Friday, August 29, 2008

Position Updates/Darwin Address

Received an email this morning from Phil Sutton in POM (Port Moresby):


"Zac arrived in port at approximately 2:30 pm. He looked pretty tired. After about 2 hours of waiting for customs and quarantine to come we finally got to meet him. He was going to put his dingy together and use it to shuttle back and forth to the club. First on his agenda was to get a shower and then back to the yacht for a long sleep. He will contact us tomorrow to go and get his visa at the airport since its the weekend."


Zac arriving in Port Moresby

Photo courtesy of Mr. Phill Sutton




Zac's position updates:




08/20/08 0432UTC 08 deg 53' S, 165 deg 18' E


08/21/08 0424UTC 10 deg 36' S, 163 deg 25' E


08/22/08 0258UTC 11 deg 52' S, 161 deg 27' E


08/23/08 0300UTC 11deg 49' S, 159 deg 39' E


08/24/08 0350UTC 12 deg 15'.986" S, 156 deg 45'.490" E


08/25/08 0357UTC 12 deg 26'.198" S, 154 deg 33'.540" E


08/26/08 0408UTC 12 deg 14'.810" S, 152 deg 03'.842" E


08/27/08 0400UTC 11 deg 44'.344" S, 149 deg 43'.211" E


08/28/08 0255UTC 10 deg 50'.767" S, 147 deg 43'.973" E


08/28/08 2251UTC 09 deg 51'.220" S, 146 deg 56'.743" E


08/29/08 0500UTC 09 deg 29'.180" S, 147 deg 09'.210" E (approx)





You'll notice that the format of Zac's position changed on 08/24/28. This was done to provide more accuracy with Zac's exact position because of navigational issues (ie reefs, islands, currents etc). The way we had been writing his position was meant to be degrees and minutes only. Because of the way it was written, it looked like we were posting degrees and decimals of degrees which can mean as much of a difference as 24 miles. As David Morris succinctly put it, that doesn't matter much in the open ocean but certainly does when you are navigating reefs etc. From now on the position will have degrees, minutes and decimals of minutes which is how Zac's chart plotter shows his position.

Darwin address:

Mr. Zac Sunderland
c/- Darwin G.P.O.
Cavanagh Street
Darwin, NT 0800
Australia

Mark it: 'To Be Collected'

Zac should be arriving in Darwin in about 2 weeks and staying for at least a week. If it seems that mail will take too long to arrive, you can always mail it to Zac's mail box here at: 1710 N. Moorpark Road #212, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 though I'm sure that is not as fun!

More info when Zac wakes up!

Marianne

69 Comments:

Blogger laarchitect said...

Can't make it in Oxnard, but sure would like to attend an event in LA after Darwin.

Good job, Zac! I'm sure we're all sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for the final diagnosis on the Yanmar.

Take care,
David in Whittier.

August 29, 2008 at 9:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello, all!

This armchair sailorette was wondering what the weather conditions will be for Zac when he wakes up in Port Moresby...looks like it'll be warm and muggy - highs in the mid 80s, lows in the mid 70s - humidity 89% w/ no wind - scattered T-storms predicted for the next couple of days. Gotta love the internet, huh?!?

Cap'n Zac - I hope your 3Rs (Repairs, Re-stocking, and Rest!) are accomplished in all the ways that you need them to happen.

Good speed & safe sailing,
Kathy

August 29, 2008 at 10:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Sir Zac...
you are the MAN.

labor day in Port Moresby, that'll be cool...

everyone on the coast here getting ready for hurricane Gustav...
this being the anniversary of Katrina, people taking action quickly this time

get rested up, both you and Intrepid...

be sure and get local knowledge of the Torres Strait,

don't overload your system with heavy greasy food to digest..
start out small portions and work your way up...LOL, you're probably hungry as a horse...LOL,
don't forget your malaria pills, for the upteenth trillion time...LOL,
do lots of laughing and have fun, you've certainly earned that... you'll be leaving a wake...
people watching is kinda fun too after all those days at sea by yourself,
about 85% of communication is non-verbal...

you're doing so so incredibly GREAT, rest up and fully enjoy this experience, ambassador Zac,
you'll have lotsa opportunities to share... saying "NO,Thank you", is ok,
getting ready for the next leg...

the moon should be on the uprise so it'll be guiding you through your next passage,
remember the night your cabin was "flooded with light"...cool

hey Zac only 93 more days till your 17th... wonder where you'll be??? the LORD knows... :-)

enjoy your haven of rest...

mark n adino vicksburg,mississippi

August 29, 2008 at 11:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,
Thanks for the position updates. May I suggest they be given in the format:
12 26.198'S, 154 33.540'E

Please leave out the 'deg' and drop the " since deg and minutes only are being reported. Then Google Earth will accept it.

Glad to hear Zac made it safely into Port Moresby, must have been a ride these past few days.

Go Zac! but first catch up on sleep time.

