in than planned. A fisherman vessel’s transatlantic crossing actually want to “cross the Pacific is distance,” found it drifting 30 miles has been pushed back to the the Atlantic” while sitting Lt. Diane French, a Joint north of Oahu’s rugged spring of 2021. It will use ashore and watching on a Rescue Coordination North Shore and towed sail power for propulsion video screen, would they? Center (JRCC) command it to the island on July 6. and also have a diesel Considering the widespread duty officer, said in As of late August, it was generator on board for use of smart devices and a statement. “First moored three blocks from providing electrical power social media, maybe we responders are often days Kalke’s house. to run the vessel’s systems. don’t want to know the away and we regularly Casey Conley According to a answer to that question! www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 7 ChChartroomatter
Sailing Hall of Fame inducts honorees in virtual ceremony Award Recipient Briggs S. Cunningham, Jr. (January 19, 1907 to July 2, 2003, West Palm Beach, Fla.). Hall of Famers Vince Brun (2018), Peter Harken (2014), Stan Honey (2012), Bob Johnstone (2016), Tom Whidden (2017) introduced their peers and welcomed them to the Hall as part of the celebration. Joining from home were fellow inductees Betsy Alison (2011), Bill Bentsen (2017), Malin Burnham (2016), Steve Colgate Courtesy NSHOF (2015), and JJ Fetter (2015). Heartfelt messages of stories were shared, and the accomplishments of In a ceremony that was held Douglass (October 22, the new inductees lauded. online due to the COVID-19 1904 to February 12, 1992, Also providing << The new inductees were, pandemic, The National Newark, N.J.), William introductory and clockwise from top left, Sailing Hall of Fame K. Mattison (August congratulatory remarks James Edward Butter- celebrated its 10th annual 10, 1928, Elkins, were Rhode Island Senator sworth; Gordon Douglass; induction by ushering W.Va.), Robert B. Haines, Sheldon Whitehouse and Robert Bentley Haines, nine individuals into the Jr. (March 27, 1954, San U.S. Sailing President Jr.; Bill Mattison; David hall for 2020. The virtual Diego, Calif.), David B. Cory Sertl, among others. B. Perry; John P. Rousma- event had one upside versus Perry (April 18, 1954, The Class of 2020 niere; Henry “Hoyle” & an in-person approach: it Southport, Conn.), John inductees, who weren’t Diane Schweitzer. allowed for a large audience P. Rousmaniere (March able to have an in-person worldwide to view the 10, 1944, Louisville, ceremony due to the proceedings live. Ky.), Henry “Hoyle” and pandemic, will be The inductees Diane Schweitzer (April celebrated with a planned were: James E. 8, 1933 & December ceremony in Newport, R.I. Buttersworth (1817 28, 1935, Los Angeles on September 10, 2021 to 1894, London, & San Jose, Calif.) and alongside the new Class of U.K.), Gordon “Sandy” Lifetime Achievement 2021.
8 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com Have you lost or found something at sea? Editor’s note: this is to report things lost or descriptions of barnacles any accumulation of odds announcement is from found at sea that could or algae. Boatwatch. and ends. Boatwatch.org, a website help find the owner, and/ org will make sure the In addition to using run by Glenn and Eddie or assist Coast Guard information gets to the the form to report your Tuttle and associated with agencies, friends and proper authorities. current flotsam and jetsam the Seven Seas Cruising families, and possibly aid In maritime lingo, finds, please send us your Association, which is with missing or overdue “flotsam” is wreckage stories or news articles designed to aid mariners boating or aircraft or cargo that remains about finding flotsam and that are missing or overdue; incidents. afloat after a ship has jetsam or losing things at have a boat stolen; or to Debris from a sunk, and “jetsam” is sea by emailing us at one whom urgent messages need possible sinking boat cargo or equipment of our email addresses to be relayed. or airplane can provide thrown overboard from listed on the page. We very important clues. a ship in distress. The have posted our story of Boatwatch.org received a No matter how small or precise meanings are lost finding flotsam and jetsam great idea from a cruiser insignificant you may in the common phrase as well as a news story on which we have just think it is, it could be “flotsam and jetsam”, airplane debris found in implemented on our the missing clue or a which describes useless the Philippines on the website. Check out the vital piece of evidence. or discarded objects. The website. n new page called “Flotsam Take a look at the page phrase is sometimes used
<< Boatwatch.org now has a and Jetsam” at boatwatch. and keep your eyes open to describe items floating page on its site for report- org/reporting-flotsam- for these objects at sea. or washed ashore, but it ing items lost and found jetsam/. Photographs are very has also been extended at sea. The intent for this page important as well as into metaphorical use for
www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 9 MARINE tech Notes
USNO online Nautical Almanac gets cloned BY Tim queeney
n the past year, the writing in mid-September, for the sun, moon, naviga- IU.S. Naval Observatory it is still offline. One enter- tional planets, and naviga- (USNO), the primary source prising celestial navigation tional stars (these positions The original for the Nautical Almanac expert, Frank Reed (with a are collectively called eph- USNO online in the U.S., took down the celestial navigation website of emerides) for an entire year. Nautical online version of the almanac his own at ReedNavigation. The USNO has been Almanac is as part of an effort to mod- com), took it upon himself compiling the ephemerides of at right and ernize the USNO website. to bring back the USNO by the Nautical Almanac since Frank Reed’s The online almanac was sup- “cloning” it. 1852 and publishing it in “cloned” ver- posed to be back up by April The Nautical Almanac book form. When the Inter- sion is at left. of this year, but as of this includes the daily positions net Age dawned, the USNO
USNO web app clone Created by Frank Reed, Clockwork Mapping / ReedNavigation.com. USNO webUSNO app web clone app clone Created by FrankCreatedBody: Reed by , ClockworkInclude Frank Reed Navigation Mapping, Clockwork / StarsReedNavigation.com Mapping Date: / ReedNavigation.com 22. oct 2019 . GMT/UT: 00:00:00 DETAILS + AP: 40° 00' N 60° 00' W Body: IncludeBody: Navigation Include Stars Navigation Date: Stars 22 oct Date: 2019 22 oct GMT/UT: 2019 GMT/UT:00:00:00 00:00:00 DETAILS +DETAILS + AP: 40° 00'AP: 40°N 00' 60° 00'N 60°W 00' W Celestial Navigation Data CelestialCelestial NNavigationavigation DDataata
Celestial CelestialNavigation Navigation Data Data CelestialCelestial CelestialCNNavigationealveisgtaiatli oNNavigationna DDataviagtaation DDataata Celestial NavigationNavigation Data for 2019 Oct 22 at 0:00:000:00:00 UT Celestial Navigation Data fforor 22019019 Oct 22 at 0:00:000:00:00 UT For Assumed Position: Latitude N 40 00.0 For Assumed Position: Latitude N 40 00.0 Celestial NavigationNavCelestialigation NavigationNavDataiga fortio n2019 Data Oct for 22 2019 at Oct0:00:000:00:0 22 0at UT 0:00:000:00:0 0 UT Celestial Navigation Data fforor 22019019 Oct 22 at 0:00:000:00:00 UT LongitudeLongitude W 60 00.0 Celestial Navigation Data ffor o rLonLongitude 22019019gitude Oct 22 W at60 00.00:00:000:00:0 0 UT
For Assumed For Position: Assumed Position:Latitude Latitude N 40 00.0 N 40 00.0 For Assumed Position: Latitude N 40 00.0 Almanac Data | AltitudeAltitude CorrectCorrectionsi For Assumed Almanac Position: Data Latitude |N 40 Altitude00.0Altitu de Corrections LongitudeLon g itude LongitudeLon W g itude60 00.0 W 60 00.0 LonLongitudegitude W 60 00.0 ObjectObject GHA Dec Hc Zn | Refr SD PA Sum Object GHA Dec Hc c LonLongitude g itude Zn W| 60 Refr00.0 SD PA Sum o ' o ' o ' o | ' ' ' ' o ' o ' o ' o | ' ' ' ' Almanac Data Almanac Data | AltitudeAltitu |de CorrectCorrections AltitudeAltituide CorrectCorrections i Almanac Data | AltitudeAltitude Corrections SATURN 104 03.6 S22 27.9 +15 15.2 221.8 | -3.6 0.10.1 0.0 -3.4 SATURN 104 03.6 S22 Almanac 27.9 Data +15 115.2 5.2 221.8 | -3.6 AltitudeAltitu 0.0de Corrections 0.0 -3.5 ObjectObject ObjectOb jGHAect GHADec Dec Hc Zn Hc | RefrZn |SD Refr PA SD Sum PA Sum Object GHA Dec Hcc Zn | Refr SD PA Sum ALDEBARA 320 52.3 N16 32.8 + 3 49.1 71.5 | -11.7 0.0 0.0 --11.7 ALDEBARAObject 320 GHA 52.3 N16 Dec 32.8 + 3 Hc4c49.09.0 71.5Zn | -11.7 Refr 0.0SD 0.0PA -11.7 Sum o ' oo '' oo '' o o ' | 'o | ' ' ' ' ' ' ' o ' o ' o ' o | ' ' ' ' ALIOTH 196 25.6 N55 51.3 +12 44.2 336.6 | -4.2 0.0 0.0 -4.2 ALIOTH 196 o 25.5 ' N55 o 51.3 ' +12 o 444.2 4.2 ' 336.6 o | -4.3 ' 0.0 ' 0.0 ' -4.3 ' SATURN SATURN104 03.6 104S22 03.627.9 S22+15 27.915.2 +15221.8 15.2 | 221.8-3.6 |0.10 .1 -3.6 0.0 0.10-3.4.1 0.0 -3.4 SATURN 104 03.6 S22 27.9 +15 115.25.2 221.8 | -3.6 0.0 0.0 -3.5 ALKAID 183 04.1 N49 13.1 +12 20.3 325.9 | -4.4 0.0 0.0 -4.4 ALKAIDSATURN 183104 04.103.6 N49S22 13.127.9 +12+15 2120.415.20.45.2 325.9221.8 | -3.6-4.4 0.0 0.0 -3.5-4.4 ALDEBARA ALDEBARA320 52.3 320N16 52.332.8 N16+ 3 32.849.1 + 71.53 49.1 | -11.7 71.5 |0.0 -11.7 0.0 --11.70.0 0.0 --11.7 ALDEBARA 320 52.3 N16 32.8 + 3 449.09.0 71.5 | -11.7 0.0 0.0 -11.7 AL NA'IR 57 46.2 S46 52.1 + 3 06.6 178.5 | -13.4 0.0 0.0 --13.4 ALALDEBARA NA'IR 32057 46.252.3 S46N16 52.132.8 + 3 0406.649.06.69.0 178.5 71.5 | -13.4-11.7 0.0 0.0 -13.4-11.7 ALIOTH ALIOTH196 25.6 196N55 25.651.3 N55+12 51.344.2 +12336.6 44.2 | 336.6-4.2 |0.0 -4.2 0.0 0.0-4.2 0.0 -4.2 ALIOTH 196 25.5 N55 51.3 +12 444.24.2 336.6 | -4.3 0.0 0.0 -4.3 ALPHECCA 156 15.8 N26 39.2 +12 20.2 294.6 | -4.4 0.0 0.0 -4.4 ALPHECCAALIOTH 156196 15.825.5 N26N55 39.251.3 +12 2420.244.20.24.2 294.6336.6 | -4.4-4.3 0.0 0.0 -4.4-4.3 ALKAID ALKAID183 04.1 183N49 04.113.1 N49+12 13.120.3 +12325.9 20.3 | 325.9-4.4 |0.0 -4.4 0.0 0.0-4.4 0.0 -4.4 ALKAID 183 04.1 N49 13.1 +12 220.40.4 325.9 | -4.4 0.0 0.0 -4.4 ALPHERAT 27 46.9 N29 12.0 +61 33.7 102.2 | -0.5 0.00.0 0.0 -0.5 ALPHERATALKAID 18327 46.904.1 N29N49 12.013.1 +61+12 3233.620.43.60.4 102.2325.9 | -0.5-4.4 0.0 0.0 -0.5-4.4 AL NA'IR AL 57 NA'IR 46.2 S4657 46.252.1 S46+ 3 52.106.6 +178.5 3 06.6 | -13.4178.5 |0.0 -13.4 0.0 --13.40.0 0.0 --13.4 AL NA'IR 57 46.2 S46 52.1 + 3 006.66.6 178.5 | -13.4 0.0 0.0 -13.4 ALTAIR 92 12.2 N 8 55.4 +47 44.2 231.5 | -0.9 0.00.0 0.0 -0.9 ALTAIRAL NA'IR 9257 12.246.2 NS46 8 55.552.1 +47+ 3 4044.206.64.26.6 231.5178.5 | -13.4-0.9 0.0 0.0 -13.4-0.9 ALPHECCA ALPHECCA156 15.8 156N26 15.839.2 N26+12 39.220.2 +12294.6 20.2 | 294.6-4.4 |0.0 -4.4 0.0 0.0-4.4 0.0 -4.4 ALPHECCA 156 15.8 N26 39.2 +12 220.20.2 294.6 | -4.4 0.0 0.0 -4.4 ANKAA 23 19.2 S42 12.0 + 1 20.2 153.7 | -19.9 0.0 0.0 --19.9 ANKAAALPHECCA 15623 19.215.8 S42N26 12.039.2 ++12 1 220.20.2 153.7294.6 | -20.0-4.4 0.0 0.0 -20.0-4.4 ALPHERAT ALPHERAT 27 46.9 N2927 46.912.0 N29+61 