Day 21 [Feb. 24, 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 04 18 S, 170 46 W
Heading: 170 degrees
Boat speed: 4.5 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 108 nm
Total distance: 1,703 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,113 nm
ETA: 26 days averaging 82.5 nm/day (3/18/08)
Weather: Clear skies; winds fair and strong
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2-3 m
Wind (from): ESE, 15-18 kt
Engine: DC charging OK; DC/AC converter is intermittent only. Still using Yanmar gen set with occasional motoring to maintain track.

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

Comments

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Ave. boat speed improved half a knot (to 4.5 kt), thanks to improved wind direction and occasional motoring.

Still considering a brief stopover in Fiji. Saito has visited Fiji before and knows the area, though he presently has two choices: Western Samoa 590 nm and Fiji 1,060 nm from today's position. (Yellow track below is the shortest-distance route to Auckland.) Click here to see map for Fiji and Samoa locations relative to Saito san's track.

In the last 5 days they have averaged 95.5 nm/day. At that rate, they can reach Western Samoa in 6 days or Fiji in 11 days.

Correction
The longitude was misheard yesterday, and actually was 170 30 W for 75 nm 24-hr distance. Today's route and distances reflect the correction.

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

Feb 24 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 15.6 kt frm E
Waves: 2 m frm SSW

Forecast for 4 S, 168 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 23 27.0C/27.0C 15.6 kt frm E rain shower, 0%
Feb 24 27.0C/27.0C 15.6 kt frm E rain shower, 0%
Feb 25 27.0C/26.5C 13.6 kt frm E rain shower, 10%
Feb 26 26.0C/26.5C 12.6 kt frm E rain shower, 70%
Feb 27 27.0C/26.5C 17.5 kt frm E rain shower, 50%
Feb 28 27.0C/27.0C 17.5 kt frm E rain shower, 30%

Day 22 [Feb. 25, 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 05 49 S, 171 04 W
Heading: 165 degrees
Boat speed: 3-4 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 98 nm
Total distance: 1,811 nm
Distance to Auckland: 2,021 nm
ETA: 24 days averaging 84.0 nm/day (3/16/08)
Weather: Variable; winds fair and brisk; some area thunderstorms
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 2 m
Wind (from): ESE, 12-16 kt
Engine: OK
Sails: Under No. 1 jib (main remains furled).

Comments

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Is now considering alternate stopover in Pago Pago, U.S. Samoa, on the recommendation of Japan shore crew since the approach is largely clear of small islands and atolls that would be a navigation problem at Fiji. Pago Pago is about 540 nm away from today's position.

According to Wikipedia:  

Pago Pago (4 16 S, 170 42 W) is the capital town of American Samoa. It is actually a village that is often mistaken to be a city (as in a capital or port city) of this south Pacific territory of the United States of America. Its 1990 population was 10,640. The village is located on Pago Pago Harbor, in the island of Tutuila. Tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning are the primary industries here. From 1878 to 1951, this was a coaling and repair station for the U.S. Navy. See map.

In the last 5 days they have averaged 95.5 nm/day. At that rate, they can reach Western Samoa in 6 days or Fiji in 11 days. See map of route to Pago Pago and then to Auckland.

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

Feb 25 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 11.7 kt frm E
Waves: 2 m NNW

Forecast for 6 S, 172 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 24 28.0C/27.5C 11.7 kt frm E rain shower, 40%
Feb 25 28.0C/27.0C 11.7 kt frm E rain shower, 30%
Feb 26 28.0C/27.5C 11.7 kt frm E rain shower, 20%
Feb 27 28.0C/27.5C 15.6 kt frm ENE rain shower, 20%
Feb 28 28.0C/27.5C 14.6 kt frm ENE rain shower, 10%
Feb 29 28.0C/27.5C 15.6 kt frm ENE rain shower, 0%

Day 23 [Feb. 26, 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 06 49 S, 171 09 W
Heading: 150 degrees
Boat speed: 3-4 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 62 nm
Total distance: 1,858 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,974 nm
ETA: 24 days averaging 82.0 nm/day (3/19/08)
Weather: Clear; winds fair and moderate
Barometer: 1015 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m; 11 sec intervals out of NW
Wind (from): ESE, 8-12 kt
Engine: OK; motoring at under 3,000 RPM to maintain track to Pago Pago at 150 deg heading (course over ground 170-175 deg)
Sails: All furled

After Pago Pago, 1,500 nm to Auckland. See map.

Comments

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Definitely making for Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W), though going is slow due to contrary winds mainly out of the ESE. May improve to ENE in next two days. About 450 nm to destination.