August 29, 2008 at 11:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanks marianne,
for all the positional updates... i really missed that part of the journey, but being understandably wise and cautious...is paramount...
during this port-o-call for Zac,
it's a great time for the ZacPac (newbies especially "little zackers")
to start at the beginning (april) and read all the blog's
you truly will get a full appreciation of this whole journey, from the inception and who Zac is... Team Sunderland as well, along with Intrepid's transformation... (great photo's too)
it'll give Zac time to enjoy the experience without having to worry about writing something...
(content is way more important than volume)
you all remember Zac's blog after leaving Majuro and the great stories he shared... we all were laughing and wondered how he was able to do that "writing" while still captaining Intrepid.
i cant wait to hear what was on the menu here, i hope Zac,you can get to some of the tribal celebrations... they're pretty incredible...
remember ambassador Zac lotsa HUGS... it's heart to heart, years from now when they read of you or see your movie, they won't be saying he shook my hand...
but rather he HUGGED me :-)
what a difference you're making...
still in our prayers
mark n adino,vicksburg,mississippi

August 29, 2008 at 12:34 PM  
Blogger SMR said...

Sailed into the harbor! WOW - that's pretty awesome. I'm not surprised though, he has proven himself a VERY accomplished sailor. Well done Zac. Now, get a bit of rest, get the engine in shape and off to Darwin.

Sally
Annapolis, MD

August 29, 2008 at 12:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW Zac,

May I be the first to congratulate you on crossing the Pacific Ocean.

Only the Indian and Atlantic Oceans left

August 29, 2008 at 1:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with the poster above regarding the posting of the position. Don't put the seconds sign (") is you are reporting decimal fractions of minutes.

All the best to Zac from a slightly older sailor!

August 29, 2008 at 2:15 PM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Hello Zac & Everyone,

We had two Sunderland blogs in one day, what a great surprise. Hopefully Zac is sleeping right now and he already took a shower.

Hopefully all the engine problems will be resolved within the next few days. Stock up, rest, eat well, and get some fresh water before you leave. Glad to know you made it in just fine.

Enjoy Land,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

August 29, 2008 at 2:16 PM  
Blogger Anonymous said...

Hi Marianne, Laurence, and Zac,

Oh man I am so glad to hear Zac has arrived in Port Moresby. I so wish the photo on the blog was larger, so we could see Zac. I'm hoping you can feel some weight off your shoulders now, at least for a few days.

The poor kid just sounds like he was battered out there. Just wanting a shower and to sleep says it all. Too bad you were not there to give him comfort. I hope he will be treated like the champion athlete that he is while in port.

I will be praying for all to go great, and that he can get fully checked out before attempting the next leg of the journey.

I wanted to apologize to Laurence. When I replied to your blog, I misspelled your name. Also, I misspelled "strait". I was at a trade show in Las Vegas, and typing to you, Laurence, on my iPhone. Laurence, I am quite proud of you, and so grateful for Zac to have such a skilled person guiding him. Not to mention that father / son bond and relationship.

So I hope that you all can relax a little, and be able to have a great holiday weekend, knowing Zac is safe on shore being cared for by other people who want to help him. God's hands are on Zac's shoulders all the way.

Zac, get some rest, and take care of yourself, okay?
Marianne, I received my t-shirt today, and look forward to wearing it.

August 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Marianne,
Glad to read Zac got to PM and getting the well deserved rest. Hope the engine problem will be solved and it won't be something drastic.

Zac,
Enjoy your rest, eat and restock. You made it this far and that's quite an accomplishment for a 16 y/o. Hope all goes well with the repairs, so you can be on your way. Take care and stay safe in PM. Our prayers always.

Dick & Gin
Upland

August 29, 2008 at 2:26 PM  
Blogger Tammy said...

We're so glad he's getting some rest! I bet Mom and Dad are getting some rest now too.

August 29, 2008 at 3:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac, I was very glad to hear that you decided to pull into Port Moresby for a break. That last leg must have been a bear.

Thank you for the postion update, I now have the Google Earth track in place.

Sleep, eat (in any order that hits you), and provision.

I'm looking forward to hearing about the next leg to Darwin.

August 29, 2008 at 3:57 PM  
Blogger Willyboy said...

Zac, very glad you are at rest in Port Moresby! Sleep well and tend to things after a good healing sleep!

August 29, 2008 at 3:58 PM  
Blogger Glen said...

Volvì...

HEY ZAC.. es increible que puedas estar sin bañarte tanto tiempo, ahora comprendo el olor a rozas que hay en el bote, Me haces acordar a un primo hermano que cuando teniamos tu edad habia que obligarlo a bañarce, Gracias a Dios Hoy lo obliga su mujer!!!

De cualquier manera me alegro MUCHO que estes bien y las cosas que van apareciendo en el camino las vallas arreglando...

Saludos a todos uy mañana lo transcribo al Ingles..

Glen

August 29, 2008 at 7:07 PM  
Blogger Glen said...

Me olvidaba... mañana te voy a pegar un gaste MAL....