12.033.7 +61102.2 33.7 | 102.2-0.5 |0.00 .0 -0.5 0.0 0.00-0.5.0 0.0 -0.5 ALPHERAT 27 46.9 N29 12.0 +61 333.63.6 102.2 | -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.5 CAPELLACAPELLA 310 35.9 N46 00.8 +16 36.3 43.1 | -3.3 0.00.0 0.0 -3.3 CAPELLAALPHERAT 310 27 35.946.9 N46N29 00.812.0 +16+61 336.333.66.33.6 102.243.1 | -3.3-0.5 0.0 0.0 -3.3-0.5 ALTAIR ALTAIR 92 12.2 N92 8 12.255.4 N+47 8 55.444.2 +47231.5 44.2 | 231.5-0.9 |0.00 .0 -0.9 0.0 0.00-0.9.0 0.0 -0.9 ALTAIR 92 12.2 N 8 55.5 +47 444.24.2 231.5 | -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.9 DENEB 79 36.7 N45 21.4 +74 40.1 296.9 | -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 DENEBALTAIR 7992 36.612.2 N45N 8 21.455.5 +74+47 440.144.20.14.2 296.9231.5 | -0.3-0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.3-0.9 ANKAA ANKAA 23 19.2 S4223 19.212.0 S42+ 1 12.020.2 +153.7 1 20.2 | -19.9153.7 |0.0 -19.9 0.0 --19.90.0 0.0 --19.9 ANKAA 23 19.2 S42 12.0 + 1 220.20.2 153.7 | -20.0 0.0 0.0 -20.0 DIPHDA 18 59.4 S17 52.7 +20 39.5 138.1 | --2.62.6 0.00.0 0.0 -2.6 DIPHDAANKAA 1823 59.419.2 S17S42 52.712.0 +20+ 1 239.520.20.2 153.7138.1 | -20.0 -2.6 0.0 0.0 -20.0 -2.6 CAPELLACAPELLA CAPELLAC310APELLA 35.9 310N46 35.900.8 N46+16 00.836.3 +16 43.1 36.3 | -3.343.1 |0.00 .0 -3.3 0.0 0.00-3.3.0 0.0 -3.3 CAPELLA 310 35.9 N46 00.8 +16 336.36.3 43.1 | -3.3 0.0 0.0 -3.3 DUBHE 223 55.0 N61 38.6 +12 28.6 352.3 | -4.3 0.0 0.0 -4.3 DUBHECAPELLA 223310 55.035.9 N61N46 38.600.8 +12+16 328.636.36.3 352.343.1 | -3.3-4.3 0.0 0.0 -3.3-4.3 DENEB DENEB 79 36.7 N4579 36.721.4 N45+74 21.440.1 +74296.9 40.1 | 296.9-0.3 |0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0-0.3 0.0 -0.3 DENEB 79 36.6 N45 21.4 +74 440.10.1 296.9 | -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 ELNATH 308 15.1 N28 37.3 + 3 22.1 54.8 | -12.7 0.0 0.0 -12.7 ELNATHDENEB 308 79 15.136.6 N28N45 37.321.4 ++74 3 422.140.10.1 296.9 54.8 | -12.8-0.3 0.0 0.0 -12.8-0.3 DIPHDA DIPHDA 18 59.4 S1718 59.4 52.7 S17 +20 52.7 39.5 +20 138.1 39.5 | 138.1--2.62.6 | 0.00.0 --2.6 2.6 0.0 0.00-2.6.0 0.0 -2.6 DIPHDA 18 59.4 S17 52.7 +20 39.5 138.1 | -2.6 0.0 0.0 -2.6 ELTANIN 120 52.6 N51 29.6 +47 19.1 306.6 | -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.9 ELTANINDIPHDA 120 18 52.659.4 N51S17 29.652.7 +47+20 19.139.5 306.6138.1 | -0.9-2.6 0.0 0.0 -0.9-2.6 DUBHE DUBHE223 55.0 223N61 55.038.6 N61+12 38.628.6 +12352.3 28.6 | 352.3-4.3 |0.0 -4.3 0.0 0.0-4.3 0.0 -4.3 DUBHE 223 55.0 N61 38.6 +12 28.6 352.3 | -4.3 0.0 0.0 -4.3 ENIF 63 50.9 N 9 58.1 +59 46.4 187.5 | -0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.6 ENIFDUBHE 22363 50.955.0 NN61 9 58.138.6 +59+12 46.428.6 187.5352.3 | -0.6-4.3 0.0 0.0 -0.6-4.3 ELNATH ELNATH308 15.1 308N28 15.137.3 N28+ 3 37.322.1 + 54.83 22.1 | -12.7 54.8 |0.0 -12.7 0.0 -12.70.0 0.0 -12.7 ELNATH 308 15.1 N28 37.3 + 3 22.1 54.8 | -12.8 0.0 0.0 -12.8 FOMALHAU 45 27.1 S29 31.1 +19 10.8 166.6 | -2.8 0.0 0.0 -2.8 FOMALHAUELNATH 30845 27.115.1 S29N28 31.137.3 +19+ 3 10.822.1 166.6 54.8 | -12.8-2.8 0.0 0.0 -12.8-2.8 ELTANIN ELTANIN120 52.6 120N51 52.629.6 N51+47 29.619.1 +47306.6 19.1 | 306.6-0.9 |0.0 -0.9 0.0 0.0-0.9 0.0 -0.9 ELTANIN 120 52.6 N51 29.6 +47 19.1 306.6 | -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.9 HAMAL 358 03.7 N23 33.3 +35 57.6 88.0 | -1.4 0.0 0.0 -1.4 HAMALELTANIN 358120 03.752.6 N23N51 33.329.6 +35+47 57.619.1 306.688.0 | -1.3-0.9 0.0 0.0 -1.3-0.9 ENIF ENIF 63 50.9 N63 9 50.958.1 N+59 9 58.146.4 +59187.5 46.4 | 187.5-0.6 |0 .0 -0.6 0.0 0-0.6.0 0.0 -0.6 ENIF 63 50.9 N 9 58.1 +59 46.4 187.5 | -0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.6 KOCHAB 167 29.4 N74 04.7 +33 42.5 341.7 | -1.5 0.0 0.0 -1.5 KOCHABENIF 167 63 29.350.9 N74N 9 04.758.1 +33+59 42.546.4 341.7187.5 | -1.5-0.6 0.0 0.0 -1.5-0.6 FOMALHAU FOMALHAU 45 27.1 S2945 27.131.1 S29+19 31.110.8 +19166.6 10.8 | 166.6-2.8 |0 .0 -2.8 0.0 0-2.8.0 0.0 -2.8 FOMALHAU 45 27.1 S29 31.1 +19 10.8 166.6 | -2.8 0.0 0.0 -2.8 MARKAB 43 42.0 N15 18.8 +61 30.6 145.4 | -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.5 MARKABFOMALHAU 4345 41.927.1 N15S29 18.831.1 +61+19 30.610.8 145.4166.6 | -0.5-2.8 0.0 0.0 -0.5-2.8 HAMAL HAMAL358 03.7 358N23 03.733.3 N23+35 33.357.6 +35 88.0 57.6 | -1.488.0 |0 .0 -1.4 0.0 0-1.4.0 0.0 -1.4 HAMAL 358 03.7 N23 33.3 +35 57.6 88.0 | -1.3 0.0 0.0 -1.3 MENKAR 344 18.4 N 4 10.0 +13 37.3 96.1 | -4.0 0.0 0.0 -4.0 MENKARHAMAL 344358 18.403.7 NN23 4 10.033.3 +13+35 37.257.6 96.188.0 | -4.0-1.3 0.0 0.0 -4.0-1.3 KOCHAB KOCHAB167 29.4 167N74 29.404.7 N74+33 04.742.5 +33341.7 42.5 | 341.7-1.5 |0 .0 -1.5 0.0 0-1.5.0 0.0 -1.5 KOCHAB 167 29.3 N74 04.7 +33 42.5 341.7 | -1.5 0.0 0.0 -1.5 MIRFAK 338 41.9 N49 55.7 +34 30.2 50.5 | -1.4 0.0 0.0 -1.4 MIRFAKKOCHAB 338167 41.829.3 N49N74 55.704.7 +34+33 30.242.5 341.750.5 | -1.4-1.5 0.0 0.0 -1.4-1.5 MARKAB MARKAB 43 42.0 N1543 42.018.8 N15+61 18.830.6 +61145.4 30.6 | 145.4-0.5 |0.0 -0.5 0.0 0.0-0.5 0.0 -0.5 MARKAB 43 41.9 N15 18.8 +61 30.6 145.4 | -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.5 NUNKI 106 01.2 S26 16.3 +11 05.9 221.1 | -4.8 0.0 0.0 -4.8 NUNKIMARKAB 106 43 01.241.9 S26N15 16.318.8 +11+61 05.930.6 221.1145.4 | -4.9-0.5 0.0 0.0 -4.9-0.5 MENKAR MENKAR344 18.4 344N 4 18.410.0 N+13 4 10.037.3 +13 96.1 37.3 | -4.096.1 |0.0 -4.0 0.0 0.0-4.0 0.0 -4.0 MENKAR 344 18.4 N 4 10.0 +13 37.2 96.1 | -4.0 0.0 0.0 -4.0 RASALHAG 126 10.8 N12 33.0 +26 12.6 264.4 | -2.0 0.0 0.0 -2.0 RASALHAGMENKAR 126344 10.818.4 N12N 4 33.010.0 +26+13 12.637.2 264.4 96.1 | -2.0-4.0 0.0 0.0 -2.0-4.0 MIRFAK MIRFAK338 41.9 338N49 41.955.7 N49+34 55.730.2 +34 50.5 30.2 | -1.450.5 |0 .0 -1.4 0.0 0-1.4.0 0.0 -1.4 MIRFAK 338 41.8 N49 55.7 +34 30.2 50.5 | -1.4 0.0 0.0 -1.4 SABIK 132 16.0 S15 44.8 + 2 52.4 246.6 | -14.0 0.0 0.0 -14.0 SABIKMIRFAK 132338 16.041.8 S15N49 44.855.7 ++34 2 52.530.2 246.6 50.5 | -14.1 -1.4 0.0 0.0 -14.1 -1.4 NUNKI NUNKI106 01.2 106S26 01.216.3 S26+11 16.305.9 +11221.1 05.9 | 221.1-4.8 |0.0 -4.8 0.0 0.0-4.8 0.0 -4.8 NUNKI 106 01.2 S26 16.3 +11 05.9 221.1 | -4.9 0.0 0.0 -4.9 SCHEDAR 19 43.2 N56 38.8 +59 07.1 43.8 | -0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.6 SCHEDARNUNKI 10619 43.201.2 N56S26 38.816.3 +59+11 07.105.9 221.143.8 | -0.6-4.9 0.0 0.0 -0.6-4.9 RASALHAG RASALHAG126 10.8 126N12 10.833.0 N12+26 33.012.6 +26264.4 12.6 | 264.4-2.0 |0 .0 -2.0 0.0 0-2.0.0 0.0 -2.0 RASALHAG 126 10.8 N12 33.0 +26 12.6 264.4 | -2.0 0.0 0.0 -2.0 VEGA 110 44.4 N38 48.5 +51 19.0 285.1 | -0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.8 VEGARASALHAG 110126 44.310.8 N38N12 48.533.0 +51+26 19.012.6 285.1264.4 | -0.8-2.0 0.0 0.0 -0.8-2.0 SABIK SABIK132 16.0 132S15 16.044.8 S15+ 2 44.852.4 +246.6 2 52.4 | -14.0246.6 |0.0 -14.0 0.0 -14.00.0 0.0 -14.0 SABIK 132 16.0 S15 44.8 + 2 52.5 246.6 | -14.1 0.0 0.0 -14.1 POLARIS 345 34.4 N89 20.7 +40 10.4 0.8 | -1.2 0.0 0.0 -1.2 POLARISSABIK 345132 34.316.0 N89S15 20.744.8 +40+ 2 10.452.5 246.6 0.8 | -14.1-1.2 0.0 0.0 -14.1-1.2 SCHEDAR SCHEDAR 19 43.2 N5619 43.238.8 N56+59 38.807.1 +59 43.8 07.1 | -0.643.8 |0 .0 -0.6 0.0 0-0.6.0 0.0 -0.6 SCHEDAR 19 43.2 N56 38.8 +59 07.1 43.8 | -0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.6 ARIES 30 08.2 ARIESSCHEDAR 3019 08.243.2 N56 38.8 +59 07.1 43.8 | -0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.6 VEGA VEGA110 44.4 110N38 44.448.5 N38+51 48.519.0 +51285.1 19.0 | 285.1-0.8 |0 .0 -0.8 0.0 0-0.8.0 0.0 -0.8 VEGA 110 44.3 N38 48.5 +51 19.0 285.1 | -0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.8 VEGA 110 44.3 N38 48.5 +51 19.0 285.1 | -0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.8 POLARIS POLARIS345 34.4 345N89 34.420.7 N89+40 20.710.4 +40 0.8 10.4 | -1.2 0.8 |0 .0 -1.2 0.0 0-1.2.0 0.0 -1.2 POLARIS 345 34.3 N89 20.7 +40 10.4 0.8 | -1.2 0.0 0.0 -1.2 POLARIS 345 34.3 N89 20.7 +40 10.4 0.8 | -1.2 0.0 0.0 -1.2 ARIES ARIES 30 08.2 30 08.2 ARIES 30 08.2 ARIES 30 08.2
10 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com began offering the online almanac, online ‘nautical almanac’ app — example! We don’t need to re- and has done so for years. The already calculate GHA, Dec, Hc, calculate it. Instead, my apps use online almanac was described by and Zn for the standard celestial a simple table lookup, just like a Reed in an email as an “antique, objects in celestial navigation, it traditional paper almanac but in ‘celestial navigation data’ web app was easy to create a new web app code. The app has within it the … Those of us who examined that would reproduce the general daily (and when necessary, hourly) their web app determined long appearance of their ‘missing-in- positions of all the celestial bodies. ago that it was a simple text-based action’ web app.” There’s no computation except for wrapper for data generated from a While most of us are happy simple interpolation between tabu- legacy app (originally a DOS app) just observing and reducing a lated values. This is much easier in called MICA.” single sun sight, other celestial terms of code and also much safer Reed’s website has had its own navigators, like Reed, are made since there are far fewer possibili- astronomical ephemerides calcula- of sterner stuff. He found the ties for bugs.” tion apps for many years and he process of cloning the site fairly Maybe the biggest question knew that to generate a version of straightforward. “Was it hard to you can ask is why someone would the USNO online almanac would clone? Not at all, given that my go to this extent to reproduce an not be difficult based on what he other apps already existed. I spon- online almanac that is a bit old- had previously built for his site. taneously announced my plan to fashioned, and for which there are “I have had the necessary back- create this clone during my online a variety of substitutes. Reed had end app that processes ephemeris ‘Office Hours’ (open to the public, a colorful answer, “So why clone data and calculates the positions link is on my website) on Sunday, the Naval Observatory’s antique of sun, moon, planets, and stars Sep.13, at 2:00 p.m. I started in app? It’s not that valuable, and in various coordinate systems use- on it at 5:00 p.m., and the app was there are other tools, including ful to celestial navigation since done and running by 5:00 a.m. some of mine, that already fulfilled 2004. I originally produced these after a marathon coding session … its role. First, I miss it! There were tools to analyze lunars so they are I don’t calculate the positions of days when I would find myself designed to be accurate to one sec- the celestial bodies. Most develop- thinking, ‘I just want that USNO ond of arc. The original ephemeris ers of apps like these spend months app.’ But the real answer is occult data comes from the same ‘best fine-tuning code that works out magic. As I said to a number of in show’ source employed by the the positions of the planets and the people, given Murphy’s Law and editors of the government-issue moon and so on with complicated such, I half expected the USNO Nautical Almanac and Astronomi- algorithms involving hundreds website to re-appear the day after cal Almanac, too, namely the JPL of mathematical terms. There are I launched this clone. And I do numerical integrations of the Solar vast collections of tools for this count my ‘clone’ as a little magic System and the Hipparcos star amounting to many megabytes of spell to get their site back up and catalog.” code. Apps built that way, running running.” Equipped with this essential on thousands of devices all around Reed’s site “clone” is still fill- background Reed was able to the globe, are re-calculating the ing in for the USNO web app, and reconstruct the USNO version. same quantities millions of times you can access it here: clockwk. “I have never used MICA, but over, which have already been com/apps/USNOclone/. Check its output is straightforward to worked out to exacting preci- out Reed’s excellent lunar distance generate. All I had to do to clone sion by the primary source at calculators on his site — we talk their app was to create a new [NASA’s] Jet Propulsion Lab. We about lunar distance measurements backend or ‘server-side’ almanac. know ‘exactly’ where the moon is in this issue’s celestial navigation Since my other apps — such as my going to be on July 7, 2033, for installment. n www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 11 power voyaging
