Day 11 [Feb. 14, 1200 JST]

Data
Position: 07 23 N, 165 24 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 67 nm
Total distance: 924 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,865 nm
ETA: 32 days (averaging 90 nm/day)
Weather: Fair, partly cloudy, scattered rainshowers; 26.5 deg C
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 2.5 m
Wind (from): E 8-12 kt
Engine: OK, not using
Sails: Under staysail only

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1150.

Crew is "fine."
Winds 8 -11 kt mainly E and ENE
Wave 2.5 m
Rain and thunderstorms passed, now clear and partly cloudy
To replace wearing jib sheet; turnbuckle replaced on port shroud.
Proceeding on staysail.

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 14 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1010mb at 008 N, 166 W
Wind 8 - 11 kt frm ENE
Waves 2.5 m frm NNW

Forecast for 8 N, 163 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 13 26.5/25.5C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 40%
Feb 14 26.5/26.0C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 70%
Feb 15 26.5/25.5C 16.5 kt ENE rain shower, 40%
Feb 16 26.0/26.0C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 30%
Feb 17 26.0/25.0C 14.6 kt E rain shower, 20%
Feb 18 26.5/25.5C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 20%

Added Comments

On ClearPoint, Tokyo support could see a small group of lightning strikes about 70 miles from their position; a few hours later it had passed through. Saito told us there had been lightning in the vicinity and we could say "We know."

ClearPoint Weather is showing highly accurate information on the weather conditions at their exact position. We can know, almost real-time: wind speed, wave height, rain, forecasts, air and sea temperature, lightning strikes within the last several hours, weather warnings, tropical storms, satellite cloud view, visibility, etc.

For the actual circumnavigation Saito will have the ability to access ClearPoint through the Iridium sat phone onboard. For this voyage we are viewing using a laptop in several Tokyo locations over broadband.

More on ClearPoint to follow in subsequent log entries.

Day 12 [Feb. 15, 1200 JST]

Data
Position: 06 26 N, 165 50 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 67 nm
Total distance: 997 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,798 nm
ETA: 32.5 days (averaging 86 nm/day)
Weather: Raining and strong winds; 26.5 deg C
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 3.0 - 3.5 m
Wind (from): SE 16-25 kt
Engine: OK -- all engine air filters cleaned; fuel filter changed (as maintenance); DC charging OK
Sails: Under staysail only

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1150.

Crew is "OK."
Rain and thunderstorms in the area
Call placed to Hal (diesel mechanic in Hawaii) to discuss engine adjustment to improve max RPM.
Proceeding on staysail.

Remaining distance to Equator: 450 nm

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 15 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1010mb at 007 N, 166 W
Wind: 16 - 25 kt frm SE
Waves: 3.0 - 3.5 m

Forecast for 004 N, 165 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 14 26.5/26.5C 13.6 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 15 26.5/26.5C 13.6 kt ENE rain shower, 0%
Feb 16 26.5/26.0C 13.6 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 17 26.5/26.0C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 18 26.5/26.0C 18.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 19 26.5/26.0C 18.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 20 26.5/26.0C 19.4 kt E rain shower, 0%

Added Comments
As shown by ClearPoint Weather (below), a seasonal cyclone was developing northwest of Australia, well away from the track of BMW Nicole Shuten-dohji, 4,200 nm to the northeast. Green rectangle indicates the weather information area with the current plot at center (sailboat icon). As we move the plot, the weather information coverage area follows the boat.

Update:
We saw 6 hours later that the cyclone conditions had eased and the red symbol on the left shoulder of Australia no longer was shown.


 Day 13 [Feb. 16, 1200 JST]
Data
Position: 06 00 N, 166 03 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 2 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 32 nm
Total distance: 1022 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,748 nm
ETA: 33.5 days (averaging 82 nm/day)
Weather: Clear and brisk winds; 26.5 deg C
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 3.0 m
Wind (from): SE 10-14 kt
Engine: OK -- DC charging OK
Sails: Under staysail and No. 1 jib

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200.

Wind is from the SE so tends to be opposing headwinds.
Worn jib sheet was replaced this morning so now can use No. 1 jib again.

Remaining distance to Equator: 400 nm

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 16 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1011mb at 006 N, 166 W
Wind: 14.6 kt frm E
Waves: 2.5-3.0 m frm NW

Forecast for 006 N, 166 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 15 27.0/26.5C 13.6 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 16 27.0/26.5C 14.6 kt E rain shower, 20%
Feb 17 27.0/26.5C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 18 27.0/26.0C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 40%
Feb 19 27.0/26.5C 19.4 kt E rain shower, 60%
Feb 20 27.0/26.0C 19.4 kt E rain shower, 20%

Added Comments

Saito-san is reporting headwinds (SE) in last 24 hours, so his course has turned slightly westward and his average speed (distance made good) has slowed to 2 kt.

Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji has passed the first 1,000 miles. Approaching Equator. Winds in that vicinity are currently out of the E and NE, thus boat speed should begin to improve in the next few days.

Day 14 [Feb. 17, 1200 JST]
Data
Position: 05 15 N, 166 22 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 2.5-3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 51 nm
Total distance: 1,080 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,706 nm
ETA: 34 days (averaging 79 nm/day)
Weather: Clear and good, but still opposing, winds; 26.5 deg C
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 1-2 m
Wind (from): SSE 8-12 kt
Engine: OK -- DC charging OK. AC now charging.
Sails: Under No. 1 jib (main repaired but remains furled)

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200.

Vincent reported a headache yesterday but is fully recovered today thanks to advice from his grandmother received over Iridium from France. Fatigue apparently was cause; no fever. Both crew sounded happy the skies have cleared and the headsail (No. 1 jib) is back in use after several days under the smaller staysail only. Main is furled, though repaired; will be saved for lighter, better winds.

Were able to talk with Hal to discuss engine; no longer smoking.

Remaining distance to Equator: 361 nm

Weather Forecast
(Supplied by ClearPoint Weather)

Feb 17 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1011mb at 008 N, 166 W
Wind: 15.6 kt frm E
Waves: 2.0 m frm NNW

Forecast for 004 N, 166 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 16 26.0/26.0C 12.6 kt ENE rain shower, 0%
Feb 17 26.5/26.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 18 26.5/26.0C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 19 26.5/26.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 20 26.5/26.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 21 26.5/26.0C 19.4 kt E rain shower, 0%

Added Comments

Message to crew of Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji (received by email)

Saito-san / Vincent:
Scott, via Hunter, has been forwarding me updates on your progress. Good to hear you are working the "bugs" out of the electrical system.
How is the fishing going? any luck? Do the flying fish fly high enough to end up on your deck? What types of sea life, birds are you seeing? Seen any other sailboats or ships?
Are you having any luck catching rain water for drinking/washing??
Is the main sail in too poor of shape to use? Even when it is reefed? Or is there some other reason you are not using the main?
Was great to get to know you both. Maybe some day our paths will cross again
Bon voyage,
Erick Cramer / Honolulu

Erick and Scott Gilbert provided volunteer assistance to Saito-san during boat preparations in Hawaii. He's now been added to the updates email list.

They did have some luck with fish a few days ago, hauling in a very nice 4-foot Mahi-mahi.

The hard dodger/sun roof is a perfect rain-catcher with a hose system that allows ample water storage from the recent rains.


Day 15 [Feb. 18, 1200 JST]
Data
Position: 04 19 N, 166 58 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 3-4 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 68 nm
Total distance: 1,165 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,620 nm
ETA: 33 days (averaging 79 nm/day)
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy; winds fair, but still reporting somewhat opposing wind direction
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2-2.5 m
Wind (from): SE 9-16 kt
Engine: OK -- DC charging OK. AC charging is sometimes on, sometimes off.
Sails: Under No. 1 jib and staysail (main remains furled)

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200. Everything fine, but slow progress; main to stay furled until calmer seas

Remaining distance to Equator: 312 nm

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 18 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1010mb at 005 N, 166 W
Wind: 16.5 kt frm E
Waves: 2.0 m frm NNW


Forecast for 4 N, 168 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 17 26.5/26.0C 14.6 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 18 26.5/26.5C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 19 26.5/26.0C 18.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 20 26.5/26.5C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 21 26.5/26.5C 18.5 kt ESE rain shower, 40%
Feb 22 26.5/26.0C 18.4 kt ESE rain shower, 40%

ClearPoint images (1 pm today)

Added Comments

OkeraNet received an Iridium call from Saito saying that the SSB radio communications were not successful over the last two days, thus the two-day absence of the Japanese-language reports.
Saito affirmed this today and said the SSB radio receives OK but he cannot call out. He will call OkeraNet daily over the Iridium so the Japanese postings can resume.

Day 16 [Feb. 19, 1200 JST]
Data
Position: 03 01 N, 167 56 W
Heading: 180 degrees
Boat speed: 4-5 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 104 nm
Total distance: 1,237 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,593 nm
ETA: 32 days (averaging 79 nm/day)
Weather: Clear; winds strong; still reporting opposing wind direction (ESE)
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2-4 m
Wind (from): ESE 18-25 kt
Engine: OK -- DC charging OK.
Sails: Under No. 1 jib and staysail (main remains furled)

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Everything fine, but "westing" too much (being blown further west than optimum). Has corrected the helm to 180 degrees to get back onto the shortest course to Auckland. Is picking up speed (4-5 kt vs. yesterday's 3-4 kt), but at some sacrifice to the shortest possible course.