August 29, 2008 at 7:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And let me add my "praise Jesus" to have Zac safely in Port Moresby. I will pray for an incredibly restorative sleep, a wonderful shower and that all repairs go well and without a hitch.

I know too that mom and dad must feel so releived. What an incredible young man you have put into this world and what a grand role model for the youth of this nation. Talk about committment and meeting challenges head on and with wisdom. Wow.
Take care one and all,
Kathy
Bend, Oregon

August 29, 2008 at 7:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Glad to hear Zac is safe in port and can finally get some good rest. I think I can speak for all of us armchair sailors when I send a huge thanks to Phil Sutton, the Royal Papua New Guinea Yacht Club, and all those in POM who are helping Zac on his journey. May his stay in New Guinea be safe and productive. Way to go Zac!

Mark W.
Roswell, GA

August 29, 2008 at 7:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac,

RE: Engine problem suggestion

This is the former SV Carolina Skipper here again. Maybe this will help so take it for what its worth. I hope my story gives you some insight into the water in the engine oil situation.

When running in the Atlantic a decade ago, my Morgan 41 Ketch suffered hydraulic lock after running in 15 ft plus following seas for a long time. Sea water entered the piston cylinders and the pressure on the piston downstroke literally sheered off the studs holding the rocker assembly to the block, bent push rods and did other top end damage. This made no sense to me at the time because the engine had been overhauled just 150 hours before this happened and she had been impeccably maintained and constantly monitored like a newborn baby.

The lock occurred a few days after the following seas but before the ultimate damage, I couldn't start the engine without extra cranking amps from the charger. She wouldn't start easily due to the water in the engine. I too noted water in the oil, which reappeared after an oil change and after running the 4236 Perkins again. I argued with my mechanic repeatedly that water had to be coming in through the exhaust manifold from the water lift muffler, which in my case was undersized for the 4236 and was left over from Carolina's original smaller 4108. I argued with him that the water in the oil was not coming the internal coolant reservoir. I was correct. It was salty to the taste.

If I shut down the engine on the top end of the water lift cycle, water in the exhaust hose running up to the ceiling of the engine compartment about 40 inches above the muffler and 34 inches higher than the engine itself, would fall back into the muffler without exhaust to push it out thru the transom 15 odd feet aft. The muffler can held less water than the run of exhaust hose above, causing it to overflow into the cast pipe on the manifold and perhaps a bit into the engine as gravity pulled it back down when the engine was shut down. This seemed to happen only in a heavy following sea and the engine would be drowned because the water was not as readily expelled aft when the exhaust thru hull was submerged so much.

Does this make sense to you? I rebuilt the top end, thinking had just better not run the engine in heavy following seas because it had not happened since its overhaul. After the the engine work was done, I beat to weather for the next 1800 miles and didn't have the problem again. However, the time came when there was a following sea once again and the oil was again mixed with sea water. The oil cooler and heat exchanger were never compromised, so the sea water was not coming from them. I tested them. The next time this happened, I knew to change the oil and such out all the contents of the system, which were about 2-4 quarts more than the total number the engine held in quarts of oil.

The solution? I was about 10 years old than you are now when this was happening and sought the advice of a retired old salt I had met in the Bahamas 800 miles aft. He helped me rig up an additional syphon break at the engine compartment ceiling level, which came off of some new heater hose lines we installed off the raw water system on the engine. I had a syphon break at the high point of the exhaust hose that ran aft but for some reason this was not adequate. I never had the problem again over the next 15,000 miles and all the way to 29 south in the South Pacific and up to 57 north in the North Pacific with all sorts of wave conditions up to 30 foot and all points of sail.

In the beginning of my voyage, I had hot exhaust water spilling out of the captains seat, which was on top of a storage locker in the cockpit above the engine compartment. In that locker was a an exhaust water return line that some fool I hired to work on the boat years before had piped into the locker's drain. Beware of who you allow to work on you engine is the lesson here. I never let anyone else touch again unless I was there watching and helping. In reality, by the time I was through, I didn't need anyone to do the work anymore.

Anyway Zac, maybe this will give you some insight. Maybe the rough weather has and the surfing you were doing led me to recall this long forgotten experience of mine. This may not be your problem at all but check into it before you spend a small fortune tearing down the engine. Best of luck.

Capt. John Scott Joeright
SV Carolina Formerly
johnjoeright@hotmail.com

The only down fall was a very small exhaust leak from the syphon

August 29, 2008 at 7:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to go Zac! What you are doing is truly special. We have a couple things in common, I have a 16 year old son named Zac, and also an Islander 36. I have a couple questions for you: How many miles have you logged to date, and when is the 1/2 way home point?

Also, can you comment on Intrepid in a candid manner as to how she handles the big swell you saw on this last leg? What was the biggest swell you went through?

I am very happy for you to get to go on this adventure, and you certainly have great parents for the support they give you!

Fair winds, Zac!

Jim

August 29, 2008 at 8:08 PM  
Blogger Tomi said...