Very Helpful Feature - VHF radio STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFF MERRILL ith all of the savvy pretty cool. no mystery, this is truly a very Wtechnology that exists If you were born before the simple and easy-to-use device. on boats today, it is easy to 1960s (like the author), you The sound signal transmit- overlook that the most reli- may remember the old days of ted through the airwaves has able communication tool on the party line telephone — no a range based on the height your vessel is your VHF radio. privacy, you picked up your of the antenna. In theory, you VHF stands for Very High home phone and if someone can be heard through any Frequency (not the title, very else was on the line you had other VHF unit within that same line of sight range. Most boats that I’m on have a com- munication range of about 16 miles. This range is influenced by what type of equipment you are using, who you are connecting with, settings, antenna height, and local atmospheric conditions. The protocol for operat- ing a VHF radio is equally simple. When you are on board, especially underway, you are required to monitor VHF Channel 16. Channel helpful feature). Marine VHF to wait your turn so you didn’t 16 is primarily for emergency radios have been around for interrupt the call in progress. hailing (the on-water 911), Radar and sat- decades — Wikipedia reports VHF has a similar social com- but also serves as the start- com, of course, twelve coastal stations in New ponent and is truly one of the ing point to initiate non- but don’t England around 1920. They first commonly used mobile emergency communications. forget the com- are simple and designed for communication devices. Like Since VHF communication munications easy operation. There aren’t the party line, however, every- is unannounced (no ringing workhorse: many other 100-year-old tech- one in range can listen in to or alarms, just instant chat- VHF. nologies still as important. The your conversation when you ter), you should repeat your- original magic that allows us to are on the air. For the uniniti- self three times. This enables talk between boats miles apart ated, and until you are familiar all listeners in your range to using the airwaves — not con- with the basics, it can be a bit catch your broadcast and pay nected by wires or cables — is intimidating. Many novices attention. For non-emergency still an unbelievable illusion to get “stage fright” and don’t comms, you connect with the me. The fact that it works is want to click the mic. There is person/boat you desire and
12 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com then agree to leave VHF 16 and boat, you will be the primary user of the mic button to talk, and then switch to a different channel. The the VHF radio. Be sure to take some release to listen. An “open mic” is channels where it is appropriate to time to demonstrate how your VHF when someone forgets to release and converse are called “working chan- works to crewmembers who will be can tie up a channel, so be aware of nels.” on watch and skippering your vessel. this function. A brief summary of VHF radio channels commonly used by recre- ational boaters in the U.S. is: Chan- nels 3 and 4 are for NOAA weather, Channel 9 as an alternative for ship to ship, Channel 13 for bridge open- ings, Channel 14 for VTS (Vessel Left, labeling helps. Traffic Service), Channel 16 for Here are an SSB, a emergency, and Channel 22A for VHF and a satphone all labeled with info Coast Guard public safety informa- for easy operation. tion broadcasts. Our working chan- Below, a VHF with nels are usually 68, 69, 71 and 72. an emergency pro- Channel 70 is for DSC (digital selec- cedures checklist. tive calling). There are about two dozen active channels in U.S. waters. It’s neither a “dumb phone” nor a Note the USCG can be contacted “smartphone” and is quite different on Channel 16; they then normally than calling on a cell phone or an ask you to switch to Channel 22 for old CB radio. Your VHF radio is conversation. You can download the one of the pieces of navigation elec- VHF complete channel summary on tronics gear on your boat you actu- the USCG.gov website. ally get to dial in by twisting knobs As the captain/operator of your or pushing buttons. You hold down
The ability to hail another vessel is a huge safety proposition (espe- cially two boats conversing while on imminently intersecting courses), so you need to be comfortable hearing your voice on the air and know how the back-and-forth process works; talk, then release and listen, then key Two built-in VHF back in to respond. units with distress frequency buttons Do you have a Ship Station and a label with License? distress frequency Most trawler owners I know have intro. taken this step. Having a Federal www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 13 power voyaging
their MMSI. This is an FCC provid- ed number. BoatU.S. is authorized to register recreational boats. With A VHF in the an MMSI integrated into your DSC pilothouse with VHF, you can do digital calling ship a dangling mic to ship. cord. This can be kept out of the In reach, easier to hear and stay way with a simple in touch coat hook. VHF radios are typically installed on the dash or in the overhead for Communications Commission vessel identification on Automatic easy reach. They are not yet set up (FCC) Ship Station License onboard Identification System (AIS). Make a with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/hands-free, your vessel is another recommended label with your call sign printed and so there’s typically a curly cord. The ship document to obtain. These are posted near your VHF radio. cords connect the VHF base to the distributed through the FCC and handheld microphone, and the curly you receive a paper certificate that What about DSC? type allows for stretch if you need you can keep in your ship’s papers Digital Selective Calling (DSC) more length. Most overhead VHF binder. This will include your call combines a VHF radio with your radios dangle the cable in your line sign and the Restricted Radiotele- MMSI (registered vessel information of sight, which can be a nuisance. phone Operator Permit grants a entered into the VHF memory) and I’ve seen some interesting and clever specific person permission to com- GPS to send a distress signal with solutions to tuck away the cord so municate on the airwaves in foreign the push of a button. This will alert it does not obstruct your view. A waters. You are not required to have all vessels in the area that you are simple hook to swing it out of your a Ship Station License while in U.S. in trouble and provide your vessel view is easy to install. waters, but it is mandatory if you details as well as your position via cross borders and travel internation- latitude and longitude. You can dial Maintenance? ally. The FCC.gov site has more a friend directly through Channel There is not a lot of maintenance details on requirements, but they 70 — it will ring in their boat, then involved in VHF radios. The anten- reemphasize that the primary pur- switch to a working channel. na is commonly made of fiberglass pose for communications is safety, and the weather will deteriorate it. and secondarily for operational and What is an MMSI number VHF antennas work better the tall- navigational efficiency. used for? er they are (often one of the highest Another component in the back- vertical points on the boat). Most What is your call sign? ground of your VHF radio registra- are installed with a clamp bracket Vessel call signs are another legacy tion is your MMSI number. MMSI near the base that you can adjust from the older days of boating. Back stands for Maritime Mobile Service when traveling on inland waters to then, when boats were using VHF to Identity and is nine digits long. Your tilt and lower the antenna to clear chat, they would identify themselves MMSI number gives you a signature under a bridge. VHF antennas need by an alpha (three letters) numeric for your navigation and communi- to be replaced on average every 10 (four numbers), using the nauti- cation and lets other vessels know years. They get weathered being cal alphabet, for example, Whiskey who you are. Think of it as your exposed to the elements, and deteri- Tango Foxtrot 6678. Now it is marine phone number. You can also orated fiberglass whiskers can enter more common to hail using vessel make direct contact on Channel 70 your skin. Make sure your guests names and is made even easier with by calling another vessel if you have know what they are and don’t use
14 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com them as handholds when moving a variety of relevant cruising videos. ing column and is constantly looking about. Your mic can get gunked up, Merrill is active in the cruising com- for new ideas to improve and simplify as I’ve seen some trawler owners use munity as a public speaker and writer cruising and better enjoy the trawler the high-pressure air cans common and enjoys spending time at sea with lifestyle. If you have a suggestion or for computer keyboards to clear out clients. Jeff has written several articles want to get in touch, please email the sputter and splatter they accu- for Ocean Navigator’s Power Voyag- Merrill, [email protected] . mulate. Many flybridge trawlers have a removable hand mic and cord (to keep out of the weather when not in use). The attachment connections should be covered when not in use and I’ve seen some owners tuck the portable mic and cord into a close- able plastic bag with a silica gel pack to wick moisture. Use the plastic cover lids to minimize UV damage and preserve the clarity of display screens.
