Across the Van Deimen Gulf
Zac off Darwin in the Arafura Sea
Photo by Jen Edney
Word has it that Zac will be in early to late evening. Depends on wind and currents. Laurence and Jen were going to try to meet him in a power boat about 40 miles off. Sorry, not too much info but a picture is worth a thousand words, right?
posted by Zac at
10:00 PM
40 Comments:
Awesome shot,
I'm sure both father and son were very happy (and proud)!!
There has been some discussion in the past about "unassisted and singlehanded" and how much help disqualifies someone from a record. If you don't know of Tania Aebi and her quest in the late 80's, "Maiden Voyage" is a great read. She was disqualified from the "official record" for a stretch she sailed with her boyfriend (I've heard everything from 1 to 80 miles). Of course the world still recognizes her for her amazing feat regardless of what the record books say, but it always help to err on the side of caution if the record is the goal.
whoohooo!! photos are great! I really feal like I'm on the boat with Zac... what are we all going to do after this adventure is over??????
enjoy daddy time Zac and get some rest!
Jen
Indeed! A picture is worth a thousand words. Thank you!
from Iowa
Thanks for the pic. Following along as much as I can.
J
http://adventuresinvoluntarysimplicity.blogspot.com/
Lord watch over Zac as his boat is so small and the sea is so big.
Hello Zac & Team Sunderland,
Thank you so much Jen for taking that picture and posting it so everyone could enjoy it. Since we haven't heard from Zac for quite sometime it's a welcomed site.
Jen, did you take that picture from a helicopter or airplane? Your correct "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" Great Picture.
I'm sure both Zac & Laurence are anxious to finally see each other. It shouldn't be much longer now. Hopefully Intrepid won't need too much work and both Zac & Laurence can have a little fun. Good luck getting all those repairs done and pulling Intrepid out of the water.
Cheers Mate,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
WOW!! Great photo!!! THANKS!
Fair winds, best wishes for a safe landing in Darwin!
Anita
Hello Again,
Well I answered my own question about the plane or helicopter. I only saw yesterdays post after sending my first post today. So I know the picture was taken from a plane.
Thanks Jen,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Hi everyone,
Cool photo of Intrepid. I am sure that Laurence would have loved to just jump out of the plane to be closer to Zac, if it were at all possible.
It won't be long now.
God speed.
Linda and Bill
Washington DC
Great pic on Intrepid. Looks like he is cruising right along. Looking at Google Earth. Does that boat yard has a concrete ramp on the beach to haul out boats? Like to see pics from that manouver :-)
Axel
I am believing that I can say "WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA, ZAC!" Many blessings and good things while you are on land. TOTAL refreshing/rejuvenation would be good. Is that too much to ask? Anyway...
Enjoy the locals and tell us what you learned, what you saw and who you met, and what you ate...And don't forget the photo IN FRONT OF the un-entered barbershop! ;)
LA
According to this post this morning, you should by now have had the biggest hug in the world from your Dad!!! The entire Zac Pac is beaming from ear to ear, wrapping our arms around you as well! Rest, eat, fix boat, eat, rest ... ENJOY!!!
Linnae
Brooklyn Park, MN
Great picture!!! Zac your AMAZING!!
Zac-
Good on ya, mate! Now its time for sleep and great food....
Cheering you on in Alaska....
Kodiak Mike
KMXT-FM
Absolutely beautiful picture, bursting with admiration and happiness for all of you right now... Take good care Zac, Lawrence, Marianne, and everyone else helping make this dream a reality!
Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
Christmas Island sounds awesome for diving. YOU MUST if you can!
From their tourism website:
This unique marine environment is waiting to be explored!!!
Our scuba diving trips boast endless kilometres of spectacular wall diving, untouched corals, hundreds of species of tropical fish, dolphins, whalesharks, warm clear water, the opportunity to see magnificent marine life - what more could you expect from the ultimate scuba diving trip and experience?"