Capt. Zac,

Was very happy you made it safely in to harbor. Hope your rest helped to re-energize you, Heavens know you deserved it! Best of luck on repairing the engine. Hope you're able to patch/seal the leak(s) in the Salon too. Don't need any distractions on this next leg! Oh, don't forget that anti-malarial!

Team Sunderland,
Thank you so very much for your continued support of us ZacPac'ers & for keeping us updated. Y'all deserve a long rest too! After all, this is what the Labor Day Holiday w/e is for :)

Look forward to reading the updates when y'all get a chance. Until then, enjoy the respite for a bit. As always, y'all are in a lot of peeps prayers.

HUGS!
Tomi/ATL

August 29, 2008 at 8:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac,
You got some sleep! u bet that felt amazing! Hope you slept well. i also hear you had a nice shower. hope you get some good water to take with you on the boat and get the boat fixed fast.
thoughts and prayers
taytay

August 29, 2008 at 8:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Welcome to Port Moresby, Zac and a HUGE congratulations! It is just amazing what you have accomplished.
I know you will get lots of rest now and we'll be anxiously waiting to hear what you'll eat in the next few days! We got such a kick out of the foods in Majuro!

Laurence and Marianne, thanks so much for your posts! We really appreciate all you do. Team Sunderland is really very impressive!

I hope all of the repair jobs go smoothly and good luck with your next tricky job: heading into Darwin.

Our prayers are always with you!

With HUGE respect!

Jennifer
Sherman Oaks, CA

August 29, 2008 at 9:19 PM  
Blogger Gleaming Waters said...

Hallelujah!
Way to go Zac!
Love,
Tamara

August 29, 2008 at 9:28 PM  
Blogger Tomi said...

Have a different type of question for Team Sunderland. Since Lord Laurence will be meeting Capt. Zac in several of his ports-of-call, does he have a preferred frequent flyer program he uses? If yes, do y'all know of a way I may transfer my unused frequent flyer miles to him?

HUGS!
Tomi/ATL

August 29, 2008 at 9:31 PM  
Blogger MissWarren said...

Hey Zac,
Have been watching your progress since you left the US. You are such an accomplished young man. You are going to have some amazing stories to tell someday.
Is there anything you'd like thrown in a care package? Oreos? Beef Jerky? Skittles? Koolaid drink packs?
Let us know and we will send them off to Darwin.
You are so lucky to have all these great people offering up prayers and advice.
Please let me know if you want something...
Cheers,
Polly

pollykwarren@yahoo.com

August 29, 2008 at 9:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Zac,

I have contacted the main satellite TV channel here in South Africa regarding your trip, giving your routing, landfalls to date and expected dates in South African waters.

They have your web site address, blog details, and lane-ail address. I hope they contact team Zac and do a substantial, or several, stories on you adventure.

Dan

I hope th contact

August 30, 2008 at 12:28 AM  
Blogger Chris Myles said...

Wow two reports in one day,

Thanks for the updated position, turns out I noticed the lack of positions reports above .59 and figured you had been reporting minutes instead. The automatic blog position extractor was customized but yesterday's calculation was off. My route guestimate was only off by 59 miles but the standard extractor mistook a strange date/position entry as 8.00 North instead of 0.0 and added 828 miles to Zac's trip. (Sorry Zac).

The Total so far is 6855nM.
www.creative-cruising.com/TrackZac.

I'll re-adjust the blog extractor back to normal once the syntax gets formalized. I do agree with the masses about removing " for seconds (since it's decimal minutes) and the removal of "deg" would make it a standard format. But I'll code anything, I'm just happy to be able to follow Zac.

Go Zac Go!!

ps. Geek talk below..

"Normal" Positions come in the following flavors:

dd.ddd S dd.ddd E
dd mm.mmm S dd mm.mmm E

with either /, or a space (but never -) separating the two.

or a decimal form
-dd.ddd dd.ddd (negative values for south and west). The actual geo microformat includes a ; between the values but requires HTML/rich text formating which is impossible via boat email.

if anyone actually made it THIS far , it's easy for a human to notice a lat/lng format but this is what it takes to make software find it..

/\s\d+[\d\.]*[\s'\u00b0\u00ba]?[\d\."'\s]*[NS]+[\s\/\,]*\d+[\d\.]*[\s\u00b0'\u00ba]?[\d\."'\s]*[EW]+/

August 30, 2008 at 3:42 AM  
Blogger Anita said...

Thanks Team Zac for the update. Y'all are working like a well oiled machine......get that boat engine on line and y'all will be golden!!!

Thanks for the address, I'll have to see what I can come up with for a little care package :)

Happy to hear that Zac is resting, Lord knows that boy needs it!

Many blessings, know that you are all in prayer.

Anita ~_/)
Waterloo, NY USA!!!

August 30, 2008 at 4:14 AM  
Blogger davejb851 said...

Zac......congrats on the Pacific crossing....it is a truly amazing accomplishment.
Now rest and repair that engine. get some good food, and restock your supplies......then on to Darwin.

Great job!!