Recap • Monitor Channel 16 — the inter- national channel for hailing and distress. • Apply for your Ship Station License (and get the Radio Opera- tor Permit). • Know your call sign and post it near your VHF. • Know your MMSI number and post it near your VHF. Dialing in your VHF radio is easy. This is the best communication device on your boat and something you should become familiar with and comfortable operating. n
Jeff Merrill, CPYB, is the president of Jeff Merrill Yacht Sales, Inc.- www. JMYS.com. He is a veteran yacht bro- ker who provides individual attention and worldwide professional representa- tion to buyers and sellers of recreational tugs and trawlers. He also has a popu- lar YouTube channel that includes
www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 15 SHORT TACKS
During a pandemic, flexibility is key By Laurie Thyrre The wheelhouse was scat- out can subvert the potential ing slowly across Europe, the tered with guidebooks extol- opportunities right in front first country to open their ling the virtues and sites to of you. doors was Italy. Thus, when behold in and around the Never has it been more we reached our own “V1” Baltic — fjords in Sweden important for cruisers to be on Gratitude, we decided to and Norway, Danish in Den- flexible. This was an oppor- head to the Mediterranean. mark, history-laden Poland, tunity to re-arrange the plan, We left Portugal on June and enough lager to sink and in doing so, we would 15th, the first day that Por- a barge in Germany. The likely be the only Americans tugal opened their borders to chartplotters are littered with in Italy this summer. departures. The first stop was waypoints and anchorages With openings happen- Gibraltar where we got some promising long, lazy days soaking in the vistas of the Swedish archipelago. Yet days from departure, the course line from Portugal was 090° — rather than 350°. Another casualty of the COVID-19 debacle, our summer plans were completely upended, and a new plan emerged. V1 is the speed at which a pilot must make the deci- sion, during the take-off roll, to continue the take-off or abort and stop on the remaining runway. Similarly, Laurie Thyrre when making a long passage and her family aboard Gratitude, we have to had planned to decide at which point we will cruise in north- reverse course or continue to ern Europe the destination if an emer- during the gency develops. Having these summer, but points in mind prevents the pandemic languishing for too long or changed their holding too tightly to any focus. one plan. In this case, sec- onds won’t change the out- come, but days spent waiting
for the original plan to pan Laurie Thyrre
16 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com heard the moans of those who have dealt with the swarms of summer tourists overrunning anchorages and towns alike. Forewarned and armed with a strategy, we were surprised when we arrived at the first then the second anchorage with room to spare. Trips to town revealed the same — COVID had stopped the migration of thou- sands of travelers to these Medi- terranean hotspots. The cruising Left, with the guides counsel readers to make res- pandemic, tour- ervations early during the summer ist numbers months, but as this was a largely were down. unplanned “seat-of-the-pants” Here are the summer, we decided to make it up Thyrres at the as we went. Despite the warnings Fatima shrine to the contrary, we found last- in Portugal. minute reservations in all marinas Below, the har- for either the day requested or bor at Palma, within a day or two after — even
Laurie Thyrre Mallorca had in Palma, Mallorca where we were berthing avail- berthed steps from the Cathedral able. right in the town center. fuel, provisions and a bit of time no lines in tourist sites and cafés According to Travelpulse.com, outside of the Schengen area. Due within that time. So far so good — up to eight large cruise ships a day to COVID, we had overstayed our on to the Balearic Islands. If you typically arrive in the town center legal welcome in the Schengen haven’t been there, you likely have — although they were non-existent zone. While the Schengen website suggests that individual countries offer leniency, how lenient any one place will be is still to be deter- mined.
No tourist crush The next stop was Cartagena, Spain, where our research indicat- ed that early morning forays into the town were advised in order to avoid the cruise ship passenger crush later in the day. We were there for one week and experienced Laurie Thyrre www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 17 SHORT TACKS
during our time in Palma. From tions for persons entering from the Segway tour to the Bellver Spain require a negative COVID Castle, everything we did in Palma test. that week was absent the throngs When we asked friends and of summer vacationers. family about traveling to Italy in I have heard of similar tales the summer, the responses were from the States of tour operators enthusiastic across the board, hungry for business and dying on although the attendant, “But the the vine due to the lack of tourists. crowds!” caveat always had us a lit- But among those with whom we tle worried. While I don’t imagine spoke, there is no desperation to be we are going to be the only tourists found. In fact, every person from visiting Vatican City in September, wait staff to taxi driver seemed we did have a surreal experience positively delighted to have their visiting one of the most sacred and islands and homes to themselves. busy pilgrimage sites in Portugal According to shop and restaurant at the beginning of the COVID owners who spoke to us, the loss outbreak. We were three of per- of roughly 70 percent of the usual haps 30 or fewer visitors at the tourist traffic has been an accept- Cathedral at Fatima, usually over- able trade-off to the peace of their run with the faithful during Lent. communities. According to the While our hearts go out to those World Tourism Barometer, the suffering from the effects of this lockdown imposed in response to horrific virus, our experiences — the pandemic resulted in a loss of thus far — have luckily been good 98 percent of international tour- ones with the ability to see these ists. “This translates into a fall of magnificent Mediterranean gems 300 million tourists and US$320 without the attendant masses. billion lost in international tourism As boaters, we are accustomed receipts — more than three times to “going with the flow” — this the loss during the Global Eco- attitude is a necessary part of any nomic Crisis of 2009,” the press venture involving the uncertain- release points out. ties of weather, machine and health and governmental regula- Arriving in Sardinia tion. Never more than now has a Though Italy was the first Euro- healthy appreciation for flexibility pean nation to open its borders, it been such a boon! Take a look remains open only to persons arriv- around and see where you can find ing from elsewhere in the Euro- a similar pot of gold. pean zone, which is why Gratitude and her family will likely be three Laurie Thyrre is a retired airline of few other U.S. citizens in Italy pilot who voyages with her husband this summer. We just arrived in Alec, also a retired pilot, and son Sardinia, Italy where new regula- Jack.
18 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com Boat show lemonade By Robert Beringer
It’s been a tough year for an ongoing virtual show. They while social distancing respon- the businesses of the world. maintained all 450 exhibitors, sibly,” said Vicky Yu, Director There was no precedent for who quickly created video of Business Intelligence at the COVID-19 pandemic walk-throughs, educational National Marine Manufactur- and no instruction manual on videos and web-seminars led ers Association. what to do. With the rapid by industry experts. They also I’m in the market for a new shutdown of all public venues featured “Docks”, which was boat and it has been shocking (sporting events, concerts, a series of virtual boat tours how difficult it is to locate a The Palm religious gatherings, even res- and product demonstrations, good match for me and my Beach Inter- taurants), it was no surprise as well as “Stage”, a series of family. Good boats are hard national when the boat shows of the seminars and fishing presenta- to find; even when they’re Boat Show in world followed suit. If you’ve tions. available, they sell quickly. It’s pre-COVID-19 never been to a boat show, you “The support from the counterintuitive, but despite days. should know that there is no marine community has been the recession, people are buy- better place to start (and fin- remarkable,” said Andrew ing a lot of boats. “I’ve never ish) your search for a boat. It’s Doole, president of Informa a great event for networking Markets’ U.S. Boat Shows, with like-minded mariners. “And the feedback from our There are hundreds of build- participants has proven that ers and suppliers from around there is a clear interest in the the world, all in one place for virtual boat show experience, two or more crazy days. One as well as a pent-up demand by one they were cancelled, for boating.” all with an optimistic outlook The show has pulled in and a promise that they would 15,000 subscribers so far and be back, better than ever, in anticipates the upward trend 2021. in sales will continue. This But at least one show took virtual show opens up boating those sour lemons and made to new audiences and creates a lemonade. new desire for boating and life Cindi Perantoni For the first time in its on the water. seen a buying frenzy like this,” 35-year history, the Palm One of the great head- marveled one boat dealer in a Beach International Boat scratching ironies of the pan- recent industry survey. n Show — one of the five big- demic has been that, although gest in the U.S. — was fac- it shut down most recreational Robert Beringer is a marine ing cancellation. But with activities, the demand for journalist/photographer and teamwork and innovative boats and boat-sharing clubs author of Water Power! To technology, the show ran as has gone through the roof. order a copy, go to www.barne- planned in May. It moved off “Boating provides families sandnoble.com/w/water-power- the docks and onto digital with a restorative way to robert-beringer/1121938666?e screens, reinventing itself as escape and enjoy the water an=2940151920025. www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 19 Into the DenmarkSTORY Strait AND PHOTOS BY MARY MCINTYRE bristlingly cold The ship bobbed and world’s northern oceans in gale whipped rolled comfortably over early March. The weather is across the silvery the first swell it had felt in notoriously cold and stormy. North Atlantic and months. The waves gained But in my mind, the cross- The Arctic upA the narrow fjord. The power quickly, however, and ing was a means to getting to expedition wind rattled against Aurora, seasickness began to set in. I the wild areas in Greenland sloop Aurora a 60-foot bright red sailing haven’t fared poorly on past where we planned to ski. at anchor in yacht, as it chugged slowly sailing excursions, but I had We started preparing for her home out of the Ísafjörður harbor. been diagnosed with mono- this expedition in the fall of waters in Aurora was scheduled to be nucleosis a few weeks earlier 2019. We had eight spots to Iceland’s West my home for the next three and the strong antiviral med- fill on the boat and wanted Fjords. weeks on a passage from ication made me woozy even a group that would not only Iceland to Greenland. When on solid ground. have fun while sharing tight we arrived in Greenland, we From the early stages of quarters for weeks on end, planned to spend two and a planning this trip, I experi- but also bring a variety of half weeks of exploratory ski- enced trepidation regarding skills and knowledge to our ing along Greenland’s remote the open-water crossing off-the-grid adventure. Deci- west coast. It would be an from Iceland to Greenland. sions about snowpack safety expedition with some of my Most sailors — and humans and route choice would be best friends and ski partners. in general — avoid the ours alone to make, and we
20 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com Left, Aurora’s 70° scenarios, simulated pulling N intended and someone back to the boat on S E A I C E actual routes. An a rescue sled, and honed our KALAALLIT NUNAAT i t r a earlier weather S t skills as a team. The weather (GREENLAND) k a r Ísafjordur window and m was terrible; blizzards, strong n e Aurora would D Ísland winds and low visibility were 65° (Iceland) likely have made t i a r t S s i v a D forecasted for the two weeks Nuuk Turnaround Greenland, but point ahead. Our chances of leav- then perhaps ing the harbor anywhere S E A I C E Projected course stuck there as the close to on-schedule looked world shut down. 60° bleak. Captain Hayat, a Below, from left, Icebergs Frenchwoman well-practiced Corinne Pre- in Arctic sailing, and two vot, Ilka Hadlock, 55° 50° 45° 40° 35° 30° 25° 20° 15° W Polish crew members, Pitur Keree Smith, and Voychek, constantly needed to get things right. boats bobbed in a half-frozen Mary McIntyre checked and analyzed the If an accident happened in harbor, the eaves of color- (author), Camilla weather. Finally, over a din- the mountains of Greenland, ful houses were draped with Edwards, Flor- ner of local Arctic char and we would be on our own to icicles, and 2,000-foot-high ence Gross, Marie buttery potatoes, they told render aid and evacuate any rock walls rising above town Charpentier, Not us a weather window had serious injuries. That was were painted white with pictured: Julia opened for us to make it out the part I was familiar with. months of snow. It was a Olsen. Photo- of Iceland and around the As a skier, runner, climber, beautiful place to wait for bomb: Voychek, southern tip of Greenland and mountain biker living the weather to improve. one of Aurora’s with favorable winds. It was in Utah, listening to the We practiced avalanche deckhands. time to pack the boat. mountains is second nature. The ocean … not so much. That felt like a big, scary unknown. The idea of being on open water between Ice- land and Greenland for four days terrified me. The days leading up to the boat’s departure were filled with uncertainty and stress. Our group — hailing from the U.S., Switzerland, France, and Greenland — worked the stress out of our systems by backcountry skiing in the mountains surrounding the town of Ísafjörður. Nestled against the edge of the dark sea, this small hub of Iceland’s West Fjords region was pictur- esque and charming. Fishing www.oceannavigator.com OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 21 Discussing the plan icebergs breaking loose from it would be a “dynamic After we settled in and the tongue of ice curling crossing” because we’d be stowed our gear in the boat’s down along the coast. We zigzagging between two many storage compart- would sail further south depressions. With a crew of ments, we sat down to dis- to avoid these house-sized The author’s just three people, the sail- cuss the plan. It turned out chunks of ice before turning cabin on Auro- ors were happy to have our that the “sailable weather” north to enter the relative ra after return- help, so it was important we was 40-knot winds and a calm of the western fjords. ing to Iceland; all knew the general plan. 5-meter (16-foot) swell. It “Most people don’t sail vomit pails Ilka Hadlock, hailing from wasn’t ideal, but these prac- this time of year, but actually, and gear scat- Maine, had sailed exten- ticed Arctic sailors seemed it is safer to leave earlier in tered about sively growing up and was unphased, so I tried to calm the spring because the ice is due to the wild our most experienced crew my nerves. Due to the wind, still frozen,” Hayat explained. weather. member. Keree Smith, from we would arc north to avoid “Once the weather warms, Oregon, had recently gotten a depression directly off more ice begins breaking her captain’s license and was the Icelandic coast before off, and it can be difficult ready to work on deck as turning south down Green- to avoid, especially in the well. Corinne Prevot, from land’s east coast, which was dark!” She met our wide- Vermont, would be the third chock-full of winter sea ice eyed, nervous glances with a member of our group to and offered no chance of smile. Now, with cold winter assist, while the rest of us, it boat landing. Rounding the weather on our side, we’d turned out, were overcome southern tip of Greenland have a lower chance of hit- with seasickness. would be the crux: winds ting scattered icebergs as we Besides preparing our meet from opposite direc- rounded the southern tip. group for the crossing, Hayat tions and often cause wild Pitur showed us a wind also regaled us with tales of waves to mix with massive map and explained that Greenland itself. She had