Remaining distance to Equator: 208 nm

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 19 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1010mb at 005 N, 166 W
Wind: 17.5 kt frm E
Waves: 2.0 m frm NNW

Forecast for 2 N, 166 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 18 25.5/25.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 19 25.5/25.5C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 20 25.5/25.0C 14.6 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 21 26.5/25.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 20%
Feb 22 25.5/25.5C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 23 25.5/25.5C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 0%

Added Comments

Cyclone Nicholas was forming off the northwest coast of Australia yesterday, but had disappeared by 10 am today. Saito is well to the NE, about 3,750 nm away.

Feb. 18, 6 pm
Cyclone intensities are rated from 1 to 5 (worst)

Feb. 19, 10 am
Nicholas had disappeared.

Day 17 [Feb. 20, 1200 JST]

Data
Position: 01 33 N, 168 44 W
Heading: 170 degrees
Boat speed: 4 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 105 nm
Total distance: 1,341 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,497 nm
ETA: 31 days (averaging 81 nm/day)
Weather: Clear; winds a bit less strong; still reporting opposing wind direction (ESE)
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2-3 m
Wind (from): ESE 11-16 kt
Engine: OK -- DC charging OK. Transferred fuel to main tank (fuel judged at about 70% remaining, plus 250 spare gals. in drums stored on deck).
Sails: Under No. 1 jib and staysail (main remains furled)

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Everything fine, but still westing too much. Has corrected the helm further to 170 degrees heading (more easterly) to get back onto the shortest course to Auckland and to avoid a small group of islands about 290 miles away on former 190 heading.

In about four days the wind direction should improve for them, coming mainly from ENE. Note that the forecast coverage area at that time will be south of (and somewhat different from) the 2 N, 166 W area shown below.

Remaining distance to Equator: 107 nm

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 20 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1011 mb at 004 N, 166 W
Wind: 17.5 kt frm E
Waves: 2.5 m frm NNW

Forecast for 2 N, 166 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 19 25.5/25.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 20 25.5/25.0C 14.6 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 21 26.5/25.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 20%
Feb 22 25.5/25.5C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 23 25.5/25.5C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 24 25.5/25.5C 16.5 kt ENE rain shower, 0%

Added Comments

Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji has crossed (630 nm to the west) the latitude on which the Micronesian island nation of Kiribati (kee-ree-bahs) is situated. The name Kiribati is the local variant of "Gilberts," derived from Kiribati's main island chain, the Gilbert Islands and its former colonial name, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiribati

***
By Tuesday afternoon, Cyclone Nicholas was back on Clearpoint but severely weakened, the reason for its sudden disappearance we reported yesterday unknown. The Feb. 17-19 track showed the cyclone as never achieving more than a Severity 1 (lowest) classification, falling to tropical storm level, then sharply reversing course and turning back south.

According to Wikipedia, the term "cyclone" refers to such storms' cyclonic nature, with counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere. Depending on their location and strength, tropical cyclones are referred to by various other names, such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, and tropical depression.

Meanwhile, heavy monsoon rains have battered wide areas on the Australia's northeastern coast and people are reported to be watching out for crocodiles in their flooded houses.

 

Day 18 [Feb. 21, 1200 JST]

Data
Position: 00 15 N, 169 19 W
Heading: 165 degrees
Boat speed: 3-4 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 83 nm
Total distance: 1,420 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,372 nm
ETA: 29.5 days (averaging 80.5 nm/day)
Weather: Clear skies; winds fair
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2 m

 

Wind (from): ESE 8-12 kt, reporting somewhat adverse wind direction
Engine: Both AC and DC are charging OK. Engine smoking "not so much;" fuel filters are staying clean. Not motoring in order to conserve fuel and reduce engine strain. Running the engine about 8 hours a day just for charging.Fuel judged at about 600 to 650 gallons remaining plus 250 spare gals in drums stored on deck. The four tanks hold approx. 1600 gals. and were topped off before leaving. Some fuel consumed for motoring earlier in the voyage so cannot currently judge the depletion rate (from Tokyo, anyway) caused by running the engine just for battery charging. (Solar panels will be added in Auckland.)

Note: The four separate fuel tanks have clear transparent windows to view the fuel supply, no gauges, so estimates are approximate. As necessary, fuel is pumped from one of the other tanks to replenish the "day" tank.) The Yanmar auxiliary generator ("gen set") has its own separate, smaller tank.Sails: Under No. 1 jib (main remains furled). Saito believes tomorrow they may be able to make repairs to the main, including replacing the worn halyard.

 

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Everything fine, a beautiful day today as they prepare to cross the Equator. Has corrected the helm further to 165 degrees heading (more easterly).