August 30, 2008 at 4:58 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Phew...maybe we can all use the sleep with you. The chapters in this saga get pretty scary at times.
Didn't think about google earth so I could get a better handle as a landlubber where you are. Wow...a new dimension for an old man. I just love you and your adventure.
I got a t-shirt and am advertising all over town here in Maine. It always gets a comment and I always get a chance to tell about you and add to your wake.
many blessings on you-
-Charlie, the old coot

August 30, 2008 at 5:04 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hey there Zac. Maybe Daddy is not there with you, but he is watching. When you get that urge to stop off at the tatoo parlor, remember, he is always watching. And when you walk past the barber shop, be aware Bill is also always watching.

Enjoy your stay, however not only is Daddy and Bill watching, so is a good chunk of the world. Damn tough to be living in a fish bowl and have everybody watching your every move, isn't it? :-)

Enjoy, relax and remember that Monday is a holiday so although you are not here, you still deserve the holiday.

And Laurence, be sure to let us know how it went last night.

Bill Mann
bill at barstools4u dot com

August 30, 2008 at 6:45 AM  
Blogger Willyboy said...

Oooo... Just got USGS notice that PNG was hit with a 6.3 earthquake. Looks to be on the north side of the island, though. Hope this didn't cause any difficulties.
http://tinyurl.com/675n6v
(links to USGS page for the quake)

willy
milford, ohio

August 30, 2008 at 6:48 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi to Zac and Team Sunderland,


Wow, this story is more amazing each day. We are constantly on the edge of our seats.


We are glad to hear that you are safe and sound and getting some rest for yourself and Intrepid.


My husband worked in the engine room on Navy ships for many years, and feels your "engine" pains. I am sure that the Yanmar folks will get this all worked out for you.


You are one brave and tenancious young man.

Get lots of rest and get ready for the rest of this incredible journey.

Stay safe.

We would love to donate some frequent flyer miles, as well.


Bill and Linda
Washington DC

August 30, 2008 at 7:34 AM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Hello Laurence,

I hope everything went well yesterday at the Tavern in Oxnard. Please let us know how many people showed up, if you were able to get Zac on the phone with all the questions, and generally how the evening went. Hopefully you received many tips!!! I really wish I could have been there. I can't wait for the West LA meeting. All of us locals would love to be there.

I hope Zac is doing well and he's getting everything he needs to make Darwin without a problem. Please keep us updated on the Yanmar engine and it's final verdict.

Get Rest Zac,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

August 30, 2008 at 9:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tomi/Atl & Marianne:
Excellent idea,I would be more than happy to round up all my mails and donate as well. I have never done that so we need an air mile expert here. Anybody?

Zac,
I'll bet this port call is a little more stressful than Majuro but, stay cool, calm and collected, you will get through it. Make sure you know every single thing this mechanic does to your engine. And don't eat any goofy food, last thing you need is "you know what" going through the Straits. That would not be fun and down right dangerous at that.

You certainly have a lot on your shoulders there alone but take your time and weed through it...you'll get it all done, correctly. You have to, unfortunately the test is the Straits. I hope your contact, Mr. Sutton, has engine experience and/or sailing time.

We are all looking forward to a safe trip to Darwin and an enjoyable time for you there.
Don't forget Thurs. night Market,
food stalls, goods like dried fruits etc. for sale, no alcohol.
This market has received many awards from Au government and it is one of the few Aussie "get togethers" that is not centered on alcohol but on the family. You should be able to provision a little there for cheaper goods. It is called the Mindl Beach Market, they have a web site. Just a reminder and something to look forward to.
Thinking of you and your family today,
Kate

August 30, 2008 at 11:52 AM  
Blogger Marilyn said...

The answer to the question about frequent flier miles is “It depends on the airline.” You can, use your miles for a ticket for someone else, but the airlines have rules about who must receive the ticket. The relationship between the frequent flyer ticket holder and the passenger is usually queried. If the ticket is for someone who does not share your address, or does not share your last name, then be prepared for questions. Check with your airline's frequent flyer department for exact rules on how you can give miles to someone else.

Delta charges $.01 per mile for a transfer to someone else.

I purchased a ticket using my American FF miles for my nephew to fly to Europe last summer, and I don’t remember if American asked me about our relationship, but I do know that I had to do the purchasing. For example, Laurence couldn’t call and give them another person’s FF number and purchase the ticket himself. Since most tickets are E-tickets it was pretty painless. As I remember, there was a small fee of $25 or $50 to make the arrangements by phone or in person, and I don’t think they let you purchase on-line for someone else. Again, each airline is different, so be sure to check with them first.

FF miles cannot be pooled, so one person can’t give 50,000 miles and another person give 50,000 miles adding to a ticket for Laurence that requires 100,000 miles.

Marilyn
Woodland Hills

PS: It was a lot of fun last night in Oxnard. I'll give Marianne and Laurence a chance to say a few words about it first. I have to wait for my friend to come back from the holiday weekend before I can transfer the video to my computer and then put it on YouTube. I don't have the cable that connects the camcorder to my computer.

