News!
Latest Postion: St Helena Island - approximately 16S 5 47W
We still have not spoken to Zac but have spoken briefly to Jen who told us that Zac had arrived, was checking in with customs and was then going to get a hot dinner. He had a difficult last few days because the wind vane does not steer well in such light winds. His small mechanical autopilot (about his 6th one) burnt up again! This meant that he had to hand steer for several days. More news to follow...
I have a busy morning so will not post more for a few hours but there are some very interesting comments and links in the comments attached to the last post. If you click on the yellowish 'comments' link at the end of the post you can read them.
Cheers,
Marianne
We still have not spoken to Zac but have spoken briefly to Jen who told us that Zac had arrived, was checking in with customs and was then going to get a hot dinner. He had a difficult last few days because the wind vane does not steer well in such light winds. His small mechanical autopilot (about his 6th one) burnt up again! This meant that he had to hand steer for several days. More news to follow...
I have a busy morning so will not post more for a few hours but there are some very interesting comments and links in the comments attached to the last post. If you click on the yellowish 'comments' link at the end of the post you can read them.
Cheers,
Marianne
posted by Zac at
10:31 AM
28 Comments:
good news!!
Hi Marianne,
Regarding the comment about the football players in Florida; That was a tragic event that never should have happened. Had they listened to an extended forecast, not ventured 30-50 miles offshore in a 21' open boat, had they a 406Mhz GPIRB on board and even an emergency liferaft in a valise, they would most likely all be home safe and sound today. Zac on the otherhand is an experienced, open-water sailor in a sailboat with the proper gear on board (even if everything doesn't work all the time from the punishment the ocean deals out). I/we have all the faith in the world in Zacs ability, keeping in mind his respect for Mother Nature, the ocean and the elements. Congratulations Zac on another leg completed. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Glad you made it in before dark. Hopefully, you found secure & safe anchorage. Rest well Capt!
Thx Lady Marianne for the update!
Warm Fuzzy HUGS y'all!
Tomi/ATL
Just heard Zac's interview on St Helena radio!! He sounds great... said he drifted for two days because there were no winds and he couldn't start the engine. Had to be towed in, I think they said.
Wow...
Hi,
I just heard Zac on St FM (http://www.saint.fm/). It was a recorded interview from earlier in the 7pm news. If I got it right, he arrived at 2pm local time today (http://tinyurl.com/ZacsPorts). The rest of the information is the same as in Marianne's post.
Zac, congratulations for completing another leg. Now get a good rest, and charge your and your sat phone's batteries.
Cheers,
RK
All right! Another hurdle jumped-another port to call home for a few days. Too bad about the autopilot - maybe just use while asleep. Good luck.
Big Wave Dave in Pacific Grove
Yes! Glad to hear he's safe in harbor.
Margaret
Yeah Zac!!!!!!
Thanks Jen for being there when Zac arrived and again thanks to Marianne for the post.
He's headed home folks......whoohoo! Sure wish I could be in MDR for that.
Rest up and enjoy your time in St. Helena, we'll look forward to your next post.
Blessings to all.
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Wombat
Here is the correct address of Jen's blog [ earlier one was misspelt :-) ]
Wait till you read Jen's stories of coincidences. Out of control:
http://jennedney.blogspot.com/
For the direct link to the radio station. This will open in Windows Media Player from the following link, for the Windows crowd :-) :
mms://wm-live.abacast.com/saintfm-saint_fm-32
Oh joy! So glad to hear Zac has made it safely again to another destination... I'm so looking forward to his account of what it's been like at sea again after his extended stay in CT as well as read all about the locals in St. Helena. And of course also looking forward to seeing Zac and the people of St. Helena through Jen's beautiful photography. Congratulations! Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
Thanks to Anonymous for catching my misspelling of jen's blogspot address. I tried really hard to get it right but just hit the wrong keys putting the e in the wrong spot.
The blog and pictures are so good. Thanks Jen!