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

Feb 26 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 9.7 kt frm ENE
Waves: 1.5 m NW. 11 sec intervals
Barometer: 1015

Forecast for 6 S, 170 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 25 28.0C/27.5C 9.7 kt frm ENE rain shower, 0%
Feb 26 28.0C/27.0C 9.7 kt frm E rain shower, 0%
Feb 27 28.0C/27.0C 13.6 kt frm ENE rain shower, 10%
Feb 28 28.0C/27.0C 14.6 kt frm ENE rain shower, 10%
Feb 29 27.5C/27.0C 12.6 kt frm E rain shower, 0%
Mar 1 27.5C/26.5C 13.6 kt frm ENE rain, thunderstorm 70%

Day 24 [Feb. 27, 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 08 00 S, 170 53 W
Heading: 140 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 74 nm
Total distance: 1,927 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,893 nm
ETA: 23 days averaging 81.5 nm/day (3/20/08 + stopover days in Pago Pago)
Weather: Clear; winds fair and moderate
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m; 11 sec intervals out of NW
Wind (from): ENE, 6-10 kt
Engine: OK; motoring at under 3,000 RPM to maintain track to Pago Pago at 140 deg heading (course over ground 170-175 deg)
Sails: Staysail only
After Pago Pago, 1,500 nm to Auckland. See map.

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

On heading for Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W) in 370 nm (roughly 5 days). Wind direction did improve to ENE as predicted yesterday. Turnbuckle broke on port side main shroud and has been replaced by shackle and rope. Wind direction is favorable for use of staysail only.

Added Comment
Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji III has crossed the half-way point on her "maiden" voyage from Honolulu to Auckland!

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

Feb 27 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 11.7 kt frm ENE
Waves: 1.5 m NW, 11 sec intervals
Barometer: 1011

Forecast for 8.5 S, 170 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 26 28.0C/27.5C 10.7 kt frm NE rain shower, 20%
Feb 27 28.0C/27.5C 11.7 kt frm ENE rain shower, 20%
Feb 28 28.0C/27.0C 12.6 kt frm E rain shower, 10%
Feb 29 27.5C/27.0C 10.7 kt frm E rain shower, 20%
Mar 1 27.5C/26.5C 8.7 kt frm NNE rain, thunderstorm 20%
Mar 2 27.0C/26.0C 10.7 kt frm NE rain, thunderstorm 40%

 

Day 25 [Feb. 28, 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 08 57 S, 170 29 W
Heading: 145 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 64 nm
Total distance: 1,966 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,849 nm
ETA: 23 days averaging 80.0 nm/day (3/21/08 + 2 planned stopover days in Pago Pago)
Weather: Clear; winds moderate
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m
Wind (from): E, 5-8 kt
Engine: OK; motoring at under 3,000 RPM to maintain track to Pago Pago at 145 deg heading (course over ground 175 deg)
Sails: Staysail only

After Pago Pago, 1,500 nm to Auckland. See map.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200 (J. Hayashi)

On heading for Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W) in 325 nm (roughly 5 days). Plans a 2-day layover for food, rest, and repair.

Added Comment
Mooring in Pago Pago Harbor is available and free to transit vessels for up to 7 days. After, it's $17.50 per month as posted here.

Planning for shipboard interviews by Iridium sat phone from journalists at Japan International Boat Show March 6 - 9. 

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

Feb 28 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 8.7 kt frm ENE
Waves: 1.5 m NW, 11 sec intervals
Barometer: 1010

Forecast for 10 S, 170 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 27 28.0C/27.5C 8.7 kt frm E rain shower, 50%
Feb 28 28.0C/27.5C 8.7 kt frm ENE rain shower, 20%
Feb 29 28.0C/27.5C 9.7 kt frm ENE rain shower, 0%
Mar 1 28.0C/27.5C 10.7 kt frm NE rain, thunderstorm 40%
Mar 2 28.0C/27.0C 10.7 kt frm NE rain, thunderstorm 10%
Mar 3 28.0C/26.5C 10.7 kt frm ENE rain, thunderstorm 80%

Day 26 [Feb. 29, 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 10 11 S, 169 56 W
Heading: 170 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 80 nm
Total distance: 2,032 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,781 nm
ETA: 23.5 days averaging 75.6 nm/day (ave. of last 5 days)
(3/23/08 + 2 planned stopover days in Pago Pago)
Weather: Clear; winds weak; getting warmer
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1 m, frm NW 13s intervals
Wind (from): 3-6 kt, NNW
Engine: OK; motor/sailing at under 3,000 RPM to maintain track to Pago Pago at 170 deg heading
Sails: Staysail only

After Pago Pago, 1,500 nm to Auckland. See map

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

On heading for Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W) in 257 nm (ETA March 3/4). Still plans 2-day stop-over.