August 30, 2008 at 2:43 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

To All:
May I post a correction to that prior one:

To paraphrase correctly:

"Excellent idea, I would be more than happy to round up all my AIR
MILES and donate them to the Sunderland Family."

I have never done this, so we need an airline mile expert here. Perhaps someone who has worked with a charity. I have noticed some children's charities have accomplished this. Just a thought.
Kate

August 30, 2008 at 3:23 PM  
Blogger STEVE B said...

Zac,

Welcome to PNG! Awesome job sailing in. Hope you are getting some rest, hot showers and good food.

Steve
Birmingham, Alabama

August 30, 2008 at 3:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I watched White Squall last night... Thought the boat was actually going to pull through there for a minute, since a similar maneuver occurred in Pirates of the Caribbean, with the rolling and flipping... (I know, Disney, but don't tell me other viewers didn't hold out hope, too)... That was indeed scary -- especially the swells -- imagining "little" Intrepid going down into the valleys and up the peaks again, and Zac actually trying to SLEEP while this happens? Yikes!... And if Zac has seen lightening like that, crikey. Stay safe!! Hope PNG is treating you well!

August 30, 2008 at 5:02 PM  
Blogger Glen said...

The Translation...

Hey ZACHARY,

Its incredible that you can stay a long time without taking a shower. Now I understun why the bote smell of roses. You make me remember to one cousing that when we have the same eage that you have, We must pusshimg him to take a bath... Now thank to GOSH, they have a wife to push him to do that !!!

Enyway, I VERY HAPPY that you arrive at port and you are fine... and the issues that its gone appeare, You can solved alone one by one..

You Father & Mother are VERY VERY PROUD OF YOU !!! And the ZAC PAC, you don’t have any idea !!!

Sory for the issue that happend to your Engine, but thing is not happend without any reason, stay calm, when you time comes you understund why this or other issue happened...
Propbably you don’t understund right now “ WHY” , but you gone !!!

The Jocke:

How long yo are at sea?
Two month and a half?
And You can not cach a single FISH ??? Come on
Witch class of survival are YOU?
This happend becouse you have your quitchen full of food....

Advice, its quit dificult to cacht a fish using a TROLING metho.. at the Speed that you go !!!

QUESTIONS

Can You please remenber me the radio frecuencies that you are usualy use, and of course what type of band are used, (Marinne band, HF Frecuency, VC )and the mode.( SSB,LSB, USB....)

What time mode are you used? California Time,UTC ,.... ????



To BECKY ;-))

Thanks Becky for your comment, the reason that I have left from the blog it was simple.
I have a mini ranch in Entre Rios Province (State) and in time to time I must go to this place to do different things, like play with my Bees ( I a bee keeper) and other stuff...
And When I was there, I disconect my self from the rest of wolrd...

And the other reason is that my PC is crashed, the HD collapse and I lost all de data and Information and I must recovery the possible info... because its my other work



To All the bloggers

Thank to all the Bloggers (Old, Young, and kids) that follow day by day, the ZAC adventure and in the same time gave him advices, suggestions and Virtual support..
Its really amaizing and nice to read that, all the time

THANKS TO DO THAT!!!!

****TO TEAM SUNDERLAND:****

!!!!Your are an example of fathers !!!!

Well that is all for today
GOD BLESS YOU ALL and keep you pride HIGH...


Glen(AR) ;-))

August 30, 2008 at 5:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Marilyn (Woodland Hills) for the filming of the Oxnard talk. I look forward to it on YouTube. You are so nice to have done this for the out of state Zac-Paccers.

Thanks Again,
Maureen - Boise

August 30, 2008 at 7:46 PM  
Blogger Tomi said...

Have y'all taken a recent look at Dawn & her daughter's tribute to Capt. Zac?

Check this out! :D
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=36883781
(if the above URL is too long to cut/past try the one below)
http://tinyurl.com/57f7n5

I'm working on getting more details how we may transfer FF miles to Lord Laurence. Will tell y'all more when I have further details. Yes, Miss Marilyn, there may be some fees involved (depends upon the air carrier), but one may tranfer FF miles between air carriers to a specific account. We do need to know the airline Lord Laurence uses. Will advise when I find out the rest of the transfer process.

HUGS!
Tomi/ATL

August 31, 2008 at 12:02 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Although you are in our thoughts and prayers Zac, I think that I speak for all of the great bloggers when I say that we are also thinking and praying for all those in the path of Gustav.

We are all hoping for the least amount of personal turmoil and damage from what promises to be a monumental storm.
Bill Mann

August 31, 2008 at 9:32 AM  
Blogger Hill Family said...

Hi Zac,
Last time we were "anonymous". It was the comment about the sea-monster. Now more comments from the Hill family.

Questions from Brennen:
- How long are you going to be on that island?
- How long are you going to be in the ocean?
- Are the waves splashing on you?
- How much different islands have you been exploring?
- How much food and drinks do you have on the ship?
- When you are on land on the islands what did you see there?

