Sunday 9 June 2013

STEVE from PATAMBA

We were recently saddened to hear of the sudden and unexpected death of Steve,of SV Patamba.We met Steve and Lorraine on the 2011 SAIL INDONESIA RALLY.they were a fun couple,and Steves 60th birthday party at Pangkor 2011 was a beauty.
Their little motorsailor Patamba was so pretty.I will post a lovely photo I have when have proper internet,ditto the birthday party.
Lat year Steve andLorraine bought a larger boat which they spent a yearr at AU chalong,Phuket, refitting.we caught up with them last november at Au Chalong Yacht Club for steves 61st birthday party.
this year they were off singapore in the beginning of the Sail Malaysia rally to Borneo.Lorraines facebook says one day everything was perfect,and the next day he was gone.We have sent Lorraine our condolences.

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Thursday 6 June 2013

BELITUNG-SUNDA STRAIT-INDIAN OCEAN

We are in the Indian Ocean!-sailing to Cocos Keeling ISLAND,580 NM to go.
Before leaving belitung I rang Commander Weather to get a weather routing report for the next 7 days.after the verbal,they sent a detailed report by sailmail.Most reassuring for our 1st big ocean crossing.also get the GRIB files via sailmail.
another early departure to get positive current down Baur strait,west side of belitung.the AIS was busy with lots of shipping.then motorsailed into SW headwind to Sunda STRAIT.we went through many oil fields,ans saw lots of squid boats at night.enjoying good meals,reading and nonalcoiholic sundowners.we do 4 hour night watches ,starting at 6 pm.
not heard Green Ghost,ahead,or Aqarius,behind,on 1100 utc HF sked yet,but keep in touch by sailmail.
Late on day 2 we arrived sunda strait.lots of passenger ferries,so AIS useful.positive current as planned.max current 4 knots.a bit rough with sw swell against current.
at daybreak we passed the remains of Krakatoa.Out of sunda strait the wind changed direction enough to turn engine off with relief,and set a course sw to CCK.
so nice to be

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MALAYSIA SINGAPORE INDONESIA 1-3june13

leaving Puteri marina very early we got positive current all the way east through the busy singapore strait,then urn right and go down Riau strait,indonesia,between batam and bintang islands.Met other yacht en route,Aquarius,gary & libby,also doing indian ocean crosing.On 3rd day arrived Belitung. this was final stop of 2011 sail indonesia rally,so it bnought back many happy memories.we dinghied ashore with jerry cans,got a van to town 27km for diesel.wet back at beach,so had lovely dinner at Rustys,a cafe on the beach,candle light,anchor beers and just us,ans just Haven at anchor.

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