22 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com spent months exploring the perspective. We talk about overwhelmed with patients nation’s jagged coastline sustainability, we gather and death tolls were rising by boat and spoke of high- Keree Smith food, and work as a team. It’s at unprecedented rates. As walled fjords that cut entirely works on a great learning experience.” increasingly alarming Coro- through the island. “I’m breakfast in She approaches sailing with navirus news reached us in excited to bring you there the galley. The a deeply reflective, almost Ísafjörður, we felt lucky to and see what you can do classic Ice- spiritual attitude. “We’re all be heading into the wilder- with your skis,” she told us landic fare of running around like crazy ness on a boat stocked with excitedly. “You need to have fresh fish and in this modern world. This three months of provisions. the wind right, the ice right potatoes were is an opportunity to be deep Was that not the best place and the tide right to make it eaten in abun- with yourself and enjoy each to be during the outbreak of through there. It’s a very wild dance. moment. It’s very special. It’s a global pandemic?! We also place almost no one goes.” The more I heard, the more thrilled I was to make land on the other side. Visit- ing Greenland; walking and skiing among its mountains and meeting its people had been on my mind for the past five years, and I was eager to finally reach its shores. The energy on the boat was palpable. We had a young female captain, eight female skiers between the ages of 27 and 47, and two Polish men who added a contrasting yet complemen- tary component to our crew. intense, uncomfortable. After knew that after being on the They baked bread, cooked us each crossing, I’m not the boat for nearly three weeks, three meals a day and kept us same person I was before.” we would be effectively laughing at Polish jokes. With that in mind, I quarantined, meaning we Hayat’s goals in Greenland steeled myself for the jour- wouldn’t bring any poten- extended far beyond bring- ney ahead. It felt like a tial sickness with us to the ing foregin recreationalists good time to be casting off people of Greenland. like us to visit. She was most toward pristine mountains interested in working with and fish-filled fjords as the Seasick locals to get out and enjoy world devolved into mayhem As soon as the frothy storm their incredible natural envi- behind us. Borders in Europe swell hit Aurora’s bow exit- ronment. “We need to put were slamming shut and ing the protected harbor, I our energy in the younger the U.S. was implementing stumbled down below to my generation because ours is sweeping travel bans. The bunk. The sailboat crashed f***ed. I love bringing kids stock market dropped. The back and forth between on the boat to show them global economy was in tat- waves with a violence I their home from another ters. Hospitals in Italy were hadn’t expected. As the hours
OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 23 stretched on, I struggled with Right, after basic, necessary tasks. Taking sailing a sip of water meant minutes through of preparation and recovery, the storm, walking 10 steps to the head the calmest felt like a Herculean effort, weather we dressing myself in waterproof encountered outerwear and donning a life was at the jacket to go on deck, impos- turn-around sible. I couldn’t tolerate lift- point. Below, ing my head off the pillow. fleeting sun- So, although I knew fresh air shine strikes was the only way to break Aurora’s lone- into pails. I had a nightmare did it! Enough! … But then, this horrible spell of seasick- ly mainsail that our plan had gotten the clouds parted, and I saw ness, I was stuck in the tiny on the open derailed by one of the storms more stars than ever, not in four-bunk area with two of ocean. and that we were anchored, normal constellations, but my cabinmates vomiting weathering it out in one of like rice across the sky…” Iceland’s many fjords. Maybe Meanwhile, I had been we hadn’t actually gone any- having a similar experience where, and these awful hours in my bunk. I was asking had been for nothing. But myself, WHY? Why did I I eventually mustered the choose to do this? Then I energy to check my GPS and switched tactics. The rock- found that we were, indeed, ing feels good. This is fun. A in the middle of the ocean. It good experience. And then felt terrifying. CRASH, my positive mind- I finally fought my way set would shatter as I was into the galley after 16 hours, tossed against the side of my knowing that sustenance was bunk. The mast ran through necessary to gain the energy the boat at the foot of my to feel better. A small mound bunk and all night it whined of leftover oatmeal waited for eerily, groaning like a wild me on the stove. I chewed animal in pain. I heard waves slowly, willing it to stay smashing into the portholes down. Voychek, who was and breaking onto the deck below after finishing a night- overhead. I was terrified. watch, looked as exhausted Would we survive? and haggard as I felt from my night in bed. A voyage decision “I was out there, alone, After 24 hours of rough seas, thinking … what am I try- Hayat called a team meet- ing to prove?” Voychek said. ing. It was the first time the “This isn’t something a nor- entire crew had been togeth- mal person does. Am I trying er since we left the harbor a to show I can get wet and day earlier. Faces were pale cold like the others? Okay, I and several people hugged
24 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com barf buckets like teddy the boat ripping in two as bears. We sat around the we broke through sea ice table as she told us the news: to reach town. After get- Greenland had officially ting some sleep, everyone closed its borders to sea and slowly emerged from the air travel. Siggi, the owner hazey 48-hour twilight zone of Aurora, had been in con- experience, happy to be tied tact with Greenland’s Coast to solid ground. The men Guard. They knew we were had deep, dark circles under en route, so maybe we could their eyes. Over breakfast, be counted as an exception. Pitur joked, “The reefline Complicating matters, broke, but at least nobody however, Hayat had been got pregnant!” I laughed, in her bunk for the past 12 confused. I guess that’s a hours and revealed that she Camilla Polish sailing joke. But also, thought she had pneumonia. Edwards the reefline broke?! Because of this, she wasn’t skins up for a As we caught up with helping sail the vessel, mean- ski run above international news, we ing the two deckhands were the town of learned things had changed doing everything — forced Isafjordur on quickly during our short to stay awake for long hours a rare blue- sailing foray. It was time to in the freezing cold. Hayat bird day. head home if we wanted and Siggi had talked a few to get home at all. Julia, was scheduled to leave in minutes earlier via satellite our Greenlandic friend, two hours. We scrambled phone and decided it was had the tightest timetable. to pack and get to the air- unsafe for us to continue The borders were closing to port. It felt surreal lifting to Greenland. Hayat’s eyes locals in two days and the off from the tiny snow-lined were teary as she shared the weather was still so bad that runway, seeing the red of news. I was crushed that most flights were cancelled. Aurora shrink into the dis- this trip we’d poured time “You’re so strong,” Corinne tance, hoping that we would and money into for months sympathized, referring to be back to try this journey was getting shut down, but Julia’s calm reaction to the again. Or, maybe the world it was apparent that she was chaos. If she didn’t make would become an entirely just as disappointed. The it home before the closure, different place, and our voyage to Greenland was she might not see her hus- dream trip would stand in over, but we still had 24 band and two children for my memory as one of the hours of stormy sailing to a month or longer. “I’m wildest, scariest things I’ve get back to Iceland. just smiling because I don’t attempted. Only time will Pitur and Voychek know what else to do,” Julia tell. n worked around the clock to replied. backtrack through 60-knot This was how we got Mary McIntyre grew up gales. We finally returned to through the next several in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains Ísafjörður in the early hours days of hurry up and wait. and is a photographer and of the morning after a wild Smiling because there wasn’t writer as well as a skier, biker, and windy ride up the fjord. much else to do. Suddenly, kayaker, runner, and some- I woke to what sounded like the first flight out of town times sailor. www.oceannavigator.com OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 25 We asked a group of voyagers about their Battery survey vessel’s batteries and their future battery plans
hat type of bat- tery setup might Wmake sense for your voyaging needs? We reached out to a selection of active liveaboard voyagers to get a sense of what they are using to power their vessels. Here are their answers to our survey questions.
Jon and Sue Hacking Jon Hacking has lived aboard the Wauquiez Kronos 45 catamaran Ocelot with his wife and fellow voyager Sue since 2001. Their travels took them through the eastern and southern Caribbean, through Panama, across the Pacific, through South- east Asia, and across the North Indian Ocean to South Africa in 2007. In 2009, they sailed back across the Indian and have been rattling around Southeast Asia ever since. They document their trav- els on their website (not a blog) at svOcelot.com, and their information for other cruisers is at svocelot.com/ Cruise_Info/cruising_info.
htm. Jon and Sue Hacking
26 www.oceannavigator.com THINK RUGGED Ocean Navigator: What South China Sea from EXCEPTIONAL type of batteries do you Singapore to Borneo, the have installed on your boat engine started showing low (i.e., lead-acid flooded cell, oil pressure. I switched over DEPENDABLE gel cell, AGM, or Li-ion or to the port engine, but the other)? alternator on that engine Jon Hacking: We started only had a “dumb” regula- with gels but have now tor. I’d set the voltage to moved to lithium iron 13.8v, and that had always phosphate (LiFePO4). been fine, but the regulator When we bought Ocelot didn’t have a temperature in 2001, she had gel cell sensor. There were 8 amps batteries but they were going into the batteries, shot. So, we paid $500 but I assumed that number for 660Ah (three 8D bat- would go down and all teries) of “factory‑second” would be fine. gels. Apparently, they’d Wrong! 8 amps at 12v been on the factory floor is 100W, which made the too long to sell as new. batteries slightly warmer, Our distinctive red cases are These lasted well for us, which caused them to well-recognized around the world but we replaced them accept more current, which and represent our longstanding seven years later in made them warmer, which commitment to deliver products South Africa, having to caused them to accept even with exceptional quality, reliability pay $3,000 for 660Ah of more current, etc. It’s called and support. top quality Sonnenschein “thermal runaway” and is Flooded models include gels. not talked about much, Advanced NAM carbon In theory, these Son- but it’s one reason why all additive for quicker, nenschein gels should have lead‑acid batteries should more efficient charging; lasted 2,500 cycles, almost have temperature sensors improving performance and seven years, if cycled down connected to their charging cycle life. Just one more reason to 50 percent. We only circuits. When I checked an to choose Rolls batteries. ever cycled them down hour later, I had 45A going about 20 percent (130Ah) into our already full batter- and usually much less than ies, and they were too hot that (typically 80Ah/night, to hold my hand against. mostly from our fridge/ In one hour of overcharg- freezer), so they should ing, we’d ruined 660Ah of have lasted even longer. expensive gel batteries, and When they were eight years they only had about 240Ah old in 2016, however, of capacity left. Lesson while motoring across the learned: Always use a tem- PREMIUM, LONG LASTING perature sensor when charg- MARINE BATTERIES SINCE 1959 Jon and Sue Hacking’s cat Ocelot ing lead‑acid batteries. ROLLSBATTERY.COM has a complement of solar pan- While researching what els for battery charging. to replace my cooked gels www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 27 BATTERIES
with (from the back of batteries can be discharged ly, we loved our LiFePO4s! when it was time to switch nowhere in Indonesia), I down to 10 percent without They were considerably down to Float. We never came across some Chinese ill effects, so we’d only need smaller and much lighter plug into shore power, so LiFePO4 batteries that a much smaller bank. So, than our gels. They charged I didn’t worry about our we could get delivered to they’re smaller, lighter, and up really quickly, and the ancient Heart 1500W us. We’d been looking they claimed 5,000 cycles, voltage hardly dropped inverter/charger. I checked at LiFePO4 for a while, or over 13 years lifetime. So, at all as they discharged. each cell’s voltage peri- but still considered them in 2017, we bought 300Ah Amazingly flat charge/ odically. They were always “bleeding‑edge” and not yet (270Ah usable capacity) of discharge curves, and they within 0.01v of each other, suitable for a cruising boat, LiFePO4 batteries manufac- sucked up as much cur- so eventually I stopped but some of the specs were tured by the Chinese com- rent as we could throw at checking. compelling. Discharging pany Hi-Power, which now them. Our Blue Sky Energy Our new LiFePO4 bat- lead‑acid batteries below 50 appears defunct. SB50 Maximum Power teries came with an expen- percent will start doing per- Point Tracking (MPPT) sive Batrium Battery Man- manent damage to them, ON: How satisfied are you solar controller was flexible agement System (BMS) so our previous 660Ah gels with your battery setup? enough that I could reset that never worked well and really only had 330Ah of JH: Not very, but some of the charge‑ and float‑points, eventually corroded into usable capacity. LiFePO4 that is my own fault. Initial- so that was easy. I’d recently oblivion. Our battery com- installed new (and very partment is under the helm smart) external alternator and therefore protected — regulators. They were both although certainly exposed fully programmable and to salt air — and the BMS had a LiFePO4 setting. Per- board wasn’t sealed to haps more important, they protect it. My research at connected to our amp‑hour the time showed that the Jon and Sue Hacking shunt to sense the current LiFePO4s would last longer going into the battery, so if only charged to 13.9v. they knew exactly when This is true to a point, but the batteries were full and LiFePO4 cells were (and
Above, the Hackings use balacing units on each battery. Right, Ocelot spends plenty of time in the tropics where solar charging is plentiful.
