Friday, March 6, 2009

St Helena

Zac's arrival in St Helena
I know you are all wondering what is going on with Zac. Apparently the sat phone reception in St Helena isn't very good so we have not spoken to Zac except for a very brief check in way too early this morning. :) We expect to hear from him later today but for now wanted to post an update from Jen and a few photos...
Yesterday Zac had a few people come out to greet him, took some photos with them and had a couple interviews…one down by the water and another in the local radio station. Then he was offered a room to stay in and a shower by the guy who runs the station. (Which is right above the station and right next door to where I am staying) The Levy family came out as well and have invited us over for a Braai sometime…I might not be able to because I leave Sunday afternoon but Zac will.
We are going to grab some breakfast here pretty soon, have some delicious local coffee then head out for the tour. Hope you are having a good sleep and we will get back to you soon!
Jen
Zac is planning on being in St Helena for at least a few days. He was unable to start his engine in St. Helena because it appears that his starter motor has died. He'll be looking in to having it rebuilt. Also, Laurence asked me to mention that in my last post I wrote that Zac's windvane does not steer well in light winds. This situation is unique to his boat. Most boats do steer well with the Monitor Windvane. Zac or Jen will be sending over some photos of the system for Hans to troubleshoot.
Cheers,
Marianne
Zac entering Jamestown Harbor, St. Helena Island

23 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Jen for the great photos. The color of that water is beautiful!

So happy Zac made it safe and sound to St. Helena and hoping that engine repairs are easy. We will be watching the Natl. Geo. "Kingdom of the Blue Whales" Sunday night. Has Zac seen anything so magnificent in his ocean crossings? Seeing one breach would be a sight to behold.

Blessings to All,

Maureen
Boise

March 6, 2009 at 12:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This has been a great ride following Zac along the way. I can't believe he's made it to St. Helena. Seems like it was always so far in future that I never paid it much attention. Congratulations Zac. I want you to know that there are many people who look forward to your updates and are having a great time following along. Take care.

March 6, 2009 at 12:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So very glad for the posts and pictures. Thank you Jen and Marianne. And Zac - so, so glad you are safely in St Helena. Get lots of quality rest and I will pray that the right folks gather round to help fix up Intrepid for the long next leg.

May you be blessed and stay well and safe,
Kathy
Bend, OR

March 6, 2009 at 1:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lovely photos Jen... you are getting better at capturing the beauty of sailing.... it is a difficult art!

Zac, glad to see you are in St Helena.

Fair Winds all the way home...

March 6, 2009 at 1:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Article in the St Helena Independant today. Also nice photos. What a welcome he received. St Helena certainly quite hospitable. Well Done.

http://www.independent.co.sh/20090306.pdf

March 6, 2009 at 1:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My wife and I have been following Zac's voyage with extreme interest; because we took almost the same route on a 30 foot Allied Seawind Ketch back in 1971 - 1974 when we were in our late twenties early 30s. It is so great to see a young person out there navigating the oceans of the world.

Ask Jen to take and post a picture of Dot's Cafe if it is still in existence.

When sailing northwest along the upper coast of Brazil and South America, Tell Zac to stay far enough offshore to miss the southeast current along the coast and also to miss any debris coming out of the Amazon River.

March 6, 2009 at 1:48 PM  
Blogger Anita said...

Ohh photos! Thank you Jen!!
How wonderful for Jen to be able to follow along Zac's adventure....and wonderful for all of us to take in all her photos! Thank you!!

Zac, hopefully your repairs will go smoothly!

Blessings
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Wombat

March 6, 2009 at 1:52 PM  
Blogger c/v Celtic Pride said...

Great news about Zac arriving safe and sound and great pictures of Zac and Intrepid. Ummm, it didn't appear Zac was wearing a PFD nor a tether while out of the cockpit. I know he has safely sailed around most of the world safely...but hope he continues to always be safe.

March 6, 2009 at 2:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What magnificent 'action'pictures...
thank you Jen.I bet they are a real treat for the Sunderlands to see.
Great to see Zac again....truly amazing to think he has reached St Helena and like someone else said...he is here, but at one time, not so long ago, St Helena seemed so far away.
Congratulations on this leg Zac.
Good to know that Zac has somewhere to stay and hopefully, as ever, will be well looked after.
A few problems to be sorted out, so we hope that the right person will be there at just the right time to help him out.
Jen, you are going already! Gee!
Well you will be able to show Zac around and introduce him to people, before you go, so that's great.Then you will be on your own journey...wow.I wish you all the very best and look forward to hearing how you are doing.