Comments from Lauren:
Hi Zac!
Have you been having fun on the ship?
Have you gotten hurt or slipped on the ship? I hope you didn't.

Best of luck,
Hill family

August 31, 2008 at 9:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac, from August 23 to August 28 you were following almost exactly the course of HMS Pandora of Bounty Mutiny fame. And when you turned North to make Port Moresby at 10 50.767 S, 147 43.973 E, Captain Edwards of the Pandora turned South at 10 54.529 S, 147 41.590 E.

You've undertaken a truly awesome task and upsets were bound to happen. Don't let it get you down, you're doing great.

God bless,
Jim

August 31, 2008 at 10:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To Tomi/Atl

Great job with the myspace video. It brought tears to my eyes~~He is an amazing guy, that Zac!! I have been following his progress
everyday!!

To Marilyn,
I too hope I will be able to make the W. LA Meeting when his Dad gets the event together. It will be fun to meet all that can make it. I am anxiously awaiting your Utube video of the Oxnard get together.Thank you for doing that! I was excited when the Oxnard meeting was announced and I was thinking that I might be able to attend, but I had to work unfortuately. Marilyn I live in North Hills, very close to you in Woodland Hills.

And Zac.....
Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to your next leg to Darwin. I too am a little nervous about the next part of your trip, but your superior knowledge and your terrific parents will get you through the Straits! I never was much for geography, but you have really inspired me and I am learning so much from your adventure. I hope that I will be lucky enough to shake your hand when you arrive back to Marina Del Rey next year, or at the very least be there when you arrive with all the fan fare that you so well deserve!!

Hope you are now well rested and ready to fulfill the next leg of your journey. Your doing great!!

Debbie

August 31, 2008 at 1:31 PM  
Blogger Fulgum said...

Hi, Zac. Sounds like things have been a bit rough. Well, you can rejuvenate for a week before going through the Torres Strait. That will actually be better. You'll be well rested so whatever is required while going through the area you'll be able to react at a moment's notice.

Good going!

scott

P.S. Anybody know? Does it take more than 2 weeks for postcards to Darwin?

August 31, 2008 at 5:04 PM  
Blogger Tomi said...

To Debbie, No Hills, CA -

The video was created by Dawn & her daughter. They are the creative ones & deserve full credit for their efforts.

Dawn -
Nice tunes in the background btw!

HUGS!
Tomi/ATL

August 31, 2008 at 5:27 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Love the shot of you on the stern- gives a good perspective of how beautiful your craft is, but also just how much space you're working with day after day.Not to mention,, how tiny that craft is up against that huge natural force.

August 31, 2008 at 5:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To Tomi/Atl,
Thanks for the correction. After I wrote the last blog and sent it, I realized that it was Dawn & her daughter that put the myspaace video together!! OOps!! But I would never had seen it if it hadn't been brought to my attention by you!! So thanks to all of you!! I agree the tunes were terrific! The whole compilation was very nice!

Deb!!

August 31, 2008 at 10:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Zac.
How is the engine doing? Do you already have a ETS for Port Morseby?

For flying:
It's probably "one world alliance" with American and Quantas etc.

September 1, 2008 at 7:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac, Marianne, and Laurence,

Thinking of you on this Labor Day and hopeful that the engine problems are more minimal than anticipated.

Also, having traveled through some rough parts of the world, I hope Zac is staying safe in Port Moresby.

Good luck and we're praying for you.

Brian in DC

September 1, 2008 at 2:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac, are you still sleeping? :)

September 1, 2008 at 6:27 PM  
Blogger Croaker of FrogPond said...

Three days and no dose of Zac's Adventure. I'm going
into withdrawal!

I'm trying to take it as a positive sign that all sorts of problems are being resolved and the way is being waxed for smoother sailing after PNG.

September 1, 2008 at 7:41 PM  
Blogger qazwsx said...

I have updated the Google map with all of Zac's waypoints with this data. Take a look here

September 1, 2008 at 9:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonderful video and tunes on myspace! Great photos of Zac, his family and Intrepid. Thank you so much!

Jennifer
Sherman Oaks, CA

September 1, 2008 at 11:26 PM  
Blogger Clay said...

I am back to only imagining.
Haven't heard in awhile
So I have some drawings of Zac,
helps me to imagine only what I can imagine thanks to Zac. I want to share with you.

http://clay-xyz01.blogspot.com/


I pray your okay Zac!

September 2, 2008 at 9:21 AM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Hello Zac & Everyone,

I'm sure all the repairs are getting done currently. Hopefully everyone doesn't worry about Zac and the lack of communication. We need to remember when he's on land many things need to be taken care of so everyone hang in there a little while.

Thanks to Qazwsx for the Google Map updates. They were great.

Marilyn from Woodland Hills, I can't wait to see the video you took at last Fridays Tavern meeting. Hopefully you'll be able to put in on You Tube and let us know when it's up. I hope to hear your impressions about the meeting soon.