28 www.oceannavigator.com are) still new enough that lent performance, one cell After a week, I’d crank the When we bought Ocelot it’s very hard to make them drifted low — while we had voltage up by 0.1v and let in 2001, we immediately absolutely identical, espe- friends on board in a storm. them sit there for a week or installed 4x120W = 480W cially in internal resistance. Of course. This eventually so. I eventually got them up of Kyocera panels above Since the cells aren’t exactly triggered an alarm, but not to 14.4v (3.6v/cell), which the davits and installed a the same, they don’t accept before some possibly perma- is the maximum recom- Blue Sky Energy SB50 the same amount of charge, nent damage was done. The mended charging voltage MPPT controller to ride nor do they discharge at the Australian dealer that we for these LiFePO4 batter- herd on them, wiring them same rate, so the voltage bought the LiFePO4s from ies. As I write this, we’re in two parallel strings of across each cell tends to drift said that we only needed to still using these cells, but two panels, as we have a bit. Therefore, LiFePO4 rebalance the cells. I haven’t done a complete very little shading. This cells need to be balanced Eventually, we received discharge test, so I don’t minimized wiring losses. periodically, and this has to and installed some active know how much real capac- But the panels started fail- happen at higher voltages, balance modules from Elec- ity they have left. My gut ing, and in 2008 they were typically 14.2 to 14.4v. tric Car Parts Company. I tells me not to trust them replaced under warranty. Since our cells never got programmed our MPPTs too far. Kyocera apparently had to those elevated voltages, to bring the batteries up to some bad panels come out the BMS never triggered a 14.0v for a couple of hours ON: What is your usual in 2001. We were very balance cycle, and after two each day to let the balance recharging routine? impressed with their service. and a half years of excel- modules do their thing. JH: In short, we use solar. They even picked up the
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air‑freight to Malaysia! solar panels having replaced A few years ago, we the 80Ah we typically use added some flexible overnight. panels, but they never Ocelot is a catamaran worked very well. In late with two engines, each 2019, we threw out all with an extra alternator, of our solar panels and so we have four alterna- bought new 72‑cell panels, tors. Each is connected to 3 x 400W = 1,200W total, a “Very Smart Regulator” from Powitt Solar. We were (VSR, the predecessor to the a bit leery of buying Chi- WakeSpeed WS‑500) to nese panels, but they carry protect our batteries, but we a 12‑year materials and rarely need to run an engine workmanship guarantee, a just to charge the batteries. 30‑year performance guar- We never plug into a dock, antee, and at only 50¢/W or we’d have to charge them for top quality monocrystal- for our excess electricity! line panels, they were quite a bargain! ON: What are your future At present, each panel battery plans? feeds its own MPPT con- JH: Good question. We’re troller. They were just what still thinking about this. was available locally in the We’ll soon replace our Philippines, so we’ll prob- balance modules with a ably replace them when we proper BMS. It also does can. Our current charging active balancing, but only at profile, which is still being much less current than the evaluated, is to have the dedicated modules. We’re MPPTs charge the battery trying to get new LiFePO4 to 13.9v every day, but batteries from RJ in China, to also do an “equalize” as they have a good reputa- charge to 14.4v for an hour tion, but the pandemic is or so every week to let the interfering with the shipping balance modules balance to us in the Philippines. the cells. I prefer to have We want to go with at least all of my chargers actually 400Ah, but the prices are measure the current into coming down to less than the battery and to only $3/Ah delivered, so we’re switch to Float when the considering some interesting current into the battery gets possibilities. If we go to, say, down to 1 percent of the 1,000Ah and add another amp‑hour capacity of the couple of 400W solar panels battery. Only our ancient above the bimini to bring SB50 does that. Still, the our capacity up to 2KW, we battery is usually fully could convert to an all‑elec- charged by 11 a.m., the tric galley, add an electric
30 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com dive‑compressor, or even run a small air conditioner just off the solar system. Hmmm…
Neville and Catherine Hockley Neville and Catherine Hockley set sail from New York in 2007 on Dream Time, their 1981 Cabo Rico, and in 13 years have sailed 48,000 nautical miles. They are near the end of their world voyage and are currently refitting their boat in Florida while COVID- 19 restricts movement. They plan to close the loop and sail back to New York next year. To learn more about their voyage and cruising gear, visit their website at: zeroXTE.com.
Ocean Navigator: What type of batteries do you have installed on your boat? Neville and Catherine Hockley: Dream Time has two 12-volt 235-amp hour Exide Gel house batteries and a single 12-volt Optima AGM Redtop starter bat- tery.
ON: How satisfied are you with your battery setup? How well does it work for you? N&CH: We’re extremely happy with our power
The Hockley’s Cabo Rico 38 Dream Time has solar, wind and
towed water generators. Neville Hockley www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 31 BATTERIES
arrangement. Our batteries Thankfully we’ve never had between amp consump- On a sunny tropical day have performed remark- an issue, and our house bat- tion and renewable energy. at anchor, we can expect 10 ably well during 13 years of teries are 11 years old and When we’re anchored in to 12 amps from our solar world voyaging. The vast still going strong. normal tropical conditions, panels and another 10 to majority of our time has we rarely need to run our 15 amps from our D400 if been unplugged and far ON: What is your usual generator; we have two the trades are sporty. That’s from the dock, either pas- recharging routine? 85-watt solar panels — tiny more than enough to keep sagemaking or at anchor, N&CH: We’ve found a by today’s standards, but our boat charged, run our so we rely on them heavily. balance on Dream Time they fit neatly above our 12-volt watermaker every bimini (we don’t want two to three days and the Dream Time looking like inverter a few hours each an overloaded pack mule). night. When we’re sailing We also have a D400 wind (averaging around 6 knots generator — an impres- SOG), in addition to our sive upgrade from our old solar and wind turbine, Dream Time Ampair wind turbine — our towed generator pro- Neville Hockley has two 235- and have recently added a vides another 5 amps. This amp hour gel rebuilt Aquair tow generator doesn’t sound like much, cell batteries. to our charging inventory. but we crossed the Atlantic
32 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com this year from the Mediter- the Panama Canal. They ranean, down the West spent seven years getting Coast of Africa and over across in their 1980 CSY to the Caribbean — 4,000 44 monohull. By 2015, nautical miles while operat- they were ready for a newer, ing our autopilot RAM, faster, more comfortable Chartplotter, sailing instru- boat, so switched to a ments, fridge/freezer com- 2004 St Francis 44 MK II pressor, lights, VHF, AIS, catamaran. They have spent and mobile devices. Not the past six years exploring once did we have to run much of eastern SE Asia, our engine or generator for making a number of signifi- power or propulsion! We cant modifications to their left a totally green wake. new cruising home. During Our house batteries that time, they have been have lasted so long — our as far north as Luzon in the previous gels also lasted 10 Philippines, east to Palau, years — because they rarely south to the Solomons and fall below 60 amps. Nowa- west to Singapore. Once the days, Dream Time is pow- pandemic is over, they plan ered almost entirely by the to head further west to the sun, the wind and the sea. Mediterranean.
ON: What are your future Ocean Navigator: What battery plans? type of batteries do you N&CH: As our house batter- have installed on your boat? ies are more than a decade (i.e., lead-acid flooded cell, old, they don’t owe us any- gel cell, AGM, or Li-ion or thing. We’ve had great suc- other)? cess with gels, so when the Dave & Sherry McCamp- lights begin to dim, we’ll bell: We are currently get a fresh set. using Sonnenschein 6-volt Solarbloc Gel SB-6 200- Dave and Sherry amp hour batteries. These McCampbell are premium gel batteries. After a career as a U.S. They were purchased new Naval officer, Dave, along in 2007, and so are now with Sherry, an industrial more than 13 years old. engineer and computer They still have plenty of programmer, left Florida in capacity and rest at 12.9v May of 2007 and headed while we are full-time cruis- west across the Pacific via ing. Based on their current performance, we think they
Dave McCampbell still have several more years The McCampbells’ voyaging of use available. Our previ- boat, Soggy Paws, is a St. Fran- ous batteries were well cared cis 44 Mark II cat. for, high end, Rolls Battery www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 33 BATTERIES
L-16 flooded lead-acid. temperature-compensated, charge by mid-day, leaving ity, reliable lithium system They lasted nearly a decade. three-stage charging source the rest of the day to float involves considerable study, Our earlier Trojan 6v golf with acceptance set at no to full charge. We rarely charging system modifica- cart batteries typically lasted more than 14.1 volts. Their use our backup charging tions and additional mainte- three to five years and Tro- cycle life is extraordinary. sources, which include two nance equipment purchase. jan L-16s five to seven years, small, externally-regulated But ordering them directly even with good care and ON: What is your usual alternators and a Sterling from the manufacturer in solar charging in the tropics. recharging routine? 60-amp shore charger. nearby China now saves D&SM: We are mainly We have switches in the us a considerable amount ON: How satisfied are you using 800 watts of mono- alternator field wires so we of money. There are many with your battery setup? crystalline solar panels and can keep them off and turn advantages for full-time D&SM: We are very well a 60-amp Morningstar them on only if needed. cruisers with modern satisfied! Although the gels TS-60 MPPT controller And we have yet to use the lithium batteries, but they are a bit more expensive while cruising full time in shore charger since pur- are not for everyone. Others than flooded lead-acid, we the tropics. Since we are on chase four years ago. Even in the U.S. might do better believe not having to keep a catamaran and the panels sitting at the dock, we don’t with gels. It sure would be up with watering and equal- are mounted horizontally plug shore power into the simpler! izing and the significant well aft, there is only mini- charger, as the solar handles added cycle life is worth the mal occasional mast shad- our normal loads. Dick and Ginger Stevenson added price. They require ing. Our daily energy usage Dick Stevenson retired no maintenance other than is approximately 150-amp ON: What are your future with his wife, Ginger, in being kept in a cool, dry hours, with half that over- battery plans? 2002 and sold their house location — not the engine night, so we are normally D&SM: We are amazed at and cars to move aboard room — and use of a done with the acceptance the gel batteries we inher- their cutter, Alchemy, a ited with our catamaran Valiant 42. They already five years ago. Here in the had 25 years of cruising Philippines, they are actu- the Northeastern U.S. ally harder to get and more (Bermuda to Maine) with expensive than the quality their three children, and lithium we just received since 2002 have wandered directly from China. the Northwest Caribbean, Because we know our gels Bahamas and parts of the won’t last forever, and we eastern Caribbean. Then plan to continue further there were five years in west from our current loca- the Mediterranean and six tion in the Philippines, we years in Northern Europe Dave have decided to purchase which led to a return to McCampbell new batteries now while it North America via the tests new is convenient. After con- Viking Route: Scotland to lithium iron siderable study and lengthy the Faroe Islands, Iceland, phosphate discussion with other cruis- Greenland, and into New- batteries ers who have upgraded to foundland, Canada.
Dave McCampbell purchased to lithium iron phosphate replace Soggy (LiFePO4) cell batteries, we Ocean Navigator: What Paws’ current have decided to do likewise. type of batteries do you gel cells. However, installing a qual- have installed on your boat?
34 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com Dick Stevenson (i.e., lead-acid flooded cell, and the benefit of equalizing gel cell, AGM, or Li-ion or (Lifeline product) has put other)? me off. AGMs also seem Dick Stevenson: I have less forgiving of mistakes/ used gel cell batteries for abuse. I have stayed with more than two decades gels for those reasons, and now. I buy the best I can the fact that my gels have find (Sonnenshein in suffered occasional terrible Europe and East Penn in abuse — boat watch person the U.S.). They last six to in the Shetland Islands got eight seasons (full-time live- confused and the batteries aboard or, over the last few were down to 10+v all win- years, six months on, six off ter. Although hurt, the gels — seems not to matter). bounced back enough to be usable for another season ON: How satisfied are you and a half until I got some- with your battery setup? where where I could get new DS: Quite satisfied. I have batteries at all, and at a rea- Above, Dick been tempted by AGMs off sonable price where I didn’t and Ginger and on since sailing back in have to ship them in. Stevenson’s North America, but AGM’s Valiant 42, need for a regular full charge ON: What is your usual Alchemy (very hard to accomplish recharging routine? underway. at anchor), as well as their DS: At anchor: charge when Right, the Val- somewhat greater sensitivity ~50 percent depleted and iant’s gel cell
to the charging algorithm, bring to ~80 to 85 percent house bank. Dick Stevenson www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 35 BATTERIES with a 12v DC diesel gen- erator.