UK friend

March 6, 2009 at 2:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac-
Yep---Radio people are kinda neat, aren't they???
Enjoy your stay
Kodiak Mike
(KMXT-FM)

March 6, 2009 at 3:28 PM  
Blogger Croaker of FrogPond said...

@Marianne and Jen

I have not been able to 'catchup' for a couple of days. I quickly scrolled to where I last visited. I was not aware of passing over the photos of Zac arriving in St. Helena. I shared the anxiety of Marianne when the family had not heard from Zac -- and I'm not a mother! I was lucky that my anxiety was quickly relieved by subsequent posts of contact and arrival in port.

@Jen

You are a wonderful lady! Zac is in port and seeing is believing! The pictures are great and there's that thing about 10,000 words. WE hear you loud and clear!! You are appreciated.

@Zac

As usual, you are just out there taking care of business. Damn the torpedos and full speed ahead!! I empathize with you having to do all that hand steering, but I'll bet that Inteprid appreciated the hands-on contact of the master.

Ok, another milestone has been reached. Please let us know what's in store for the next leg and exactly what the route will be.

Carry on Captain,

The Croaker

March 6, 2009 at 3:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

where is saint helena ( I am only 9)

March 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM  
Blogger daniel said...

Thaks for keeping us informed of Zacs progress . Me and my wife are watching Zacs journey with great interest. We wish him well and and hope he does nt get too lonely out there. All the best and it looks like he is going to make the record. Well done.
Regards Daniel And AL

March 6, 2009 at 5:10 PM  
Blogger Tomi said...

I just love the first pic! Thx Miss Jen!!

Very pleased Capt Zac! made safe harbor/anchorage - was a wee bit nervous over that. May your visit to St Helena be enjoyable - it's a beautiful island. Hopefully, they'll be able to get the UK govmt to approve their planned airport.

I noticed Capt Zac!'s store has a sale going on. I ordered a couple more items as well as sent some more funds. Great to be able to do it all in one purchase. :)

Enjoy your time in St Helena Capt & Miss Jen.

Warm Fuzzy HUGS! y'all.
Tomi/ATL

March 6, 2009 at 5:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac: glad you & Intrepid are safe in S.H. Enjoy your few days on the hard. We're all gearing up with you for the trip across the 'big pond!."

Jeff
MDR via Santa Clarita

March 6, 2009 at 6:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time means something different on a sailboat.Attention has to be paid to tides,weather and wind.
The turning of gears and dials on a machine made by man called a clock isn't as important(only when used to pin point your position)
............joy of sailing is measuring the lapse of time by more natural means.
Straight Wakes,
Mike S.

March 6, 2009 at 8:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great photos! Zac is lucky ti have Jen documenting his journey (at mostly her expense), but I know karma will shine on her in the future and success will be hers.

I read up a little on St Helena, sounds like an awseome island, although it might still be a little too primitive. I hope Zac is able to get the starter rebuild parts.

Have fun exploring!

March 6, 2009 at 8:43 PM  
Blogger Becky said...

Hey Zac,

I have so many questions; and I'm sure I'll have to get your book to get all the answers. Great job on this leg to St. Helena. No engine, no wind (at times) and hand steering! It sounds like St. Helena was equally excited about your arrival there.

Great photos Jen! You will have quite a long ocean journey of your own coming up. Wow! Twists and turns in your own adventure.

Thanks for keeping us informed Marianne. Almost one year. Goodness.

Namaste***

March 6, 2009 at 10:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good to hear that Zac made this leg with no problems, and is getting a little more well deserved R&R.

March 6, 2009 at 10:57 PM  
Blogger Daveh said...

I hope he can also get the AP working in case he hits light winds near the equator, although spring time is a better time than August!

Dave & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com

March 7, 2009 at 5:27 AM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Hello Zac, Jen, & Marianne,

@ Jen, now those two pictures are absolutely great action shots. Even though I see a still photo it feels like I was in Intrepid sailing with Zac. Loved the angle of the second picture, well done Jen.

@ Zac, good luck with the repairs and get those small problems taken care of. The last few days must have been really hard. No wind, no windvane, and no engine!!! Sounds like you had some challenges. Like always you pulled through like a real trouper.

@ Marianne, thanks for the pictures and update. I know you have not had much contact with Zac and you're still keeping us posted. I really appreciate all your effort in keeping us informed.

Enjoy SH Zac,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

March 7, 2009 at 7:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The colours of the photo on the bottom of the post are amazing. :)
~Jessica from Alberta, Canada

March 7, 2009 at 4:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac you're a HUNK!!! holy cow! the photo of you while steering should defs be Larger!!! hey, now there's a calendar idea!! hehe

love that shot!!! Jen you're doing a great job - more pleeease!!

March 7, 2009 at 5:27 PM  

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