Had a nice shower last night in the warm rain, could wash hair and clothes in a heavy downpour.

Added Comment
Engine room is getting hot -- 32 deg C --  outside temperature climbing after the Equator and vessel approaches the southern summer

We gave him the datum (supplied through Tony) for the Breaker Point lighthouse and day marker (column) at the entrance of Pago Pago Harbor.

-- Breaker Point, E. side of entrance. 14° 17.6´ S 170° 39.8´ W Fl. W.R. period 6s
190 58 W. 8 R. 6
-- Column, black and white diamond daymark; 27.

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


Feb 29 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 8.7 kt frm NNE
Waves: 1.5 m NW, 11 sec intervals
Barometer: 1010

Forecast for 10 S, 170 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 28 28.0C/27.5C 9.7 kt frm NN rain, thunderstorm 40%
Feb 29 28.0C/27.0C 8.7 kt frm NNE rain shower, 20%
Mar 1 28.0C/27.0C 8.7 kt frm N rain, thunderstorm 0%
Mar 2 28.0C/27.0C 13.6 kt frm N rain, thunderstorm 30%
Mar 3 28.0C/26.0C 10.7 kt frm E rain, thunderstorm 80%
Mar 4 28.0C/26.5C 13.6 kt frm E rain shower 90%

 

Day 27 [Mar. 1 , 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 11 09 S, 169 48 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 62 nm
Total distance: 2,103 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,721 nm
ETA: 26.0 days averaging 66.5 nm/day (ave. of last 5 days)
         (3/27/08 + 2 planned stopover days in Pago Pago)
Weather: Clear; winds weak; getting warmer
Barometer: 1000 hPa (dropping)
Waves: 1 m, frm NW 12s interval
Wind (from): 3-6 kt, NNW
Engine: OK; motor/sailing at under 3,000 RPM to maintain track to Pago Pago at 195 deg heading
Sails: Staysail only

Pago Pago ETA: 3/3 or 3/4
After Pago Pago, 1,500 nm to Auckland. See map.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Continuing on heading for Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W) in 197 nm (ETA March 3/4). 2-day stop-over planned.

Wind is quite bad for reaching with staysail only; continuing to use engine for motoring at moderate RPMs. Changed fuel filter today and cleaned engine air filter. They can see water in the fuel gauge tube on the Yanmar generator and cleaning that out has been added to the "to do" list at Pago Pago.

Added Comment
Pago Pago Control and the harbormaster may be contacted on VHF-FM channel 16.

A detailed and entertaining journal entry on American Samoa by Captains Gwen Hamlin and Don Wilson on the sailing yacht Tackless II can be accessed here:

Incidentally, Gwen, the log writer, says you pronounce it "Pahngo Pahngo" in the Samoan dialect.

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


Mar 1 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 9.7 kt frm N
Waves: 1.5 m NW, 12 sec intervals
Barometer: 1000

Forecast for 10 S, 170 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Feb 29 27.5C/27.0C 5.8 kt frm NE rain shower 0%
Mar 1 28.0C/27.0C 9.7 kt frm N rain shower 0%
Mar 2 28.0C/26.5C 11.7 kt frm N rain, thunderstorm 30%
Mar 3 27.5C/26.5C 11.7 kt frm E rain, thunderstorm 90%
Mar 4 28.0C/26.5C 14.6 kt frm E rain shower 30%
Mar 5 28.0C/27.0C 12.6 kt frm E rain, thunderstorm 40%

 

Day 28 [Mar. 2 , 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 12 14 S, 170 01 W
Heading: 200 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 69 nm
Total distance: 2,160 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,1680 nm
ETA: 25.0 days averaging 67.2 nm/day (ave. of last 5 days)
         (3/27/08 + 2 planned stopover days in Pago Pago)
Weather: Overcast, occasionally clear; winds weak
Barometer: 1000 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m, frm NW
Wind (from): 3-6 kt, NNW
Engine: OK; motor/sailing at under 3,000 RPM to maintain track to Pago Pago at 200 deg heading
Sails: Staysail only

Pago Pago ETA: 3/3 late afternoon
After Pago Pago, 1,524 nm to Auckland. See map.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Continuing on heading for Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W) in 133 nm (ETA March 3, late afternoon). 2-day stop-over planned.