ON: What are your future battery plans? DS: Probably buy a new set Right, the of gels in the next year or Lee’s Gar- so as mine are now in their cia Passoa sixth season. AGMs are still 46, Sargo, a possibility. at anchor. Below, Sargo’s Bjorn and Jayme Lee 900 am hours Bjorn and Jayme Lee of carbon- bought Sargo, their Garcia foam AGM Passoa 46 (2005 build) in
batteries. Bjorn Lee the spring of 2018. They sailed Maine for the sum- state of charge is not con- 30 120V watermaker pulls mer, then did an extensive cerning. 900W, which would drain winter refit themselves. the batteries quickly. The This included replacing all ON: What is your usual generator allows us to meet core battery cables, bus bars recharging routine? the 900W watermaker and the 120V AC system. BL: Most of our charging load and put up to 800W They replaced the previous is via solar. 660W of solar into charging the batteries 450Ah battery bank with (two 330W Panasonic if needed. A few times we the Firefly batteries. They panels) with separate (2) have used the generator also added solar, MPPTs, Victron 100-30 MPPTs alone for charging, able to isolation transformer, into a Victron MultiPlus put 120 amps in for bulk MultiPlus charger, Venus (i.e., lead-acid flooded cell, 3k Inverter Charger with charging. control, BMV monitor, gel cell, AGM, or Li-ion or Venus GX control and We really don’t use our watermaker and generator. other)? BMV 712 monitor. This engine for charging. We Their system was designed Bjorn Lee: We have 900 takes care of 90 percent of have a dedicated 115V around the power need of amp hours of Firefly Car- our charging needs while alternator with a Balmar the watermaker and how to bon-Foam AGM batteries. cruising Maine and the MC-614 charge controller charge the Fireflies. They Bank is six 4V L15 batteries Caribbean in the summer. for the house bank, which cruised Maine during the wired in series to create two We did need to augment is small for our charging summer of 2019 then 12V that are then in parallel some generator charging in needs. It will obviously worked south to the USVI for the 900Ah capacity. December/January in the charge when we motor, but before getting stuck with Bahamas due to the short- this is not something we COVID travel restrictions. ON: How satisfied are you ness of the days. depend on. They decided to sail back with your battery setup? We augment solar with to Maine for the summer of BL: Very satisfied. Ample a Honda 2200 generator ON: What are your future 2020. power and depth for our run on deck through a Vic- battery plans? needs, even when sailing tron Isolation Transformer BL: To use the current setup Ocean Navigator: What offshore. Can charge and into the Multi. We use as long as possible. Install type of batteries do you discharge quickly, and with this when making water as was spring of 2019 for the have installed on your boat? the carbon foams, partial our Cruise RO Seamaker above. n
36 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com Treating batteries as a system works best
Upgrading batteries Story and PHotos BY WAYNE CANNING
or a very long time, high- teries for your boat, you must alternator run off the propul- capacity battery technolo- also consider how the batteries sion engine. Solar and wind Fgy remained pretty simple. are to be used and recharged. chargers will also likely be used. Wet cell lead-acid batteries were Cabling and connecting the Each of these charge sources pretty much the only choice batteries to the boat electri- must be correctly configured to boaters had. Over the last 10 cal system, as well as how the work with the type of battery to 15 years, battery technology batteries are mounted and installed. A ratchet-type has advanced and more choices secured, can also impact battery How the batteries are tie-down strap of battery design and type have performance. How a battery is installed and wired also affects keeps these bat- developed. All batteries age, and recharged has a large effect on performance. Batteries installed teries in place. at some point it becomes time the performance and life of a poorly can suffer from excess to replace them. This is the time battery. Not all batteries charge heat, making them less efficient many consider upgrading to one at the same rate or voltage. and possibly shortening their of the newer types of batteries. Incorrectly charging a battery life. Poor cabling and connec- This may seem a simple task at can greatly affect performance tions also can reduce perfor- first, but there is more to con- and shorten its life. mance and life. sider when changing or upgrad- There will often be several How the batteries are used ing batteries than just the bat- charging sources on a boat, will also influence select- teries themselves. Batteries are each utilizing a different tech- ing the right battery type. part of a system that must work nology. A typical cruising boat Engine-starting batteries, together to be truly efficient. will have a battery charger for example, are going to be used when connected to shore different from a house bank The battery system power or generator. Other- because they each are required When thinking about bat- wise, charging is done via an to release their energy differ- www.oceannavigator.com 37 BATTERIES ently. The starter battery the pros and cons of each, Charging to a select battery type, with will need to provide bursts but it is possible to help Charging is key to effi- the exception of lithium- of high energy for brief understand some of what is cient battery usage. How- ion. Engine-driven alterna- periods of time, while a available, as well as to grasp ever, it is not as simple as tors with built-in regulators house battery will release a that the battery alone is not just dumping power back are set up for standard wet little energy over a longer the only thing to consider. into a battery. How much cell batteries and are not period of time. Each of power can be replaced and very efficient for deep cycle these requires a different batteries. Most alternator internal structure of the A large installa- regulators are designed for battery. If you do a lot of tion with the bat- simple wet cell starting anchoring, the batteries teries touching, batteries. Any other type will be subject to deeper not providing any of battery will require the cycling than a boat that space for cooling use of an external regulator goes from one marina to air. Below, an that can be programed for a another. Where you plan installation with particular battery type. This to cruise and the availabil- room to breathe. also would apply to solar ity of replacement batteries and wind charge control- can also affect the choice at what rate will vary with lers. The better controllers of battery type. battery type. To make mat- will have settings for differ- All these factors should ters worse, most boats have ent battery types. be considered when select- multiple charge sources If you’re thinking of ing replacement batteries. It requiring each to work going with lithium-ion, it is beyond the scope of this with the selected battery is best to consult with the article to fully explain all the type. Most shore chargers battery manufacturer con- types of batteries, along with will have settings to adjust cerning charge methods.
Battery types crew. They also give off toxic and nently damaged. Wet cells should discharge rates. As they are sealed explosive gases when charging. also not be discharged more than they do not require the same Wet cells: The de facto standard This requires a good installation 50% of their capacity as this will ventilation as wet cells (they have for high capacity batteries in boats to prevent damage to the vessel. also damage their plates. That said a valve to regulate over pressure for many years has been the basic Although wet cells do have a good these batteries are cost effective should over charging. This is often wet cell lead-acid battery. These service life it is not as long as and available almost anywhere in referred to as “valve regulated”). are somewhat simple in design. some other types of batteries. They the world making them a decent This also means they do not Plates are submerged in a liquid also require a bit more in main- choice for cruisers planning distant require checking fluid levels and acid electrolyte contained in a tenance. Because they are freely voyages. adding water from time to time. plastic box. The cells are freely vented some water is boiled from Charging regulation is critical vented to the outside of the case. the electrolyte when charging. This Gel cells: Gel cell batteries are and if charged too rapidly they Wet cells are the least expensive water needs to be monitored and similar to wet cell with the excep- can be damaged. Advances are type of battery and readily avail- replaced from time to time. tion of having a gel electrolyte being made in gel cell technology able even in remote locations. Wet cells have limitations on instead of liquid. They work best that are allowing faster charging They are reliable and usually their charge acceptance rate. What for slow discharge rates. This rates however it is still important have a life span of three to five this means is you can only charge make them better suited for house to make sure they are charged years. Wet cell batteries contain them at a certain rate and if you banks although some are designed correctly. Gel batteries can with- toxic chemicals which if released try to put too much current into as dual purpose meaning they stand vibrations and G forces can be harmful to the vessel and them too fast they can be perma- will work for both slow and rapid better than wet cells making them
38 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com Because lithium-ion bat- battery manufacture about Most batteries are heavy teries can accept a charge the best charging solutions. and, of course, boats move so quickly, they have been around quite a bit. Even known to cause overheat- Installation slight shifting can chafe ing and damage to alterna- Battery installations the battery case and loosen tors. Some lithium-ion can affect a batteries per- the conductors connected battery makers are now formance and lifespan as to the battery. Batteries designing built-in charge well. Worst case, a bad coming loose from their controllers to work with installation can lead to a mounts can cause spillage This enclosed battery box has a standard chargers designed battery explosion or fire, or worse, such as shorting dedicated hose for introducing for regular batteries. This and a shortened battery life leading to a fire. It is best if cooling air. could help keep the cost at best. Ventilation is key the batteries can be mount- down for switching to to any battery installation. tion between two or more ed low and aft in the boat lithium-ion. Even sealed batteries will batteries mounted in the as the vessel movement No matter what type benefit from good ventila- same location. This will will be less in these areas. of battery is used, it is tion to keep the batteries allow airflow between indi- The common nylon straps important to have the right cool as they are charged vidual batteries, reducing sold in most marine stores charger. Over-charging and used. Most batteries heat buildup. are not strong enough for and under-charging are will vent if over-charged. All batteries should be most installations. The the number one source of These gases are explosive, properly secured to the battery should fit snugly premature battery failure. making ventilation even vessel. Although ABYC into chocks around the Charging too slow or too more important. Batteries standards allow 1 inch of base, and should have top fast can also affect battery packed closely together will movement, it is better if clamps or heavy ratchet- performance. It is always retain heat, so it is best to the batteries are secured to type straps to hold them best to consult with the leave at least 1 inch separa- prevent any movement. securely.
a good choice for applications pressure. If damaged they will Lithium-ion: The newest item cent without damage and can be where heavy vibration or impacts not leak hazardous chemicals. on the battery market are lithium- rapidly recharged. Charge control are expected. A high speed motor AGM batteries generally can ion batteries. These are high-end is very important to these batter- yacht might be an example of this. take a charge or discharge faster and high-performance batteries. ies, not only to prevent premature They are more expensive than wet than gel or wet cell batteries. They are lighter, can be charged failure but also to prevent possible cells but still reasonably priced. The weakness of AGM batteries faster and discharged deeper fires. We have all heard about the There lifespan tends to be a bit is they do not like high tempera- than any of the other types. At hoverboard and computer fires longer than wet cells if properly tures and over-charging can cause first they would seem like the as a result of charging failures. cared for. damage to the battery. Care perfect choice. However, this Thankfully, most manufactures needs to be used to monitor the great performance comes at a cost now have their own built in charge AGM: Absorbent Glass Mat battery during charging to avoid not only in initial purchase price regulators making these batteries (AGM) batteries use a fine over-heating or over-charging. but also in the charging systems safer. If considering lithium-ion, fiberglass mat that is capable AGMs tend to have a longer lifes- required to get the most out of it is strongly recommended to get of absorbing and holding the pan than wet or gel cell batteries these high-performance batteries. professional assistance to select electrolyte. Unlike the gel cells, if properly charged and installed. Generally speaking, lithium-ion and install the batteries. This tech- because the electrolyte is in the Although AGMs are more expen- batteries will produce twice the nology is still somewhat new and glass mat, it is part of the battery sive, the extra cost should be power at half the weight of the needs to be approached carefully structure. Like gel cells, they are offset by a longer life and more lead-acid type batteries. They can to avoid wasted time and money. valve-regulated to control over- efficient charging. be discharged to nearly 100 per- Wayne Canning www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 39 BATTERIES
Cabling and connections age to a battery or create a allowing each conductor with how much capacity Cabling and cable end possible fire hazard. ABYC its own stud. Make sure is needed. It is not enough connections are an impor- now recommends all bat- the cable ends are correctly to just calculate the needed tant part of any installation. tery connections be made sized for the battery studs capacity based on loads Bad connections or cable with standard hex nuts and and try to avoid using stain- alone. Battery discharge ends can add resistance, not wing nuts as was com- less steel washers between levels, along with charging reducing efficiency. Like- mon in the past. The reason connections as these are capacities and charge rates, wise, undersized conductors for this is to encourage the not as conductive as copper also need to be considered. will result in losses. When use of a wrench to tighten washers. With most cruising boats, installing new batteries, it the connections instead of the battery is being dis- is a good time to review the merely hand-tightening Battery banks charged while at the same Batteries are often time being recharged. This A battery that installed in banks of two further complicates know- was seriously or more to obtain higher ing what the most efficient overcharged capacity. When doing this, capacity needed for a and exploded, a it is important to always boat is. Careful analysis is problem easily use the same size and type needed when determining avoided by using of battery in a single bank. capacity. a proper recharg- Mixing an AGM with a As can be seen, upgrad- ing routine. wet cell in the same bank is ing batteries is not a simple conductor size along with wing nuts. It is best to use going to greatly reduce the subject. Knowing that the the end terminals. When batteries with threaded life and efficiency of both batteries work as a system upgrading batteries, keep studs, and not the automo- batteries. As mentioned, will help avoid some of the in mind a larger bank or tive type with only a round charging is different for common mistakes with bat- replacements with a higher stud for clamp-type con- each battery type, and mix- tery installations that I see capacity may require larger nectors. ing them will result in poor as a marine surveyor. The conductors to handle the Another common mis- charging and possible dam- best batteries in the world additional load. This would take is multiple connections age to the batteries. Any will not perform well if they include the charger conduc- on a single terminal. The time one battery in a bank are poorly installed and the tors as well as the feeds. only connections to a bat- goes bad, it is always best to wrong charging system is replace all the batteries. This used. Not charging a bat- This AGM is why it is usually best to tery correctly is the most battery is well- not have banks larger than common cause of prema- secured inside two batteries. ture battery failure, but the its own nacelle installation can shorten a with the use of Battery capacity batteries life as well. When a restraining Battery capacity is it comes time to upgrade bar. always a tricky subject. As the boat’s batteries, be sure Connections to the bat- tery should be the main noted, wet cells should to inspect and upgrade the teries and the boat’s electri- cable to a battery switch never be discharged below complete system. n cal system are often a weak and ground cable to a buss 50 percent capacity, while spot. Placing too many bar, along with any conduc- lithium-ion can often be Contributing editor conductors on a single tors connecting batteries discharged to near 100 Wayne Canning is a self- terminal, miss-sized ring together in a bank. If more percent. It is clear the type employed marine surveyor, terminals, and loose con- connections are needed, a of battery and its perfor- delivery skipper and free- nections can all cause dam- buss bar should be installed, mance have much to do lance boating writer.