I sure hope you can...but enjoy Darwin first. ;)
~ LA
Beautiful picture, Jen! Thanks for sharing it with us Marianne.
The currents are most definitely pretty calm out there...
@ Marianne: What was the longest solo trip that Zac has ever taken prior to this venture?
Melanie in Torrance
What a beautiful and graceful site to see.
@ Axel - I'm sure they have a sling lift...
@ Melanie in Torrence - I believe Zac's longest solo trip prior this adventure was a day or so. But I'm quite confident that he singled handed many vessels with mom and dad silently watching, so it's not like Zac was tossed out to sea...
@ Melanie in Torrence II - The currents are the direction the water is moving below the surface due to moon tides. I beleive what you are referring to being calm are "the seas".. The seas can be calm, but the current could be moving at 2-5kts, depending if it's open ocean, gulf-stream, or a narrow pass.
I believe that Zac had negative movement either on his was to Majuro or PNG for about 20 hours, meaning, there wasn't enough wind to propel him fwd, and the currents (tidal flow) pulled him backwards...
Take care all,
Daveh & Skipper
PS - Yes, fantastico aerial photo!
GREAT picture! Thank you so much!
Enjoy Darwin, Zac! Welcome!
Jennifer
Sherman Oaks, CA
Yo! Cap'n Zac!
Humming 'Waltzing Matilda' here!
It's fair dinkum that you're the best sixteen year old sailor I "know"!
Woohoo! By now you must be in Darwin - shared a big hug w/ Dad Laurence and all waiting to greet you - eaten something good that someone ELSE fixed (LOL) and gotten some rest.
That must have been soooooo cool to hear from your dad and know that he was flying overhead and you could actually see each other. I got major goosebumps just reading the last two posts and looking at that pic of the Intrepid - thanks SOOO much, Jen!
And thanks also to Marianne, Karen, the Majuro Team Zac, and all who are keeping us informed, entertained and enthralled!
Zac - Lots of huge virtual hugs are coming to you - I hope that you can feel them - I am so glad that you are safely in Darwin!
Cheers!
Kathy
P.S. And, Zac, I can't wait to read what you have to say about all the recent goings on...
Marianne,
You're right, a picture is worth a thousand words and even some tears of joy as well!
It's amazing how we can feel such pride and emotion for a young man (and his family) that we have never met.
This journey just keeps getting better all the time. I share the same question as Jen has. What will we all do when this adventure is over?
Laurence and Zac,
Enjoy Darwin and your time together!
Mona
Tucson, AZ
After yesterdays blog posting ("News from Darwin") there was an inquiry from "elizabeth / usa" related to the phrase "don't want to hove to off the port".
The term "heave to" refers to lashing the sails and rudder in such a way as to stop forward progress. The mainsail is set in a way as to make the boat move forward, while at the same time attempting to turn the boat towards the wind. The foresail is set (lashed to the upwind side of the boat) so as the tend to drive the boat backwards, while trying to turn it away from the wind. If everything is set properly an equilibrium is established with the boat quietly drifting slowly sideways.
In Zac's case he probably mentioned this because he may not have wanted to enter the Darwin area at night. Heaving to allows for basically "parking" the boat while awaitng daylight.
Marianne:
As one mother to another - When do you get to meet up with Zac? Getting all the reports is great, but you need a hug from your son!!
All our prays are with Zac for a safe trip and your family for peace of mind.
Hi There Zac,
Well Done!~ Well done!~
Enjoy your R&R and may Intrepid be
back in tip top condition very soon. The aerial photo is amazing.
We are very proud of you Zac, and the entire Sunderland Team!
Blessings,
Bob in OKC
Awesome picture...so happy to see the Intrepid and knowing that Zac is sailing along happily and safe.
Cheers!
OK we all should go to our local "OUTBACK" for dinner in honor of Zac this weekend!! Also wondering if any thought on a "Half way" shirt yet?
Laura:)
Bermuda Dunes CA
Fantastic picture! Zac you and Intrepid are looking fine. Enjoy your rest & good food in Darwin.