Wind direction ESE but should improve to ENE in a few days around 004S.

Remaining distance to Equator: 20.5 nm

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 21 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal: 1011 mb at 004 N, 166 W
Wind: 15.6 kt frm E
Waves: 2 m frm NNW, long rolling swells

Forecast for 2 N, 168 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 20 26.0/26.0C 12.6 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 21 26.0/26.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 22 26.5/26.0C 17.5 kt ESE rain shower, 0%
Feb 23 26.0/26.0C 18.5 kt E rain shower, 20%
Feb 24 26.5/26.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 40%
Feb 25 26.5/26.0C 15.6 kt ENE rain shower, 20%
Feb 26 26.5/26.0C 5.6 kt E rain shower, 70%

Added Comments

Crossing Equator today under "beautiful" skies. Both crew sounded happy. Vincent was glad to hear the emailed well-wishes from his mother Christine and friend/relative (?) Matthieu.

That busted U.S. spy satellite was shot down about 1,400 miles NNW of Saito and crew (west of Hawaii), about the time of our last Iridium contact with them. Doubtful they could see the CNN-reported explosion from that long distance but will ask tomorrow. It would have been about sunset.

Correction!
Google Map has Kiribati located 1,750 miles east of its actual location. Thanks to Tony Whitman for spotting this error. (Now, how do we go about informing Google!?)

Here's the right location for Kiribati, according to the American CIA...

Day 19 [Feb. 22, 1200 JST]

Data
Position: 01 66 S, 169 59 W
Heading: 165 degrees
Boat speed: 4 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 115 nm
Total distance: 1,547 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,265 nm
ETA: 28 days averaging 83 nm/day (3/20/08)
Weather: Clear skies; winds fair
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2-2.5 m
Wind (from): ESE 12-18 kt, reporting somewhat adverse wind direction
Engine: Both AC and DC are charging OK. Is switching to Yanmar gen set for battery charging. Will use engine less for charging to keep possible cylinder surface glazing from occurring.

Reassessed fuel situation, now judged at about 1200 gallons remaining plus 50 spare gals in 1 drum stored on deck (transferred fuel from other 7 drums yesterday).

Sails: Under No. 1 jib (main remains furled).

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Everything fine; has now crossed the Equator.

For a map showing distance remaining to Auckland, see the map page. Click here.

Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 22 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal:  1011 mb at 004 N, 166 W
Wind: 17.5 kt frm E
Waves: 2 m frm NNW, long rolling swells, 13 sec intervals

Forecast for 2 S, 169 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 21 26.0/26.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 22 26.5/26.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 23 26.5/26.0C 18.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 24 26.0/26.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 10%
Feb 25 26.0/26.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 20%
Feb 26 26.0/26.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 50%

Added Comments

Eiko asked for map showing distance remaining to Auckland. Thanks for other suggestions from Francis, Tony, and Nor.

Day 20 [Feb. 23, 1210 JST/Tokyo]

Data
Position: 02 39 S, 168 30 W
Heading: 160 degrees
Boat speed: 4 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 106 nm
Total distance: 1,572 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,220 nm
ETA: 28 days averaging 80 nm/day (3/20/08)
Weather: Clear skies; winds fair and brisk, improved direction
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2-3 m, 15 sec. intervals
Wind (from): ESE,sometimes ENE, 14-20 kt
Engine: Both AC and DC are charging OK. Has switched to Yanmar gen set 3 or 4 times a day for 1-1/2 hour charging sessions.
Sails: Under No. 1 jib (main remains furled).

Daily Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Motoring briefly at about half power to gain some miles to the east; expects to pass Fiji on its east side (in approx. 1,000 nm, marked by yellow pushpin at about latitude S17 on map.) Considering a brief stopover in Fiji.

For map showing distance to Auckland with course change, click here.



Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)

Feb 23 UTC 0000 hrs
Frontal:  1011 mb at 004 N, 166 W
Wind: 17.5 kt frm E
Waves: 2 m frm SSW, long rolling swells, 15-sec intervals

Forecast for 4 S, 170 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 22 27.0/27.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 23 27.5/276.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 0%
Feb 24 27.5/27.0C 17.5 kt E rain shower, 30%
Feb 25 27.0/27.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 20%
Feb 26 27.0/27.0C 15.6 kt E rain shower, 30%
Feb 27 27.0/27.0C 16.5 kt E rain shower, 10%

Added Comments

Saito accepted congratulations for passing the Equator. He said this was Equator "No. 34 or 35 for me, but No. 1 for Vincent!" (The celebratory practice by crews in the early sailing ships was a good dowsing in the bosun's chair for all Equator first-timers.)

Thanks to Bob Brumfield for his suggestion on the "Distance to Auckland" map. Will be included daily from now on.