40 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com VOYAGING TIPS
Alarms, getting to know them better BY Dick Stevenson Editor’s note: This piece origi- radar, instruments and the batteries are low, while many nally appeared in the Ocean DSC (digital selective calling) do not. A beginning-of-season Cruising Club’s monthly bulletin alarm on your VHF. Finally, renewal of all alarm batter- (oceancruisingclub.org). there are the alarms that ies is wise. Other alarms have emerge from our “devices.” expiry dates (e.g., CO alarms larms are a good thing. Post this list where it is easily are often five years), while AThey warn of emerging This Maretron problems and do not get tired screen is from or lazy. a sophisticated That said, I think many vessel moni- boat owners would agree that toring setup. we have so many alarms that Green shows when one goes off, it can be normal ranges, difficult to know what the yellow indicates warning is or where to go to borderline and respond. Someday, an enter- red signals an prising entrepreneur will come alarm state. For up with an alarm annuncia- example, the tor that tells you in a human depth is show- voice which alarm has tripped. ing red because In the meantime, it behooves it is less than every skipper to make a “vessel the alert depth alarm list” and to try to dif- Steve D’Antonio of 25 feet set ferentiate the alarms by sound by the vessel (buzzer, beep, two-tone, etc.). owner. After creating such a list of your own, highlight the accessible for review, such as on smoke detectors can malfunc- “urgent” alarms. For example, the wall of the head. tion because of accumulation on our Valiant 42 Alchemy, One danger with alarms is of dust or cobwebs. One’s these are: engine oil pressure that they can support a false confidence in a propane sniffer and water temperature, high complacency that inhibits reg- increases when it activates water, bilge pump activation, ular inspections. For example, when tested with gas from an propane sniffer, smoke detec- an eyes-in-the-bilge inspec- (unlit) lighter. n tors, exhaust hose temperature, tion should occur on every and carbon monoxide (CO). watch during passages. Also, a Dick Stevenson and his wife Remember, there are also the reminder: many alarms need Ginger voyage aboard their Val- skipper-set alarms on AIS, attention. Some beep when iant 42, Alchemy. www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 41 r
Catching, Tuna 101: A Primer cleaning and eating for Voyaging Sailors Story and photos tuna at sea by Jayme Okma Lee
grew up spending my sum- fishing has gradually spread to mers fishing the waters of the entire Sargo crew. Aboard a Lake Huron. When my cruising sailboat, catching and family and I moved onto landing fish takes a full team SargoI , our 46-foot Garcia Pas- effort. On our recent passage soa, I had plenty of enthusiasm from the U.S. Virgin Islands to for fishing, but close to no St. Augustine, Fla., we landed actual saltwater fishing skills. five tuna and two mahi-mahi. Over the past 12 months, I For sailors who would like to expensive gear to be a success- have taken every opportunity catch more fish, here are some ful voyaging fisherman. Our to talk to (interrogate) expe- basic tips to catch, land and eat “go-to” tuna lure is the basic rienced saltwater fishermen. fresh tuna while voyaging! cedar plug. You can find these I’ve also learned from many in the fishing section of nearly mistakes. As we have caught Gear any saltwater fishing store. I more fish, my enthusiasm for You don’t need a lot of fancy, like the ones that come rigged with a heavy-duty monofila- ment leader. They don’t look like much, but I’ve been told their spiraling action mimics a Above right, fish- distressed or injured baitfish. ing from a moving Whatever the reason, they do sailboat presents seem to catch fish! safety risks, requir- We typically fish two ing gloves, shoes, and inflatable lines while under way. The harnesses. Jayme first is a 100-foot handline Okma Lee gaffs a of 200-pound line with a fish aboard. Right, shock-absorbing bungee cord Bjorn Lee with a attached. The second is on a Little Tunny, some- short fishing rod with at least times mistaken for 30- to 50-pound line that we a true tuna. send “way back” at least 100 yards behind the boat. Once you have your gear in the water,
42 www.oceannavigator.com pulling the fish on board by grabbing the leader ahead of the lure. Slowing your boat speed down to 4 knots or less, wearing gloves, tethering yourself to the boat, taking care not to get tangled in the handline slack, and bringing in all other fishing line will increase your chances of safely landing the fish. We have a hand gaff aboard Sargo and use it from time to time. We’ve found it most helpful once
Sargo’s Simple Tuna Poke Recipe
Ingredients • 1-2 loins from a “foot- ball-sized” tuna • 1 avocado • 1 mango • 4-6 scallions • Dressing (see below) make sure to check it frequently for Wherever you sail, the following Cut the poke ingredients into small cubes and weeds. Sometimes it seems like we signs are helpful to increase the odds mix together in a Tupperware or bowl with a have to clear weeds on a near-con- of finding fish. First, keep a lookout lid or cover. Coat the poke with the following stant basis. for feeding birds; we’ve caught the dressing. The amounts listed are approximate, I most tuna when we spot birds feed- recommend tasting along the way and adjust- Finding tuna ing and alter course slightly to pass ing to your liking. Even with the right gear, you’re not near the birds. Second, look for dras- going to catch any fish if there are tic changes in water depth, such as a Dressing none to catch. The best and simplest sharp drop-off or a seamount. We are • 1-2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil piece of advice I have received was pretty tired of catching barracuda, so • 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce from my friend Kevin Ferrie of @ we don’t typically put out fishing lines • 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar or juice of 1 lime or lemon FearKnot_Fishing. Kevin and his until we are “off soundings” in more • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, or family are the most successful voyag- than 200 feet of water. According my personal favorite — “Everything but the ing fishermen I’ve ever met. Kevin’s to Kevin, a great speed through the Bagel” seasoning from Trader Joe’s advice to cruisers is to “fish where water for sailboat trolling is between 6 • Salt and pepper to taste the fish are.” Although we typically and 8 knots. This has held true for us, • Optional: a dash of your favorite hot sauce don’t alter our course significantly to with no tuna caught below 6 knots. to taste increase our chances of catching fish, we definitely follow Kevin’s advice. Getting the tuna on board Poke is best if chilled in the refrigerator for at Routing is sometimes a point of con- Luckily, we’ve found tuna to be one least 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips at tention aboard Sargo. Our kids, Alice of the easiest fish to reel in and get your sundowner, or serve as a “poke bowl” over and Toren, favor the shortest, quick- aboard Sargo. Most times they are rice and vegetables such as cucumbers, snap est route; my husband Bjorn favors relatively small like the tuna pictured peas, shredded carrots, or shredded cabbage. the best sailing route and I favor the in this article. With these smaller Jayme Okma Lee optimal fishing route. tuna, you shouldn’t have any trouble www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 43 Working with you to keep Casco Bay blue.
Join us. Photo: Kevin Morris with aerial support from LightHawk
www.oceannavigator.com 44 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBERcascobay.org/donate 2020
FOCB_Ocean_Navigator_September_2018_withbleed.indd 1 9/12/2018 12:28:55 PM the length of the fish at the rear bases There are endless ways of loining a of the pectoral fins to sever the main tuna. We like to remove the head and arteries. With a good hold on the tail, guts first, leaving just the body of the trail the fish behind the boat for a few tuna from which the four loins will minutes, or dunk it up and down be cut. Work on one side and remove headfirst in a bucket of saltwater. the two loins on that side by cutting down along the spine. Remove the Identifying your tuna skin, then cut between the loins to It’s pretty easy to misidentify tuna. remove the bones and the dark red There are some species that look meat known as the bloodline. You a lot like tuna, such as Bonito and should now have two of the four false albacore (also known as Little loins. Sharpen your knife and tackle Above, yellowfin tuna are Tunny). I the other side. easy to identify. These were made this One tuna of average size can feed caught sailing through a mistake our family of four for about two flock of feeding birds. Right, with some meals. Even if you’re going to eat the skipjacks have a distinctive Little tuna that day, I would place the loins striped belly. Blackfin have Tunny that in the coldest part of your refrigera- dark black coloring along we caught tor or in your freezer to cool down their backs. in a Gulf the meat. It’s best to do this imme- Stream diately after loining. This improves the fish is on deck in order to better eddy off the coast of South Carolina. the quality of the meat. If you plan secure it from flopping overboard. There’s nothing wrong with eating on freezing the tuna, it is beneficial to Every boat’s transom type, dinghy these other fish, but once you catch have a vacuum sealer on board. This davit systems and various cruising and eat your first true tuna, you’ll decreases freezer burn. gear present their own challenges. taste the difference! On our voyages Bring the fish in quickly to an area between Maine and the U.S. Virgin Eating where you have room to work. Islands, we have encountered mostly We enjoy tuna in many forms, yellowfin, blackfin and skipjack tuna. including sushi, sashimi, poke, home- Killing and bleeding the tuna made tuna salad, tuna puttanesca Best be prepared, tuna can certainly Cleaning, filleting and storing with pasta, or simply seasoned and make a mess of your cockpit. The Since we don’t have the luxury of a seared. Sargo’s crew prefers tuna poke! first thing we do is secure the fish by cooler full of ice, we usually clean and For an easy and versatile tuna poke, either putting a foot on it, or better fillet our fish right away. You’ll want see attached recipe. yet, putting a gaff through the gills a good-sized cutting surface, a sharp Our saltwater fishing skills have and out the mouth. There is nothing fillet knife and a sharpening stone. If improved with experience, helpful worse than watching your tuna flop you haven’t cleaned many fish before, friends and focus. Keep at it and back overboard. Next, remove the it would help to watch a few videos. don’t get discouraged; remember, it’s hook from the fish. Once the chaos The goal in cleaning a typical size called fishing — not catching — for has subsided somewhat, we then tuna is to cut away four individual a reason. n squirt vodka over the gills to quickly loins — each about the size and sedate and often kill the fish. It’s shape of a pork tenderloin. Each side Jayme Okma Lee lives aboard with important to bleed tuna in order to of the tuna has two loins separated her husband Bjorn, daughter Alice and preserve the meat quality. To do this, lengthwise by the bones coming off son Toren. Their website is www.sail- make small incisions perpendicular to the spine and the dark bloodline. ingsargo.com www.oceannavigator.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 45 Classifieds Boats for Sale Self-Steering Marine & Gear RIGGING ONLY small ad, small prices Standing and running rigging, lifelines, furling gear, winches, line, windlasses, travelers, wire and terminals, blocks, vangs, and much more. Problem solving is our specialty. Problem solving and discount mail order since 1984 [email protected] www.riggingandhardware.com VOYAGER 508-992-0434 Economical Live-Aboard to “The Wild Blue Yonder‚“ 45’ Buchanan Steel Ketch To be re-outfitted after on the hard for 5years, $70K Contact [email protected]
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Jolie Brise rescues Adriana BY DAVID BERSON olie Brise, which is roughly recipient of the Blue Water ing rescue, 10 out of 11 of Jtranslated as “nice breeze,” Medal that by the Cruising Adriana’s crew jumped aboard. is perhaps one of the most Club of America twice, both Finally, Kozaly left the wheel famous yachts of the 20th times for seamanship. The of Adriana, but the boats had century; more than 100 years first was awarded for “double drifted apart and he fell into after her launch, the vessel is transatlantic crossing, includ- the water between the ships still plying the waters of the ing Bermuda Race, April and drowned. His death is the Atlantic. She’s a gaff-rigged 3rd, 1926, from Falmouth, only loss of life in the history pilot cutter, 73 feet on deck July 27th to Plymouth.” The of the Bermuda Race. and 48 feet on the water, with second was given to owner The ship is now owned a 15-foot beam. “Bobby” Somerset for a feat by the Dauntsey’s School of Jolie Brise was built as of seamanship in the 1932 Wiltshire, England. Jolie Brise a sturdy pilot cutter in Le Bermuda Race. sails with up to 12 students for Havre, France, in 1913. She The race departed Newport international sail training. morphed from pilot cutter to into a very strong southwest- Let’s join Jolie Brise as she’s fishing boat and then to her erly, and on the first night of making passage to America for most famous the race, the heat from the the start of the Bermuda Race period as an coal stove aboard the schooner in the summer of 1932. It is ocean racing Adriana set some oilskins on May 22, and we will be using yacht. Today fire. The fire spread quickly the 2020 Nautical Almanac.
Wikipedia, Alejandro Arce Herrero Arce Alejandro Wikipedia, she works as and a decision was made to Height of eye is nine feet and a sail training abandon ship and flares were there is no error on the sex- yacht. Stoutly set off. Jolie Brise was three tant. The chronometer, on the built to with- miles ahead, saw the flares, other hand, is three minutes stand the rigors and sailed back to the burning slow. We are doing a simple of being a pilot schooner. The schooner had noon sight off the east coast at cutter, the boat no engine so all maneuvering 41° 25’ N by 68° 15’ W. The The pilot was engineless for years and was done under sail. Hs of the upper limb of the cutter Jolie steered with a tiller. By the time they arrived, sun is 69° 27.3’. Brise, built The vessel first came into the crew of Adriana was strug- in 1913, is the public consciousness in gling to launch the lifeboat A. What is the time of still sailing 1925, winning the first Fastnet and had already tossed the LAN in GMT? as a train- race against six competitors. wood spinnaker pole into the B. What is the Ho? ing vessel. The first Fastnet was won by water to act as a float. Clarence C. What is the latitude? Jolie Brise in six days, 14 hours, Kozaly was at the helm of
and 45 minutes. Jolie Brise also Adriana while Jolie Brise was Answers
won again in 1929 and 1930 brought alongside under sail. 25.7’ 41° N Latitude C.
and is the only vessel to have The upper rigging tangled, 08’ 69° is Ho B. won three times. and the tarred rigging on Jolie GMT 16:30 at is LAN
The vessel has been the Brise began to char. In a dar- A.
48 OCEAN NAVIGATOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 www.oceannavigator.com
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