Let's all wait patiently for our next update.

Take Care Everyone,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

September 2, 2008 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Zac and Team Sunderland,

Hope that all is going well with the engine, obtaining your Visa, etc. and that you have gotten lots of rest by now.

Although, my guess is that you are probably spending much time working on the boat.

The Zac Pac are all patiently waiting to receive word from you soon.

Bill and Linda
Washington DC

September 2, 2008 at 12:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The USPS website states that delivery to Australia varies. This is in relationship to standard first class mailing of a legal size envelope. The postage for that would be 94 cents.

Other options for mailing can get a letter there in 6-10 days but range in price from $11.95 to $25.95. Of course packages cost more and take more time because of Customs clearance issues.

I didn't look up info for UPS, FedEx, or DHL but the USPS info should give you some idea of what you are looking at when sending encouragement to Zac.

September 2, 2008 at 1:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey team zac,
is everything ok?4 days and no zac! please post soon, were all getting a bit worried.

September 2, 2008 at 4:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

cujcaarfSay hey ZacPac...

"you all" are some pretty incredible bloggers...

thanx capt. john scott, excellent insight for Zac and the real lesson of those not knowing what they're doing while working on your boat...

billabong, i was ripping and laughing at what it takes for the software to understand position, thanx for the imput...

to misswarren, the answer...YES,in fact double yes yes...so thoughtful

the mileage idea sounds super great, thanx tomi and if anyone knows someone with a buddy pass... be nice if marianne, laurence and ben were there for Zac's 17th birthday , (november 29th)...88days away

thanx dawn and your daughter for the Myspace hard work,haven't gotten there but will soon... :-)

and Glen(ar) with the bee's, thanx for stretching me in espanol... but the translation is really really appreciated...

and jim in Carlsbad... what's the odds of that???

and to all the other bloggers...
it remindsa me of when we took those long trips sitting in the back asking, "are we there yet?"... "how much longer?"

so while we patiently wait (for the next Team Sunderland imput)...
lets just entertain ourselves and have some fun and say lotsa prayers

and before you know it... we'll be undersail again...

and just know that that's gonna be one incredible party at MDR, definitely will be more than just a one day affair...

mark and adino vicksburg,mississippi
thanks for all your prayers
we were spared from Gustav...

September 2, 2008 at 4:51 PM  
Blogger Xray said...

Hey Zac
Way to go sailing into the harbor, with all those nay sayers giving you flac about being towed in, you made it right with one flat our move. Wisdom beyond your years. I singlehandled in Tahoe this weekend in Zephyrus, my 30 footer in 20 to 30knot winds. I can't imagine doing it day after day. Gods speed.
Fair winds....._/)

September 2, 2008 at 6:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi all!
I know we are are all sitting on pins and needles to get an update but i am so glad to see everybody holding back and letting Team Sunderland focus on getting Zac back on track and Intrepid her needed repairs. You all are an awesome group of caring people and i always enjoy reading your posts. Lets join together and pray for the repairs to go well and for Zac's spirit to be rejuvenated through our love and faith in God.
Godspeed Zac, Marianne and Laurence! We wish you all the best!
Blessings
Terri from Gloucester VA

September 2, 2008 at 6:08 PM  
Blogger Peter said...

Zac, Check out the story on CNN on-line called "Lost At Sea". It is very interesting as Dom Mee describes sailing alone. This guy rowed 5,000 miles accross the Pacific and was then sailing via being pulled by a kite accross the Atlantic in '05. There is an interview with him, even comparing his camera to Wilson (Tom Hanks companion)
Probably it would be more interesting to us, the followers of your adventure. There seems to be some insight as to just how it may be for you.
Check it out! Sail safe, we are all with you.

Peter Mercer Ontario, Canada

September 2, 2008 at 6:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac to leave Port Moresby on Wednesday according to Pacific Magazine:

http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2008/09/03/solo-sailor-zac-sunderland-ready-to-leave-port-moresby-for-darwin

September 2, 2008 at 7:38 PM  
Blogger Croaker of FrogPond said...

Zac:

You OK, buddy? Hope that you're busy getting Intrepid up to the task of taking on the Torres Straits and not crumpled in your bunk with some form of Montezuma's Revenge. Surely you're not suceptible to that after making it through pig's liver in blood -- I cringe just typing it!

Here's a to-do when you have a few minutes you need to fill ... sit on the sterm with a line in the water. Maybe you can catch a fish while in port. It doesn't matter where you catch it, it will still break the spell that has you a good percentage into your trip without a fish! (I don't care who you are, that's still funny!)

May your stay in PNG have lots of happiness, but no real surprises.

FrogPond

September 2, 2008 at 7:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zach,

Your trials continue to build your internal spirit and lift our hope for the future. Every sailor who has ever survived/or not any of our mother ocean's productions, respect and revear her magisty. You seem to have a unique apptitude and spirite. I am watching and at this point you have my respect. May God continue to bless and protect you.

Zyph

September 2, 2008 at 10:07 PM  

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