Many Thanks again to whomever caught my error,
Kathy
Praising the Lord for this good news! Steve
Hopefully, Zac has learned the are of Sheet to Tiller self steering. It is an art form but very functional. For those interested take a look at www.jsward.com/steering/index.shtml
Xray
Hopefully Zac has learned the art of Sheet to tiller self steering. It's a tried and true old world way of steering a certain angle off the wind. For those interested try www.jsward.com/steering/index.shtml
Fair Winds, but not to fair.
~_/)
Xray
Marianne, Lawrence and Zac,
Isn't there a device now (like an Epirb/and or GPS combination) that not only notifies authorities in an emergency but also notifies your friends or family just so they know your position??? I'm sure I have seen one advertised that you can program in a phone number or email address and just let that person know where you are. I think they are mainly used for hikers but it could also be used for sailing?? That might be something to look into in case the sat phone dies again. At least you would know where Zac is because he could just push a button any time and you would know he is ok and exactly where he is. Just a thought. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and has money to donate, maybe they could send it to Zac.
Patrick
Marianne, Lawrence and Zac,
I found a link the the "Spot" device that lets your loved ones know where you are around the clock. It sends a message to family or friends with your exact position. In case your sat phone dies, it may not be a bad backup to have. You've still got a ways to go little buddy and you don't want to be on a long leg without any means of communication. Just another thought. Maybe someone can donate one to you or Spot can give you one for promoting it. It would be great publicity for them! Here is the link:
http://www.findmespot.com/en/whousesspot/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=31
Patrick
I hope that the repairs to the various systems can be accomplished in St.Helena. I understand that there is no airport there and the Mail ship only visits monthly. Hopefully there is a ships chandler there.
Best of luck on your way home Zac. Your adventures have kept us all on tender hooks!!
great to hear your safe Zac.
when are you going to post a new video clip? The last one of you sailing was 6 months ago.
Pretty pretty pretty pretty KOOL!
Know that Zac enjoyed the hot meal !!!!
Hello All,
Well it's nice to hear that Zac is finally in. Not that I ever thought he wouldn't be in. Zac has become so much wiser since this journey started. I knew he would arrive well but tired I'm sure.
@ Jen, good luck with your change of plans. Please be careful and keep that camera rolling.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Another leg done, and closer to home....how grand it is.
Zac, we stay so proud and excited as you get nearer and nearer. Hopefully we can watch on the Canal cams as you pass through the different locks.
My Scout Troop is buzzing with talk of how great it will be when they don't need to keep an eye on you, but how exciting it will be to witness your new adventures and accomplishments.
I don't know if you're fully aware of the impact your having on young people your age....and not just us old folks. But it is profound.
Keep sailing young man, sail home to family and friends, and to history.
Hi all.. just checked off one more stop on Zac's itinerary... only 2 more to go how cool is that!
Zac, hope you have a nice stay on St. Helena and you don't have too much trouble finding all you need for repairs and provisions.. that next leg is a long one but MDR is getting closer and closer..i will definitely be at that port!!
Stay safe and have a great time.
Laura BD
Greetings Gentle Readers,
My favorite part about following Zac via the Internet is listening to the local radio stations, reading about the destinations, and "visiting" with Google maps. While one of my favorite pasttimes is reading books about travel, technology has redefined "vicarious"!!
I'm listening to Saint FM now, but, alas, I missed yesterday's interview. Hopefully someone recorded it for a later podcast.
Zac, with St. Helena being such a tight-knit community, you're sure to meet some wonderfully memorable people during your stay. Have a great time!
Troy Brimm
Modesto, CA
I jumped on way before Zac departed on his latest adventure, but for the longest time [and time again], this web-site's domain 'could not be found'. Last night I found him on twitter after I signed-up, and that in-turn led me to this domain again. I was quite surprised that it popped-up. Yay Zac! Very happy to learn of the latest, but disappointed to have missed out on so much. It'll take me awhile, but I'll catch up on previous posts. All best to all.
Happy Days he's in St.Helena.........
'Brilliant' Zac!
Get some rest. I hope you are able to get the auto pilot fixed before the next HUGE leg. Goodness!
On to Jacobs ladder....
Namaste***
Today's newspaper.The St Helena Independant. Zac on the cover.
http://www.independent.co.sh/20090306.pdf [5.6MB file]
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