Sally
Annapolis, MD
It's so cool to see the photo and give us all a "reality check" that Zac is on track and doing well. What an amazing shot and I for one, really needed to see this! Thanks Jen!
Blessings for a safe and speedy fix to Intrepid and then some d-o-w-n time!
Oh so smooth! I can not sit by quietly now. I have been following Zac's adventures since he left MDR, and enjoying the venture and everyones post and not saying anything. So this is my very first post, hope it works. The picture today just took my breath away. Mom, Dad and all the Zac supporters I share your pride.
Zac you are a brave man, that has a great passion for life. Wow!
Gen
from Hiram, GA
The actual sight of the boat at sea really contrasted nicely with reading the blog and was exciting to see. I bet Zac had a similar reaction to Dad flying overhead!
Go Zac, Go!
Steve
Birmingham, AL
I'm sure Zac will be ready for a great big Australian steak, he should try the Hog's Breath Cafe; it's only a block or two from the waterfront and is known for the best Prime Rib Steaks in Australia. Good luck with the haul out, and Zac I'm looking forward to a post from you one of these days.
Beautiful pic of Intrepid sailing along!
Zac, hope you finally made it to Darwin safe and sound. Enjoy your time with Dad, eat well, rest and take in the sights. Hope all repairs go well.
You have accomplished so much and will continue to do so. Take care!
Dick & Gin
Upland
Zac,
My family home schools too. We are studying about the South Pacific Ocean and found out about your trip. We are going to be praying for you. I am amazed that a young person can sail around the world alone. You are very brave! Have a great time with your dad.
Josiah
age 11
G'day mate.
Very cool pic.
Tie me kangaroo down sport and try some good wholesome Australian cuisine.
Fair winds....._/)
Xray
Great picture!! Love it. Glad to know what's up. Have a good time, Zac.
Elissa
Houston, TX
Sir Captain Zac, YOU, are the MAN
August 9th(40days),seems so long long ago,as you glided out of Majuro, so so much has happened...
and you've handled it all excellently, how you're growing!!
yes that is, "amazing grace"...
The glimpse of beautiful "Intrepid"
she looks angelic as her sails closed hauled look like wings, holding her precious cargo..."YOU"
the view for you, Laurence the same as Zac's other FATHER sees him every moment of every day.
how your first sighting must have been beyond words,
after all the blue miles you'ld traveled at some 500 plus miles an hour just to get there,
yeah man, you just couldn't hang and wait at the dock, LOL...
in the movie the tears are all gonna be flowing for sure.
You, Marianne, Team Sunderland, and all the other Team Supports, along with all the ZacPac'ers... bustin out all over so very very proud,
what a privelege to be on this journey... what a privelege
You are so courageous Zac, really courageous...
not just the physical endurance, but the mental and emotional as well...
Josiah age 11 summed it up best
"you are very brave,"
lonliness can be excrusiating at times, remember the hitch hiking "booby"
Darwin is gonna be a great great experience,
Lots to do, but you Sunderlands
never faded under a challenge, thats for sure and faithful "Intrepid", she needs a good going over to prep her for this next leg...
be great for you, Marianne to start your blog... give us a heads up on all the other Sunderland Team, ages, b'days and the like, after all we're all in this together...LOL
mark n adino Vicksburg,Mississippi
Zac be at peace
in your FATHER'S arms
be at peace
so glad to here zac is on land and safe. I can not believe how far he is going! zac: why are you not posting? we miss you! although word from anyone is always nice, its super duper nice to here from you! THE zac!
-TT
Is it justme or am I the only one checking every few hours to see if Zac has made it to Darwin!?!
Hello Marianne. This is the most beautiful picture in the world! Intrepid is proudly sailing along as she & Zac head into Darwin. Once they arrive, both deserve a long rest and a plenty of TLC!! We all can rest a bit too and get ready for the next leg of Zac's adventure.
Jeff
Marina del Rey & Santa Clarita, CA
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