Commented that Yanmar genset (aux. generator)v seems to be causing air filter on main engine to get dirty since they are both in the engine room, apparently made worse by the water-contaminated fuel in the genset tank. So is using the genset sparingly.

Added Comment
Weather reports for American Samoa are available here:

<http://www.prh.noaa.gov/samoa/>
<http://www.nws.noaa.gov/alerts/as.html>
<http://www.weather.gov/data/obhistory/NSTU.html>

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


Mar 2 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 8.7 kt frm N
Waves: 1.5 m NW
Barometer: 1000

Forecast for 11 S, 170 W area

Date Temp H/L Wind/From Skies
Mar 1 28.0C/27.0C 9.7 kt frm N rain shower 0%
Mar 2 28.0C/26.5C 8.7 kt frm E rain, thunderstorm 40%
Mar 3 27.5C/26.5C 11.7 kt frm E rain, thunderstorm 70%
Mar 4 28.0C/26.5C 13.6 kt frm NNE rain shower 30%
Mar 5 28.0C/27.0C 10.6 kt frm E rain, thunderstorm 40%
Mar 6 28.0C/27.5C 9.6 kt frm E rain shower 50%

 

Day 29 [Mar. 3 , 1200 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 13 23 S, 170 21 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 73 nm
Total distance: 2,207 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,630 nm
ETA: 22.0 days averaging 75.2 nm/day (ave. of last 5 days)
(3/25/08 + 2 planned stopover days in Pago Pago)
Weather: Overcast, scattered rain, thunder; winds brisk
Barometer: 1000 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m frm NW
Wind (from): 15-20 kt, NNW
Engine: OK; motor/sailing at under 3,000 RPM to maintain track to Pago Pago at 195 deg heading
Sails: Staysail (and headsail when winds allow)

Pago Pago ETA: 3/3 about 15:00 -- 16:00 American Samoa time (3/4. 12 noon Tokyo)
After Pago Pago, 1,524 nm to Auckland. See map.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 1200

Continuing on heading for Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W) in 61 nm (ETA March 4, mid afternoon). 2-day stop-over planned.

Added Comment
Will make land-fall about 2-3 hours before sunset, 6:30 pm.

Pago Pago Harbor, from Google Earth. Photo 1. Photo 2.

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


Mar 4 UTC 0000 hrs
Wind: 8.7 kt frm N
Waves: 1.5 m NW
Barometer: 1000

Forecast for 13 S, 170 W area

Not available (our Microsoft Vista expired!) But weather is good, winds moderate to strong, with scattered thunder showers.

 

Day 30 [Mar. 4 , 0930 Tokyo/JST]

Data
Position: 14 16 S, 170 42 W
Heading: 195 degrees
Boat speed: 3 kt
Distance in last 20 hours: 62 nm
Total distance: 2,280 nm
Distance to Auckland: 1,524 nm
ETA: 22.0 days averaging 70.4 nm/day (ave. of last 5 days)
(3/26/08 + 2 planned stopover days in Pago Pago)
Weather: Overcast, scattered rain
Barometer: 1000 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m frm NW
Wind (from): 7-14 kt, NNW
Engine: OK
Sails: Staysail

Arrived Pago Pago, American Samoa at 0930, 3/4 (Tokyo time)
After Pago Pago, 1,524 nm to Auckland. See map.

Today's Report
Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium at 0930

Arrived Pago Pago, American Samoa (14 16 S, 170 42 W); very happy to have entered port in mid afternoon, well before sundown. More details on their arrival tomorrow.

Added Comment
Saito-san and Vincent expect to spend the next 2 days making various sail and rigging repairs and restocking food stores, as well as enjoying some well-deserved R&R after one month non-stop from Hawaii.

Captain Joshua Slocum, considered the father of single-handed sailing, arrived in Apia, Western Samoa, and later wrote of his visit in Sailing Alone Around the World, published in 1900:

To be alone forty-three days would seem a long time, but in reality, even here, winged moments flew lightly by, and instead of my hauling in for Nukahiva, which I could have made as well as not, I kept on for Samoa, where I wished to make my next landing. This occupied twenty-nine days more, making seventy-two days in all. I was not distressed in any way during that time. There was no end of companionship; the very coral reefs kept me company, or gave me no time to feel lonely, which is the same thing, and there were many of them now in my course to Samoa.


When Samoan natives found that he had arrived alone, they remarked, apparently only partly in jest: "I don't believe that. You had other mans, and you eat 'em."

 

Weather Forecast

AMERICAN SAMOA ZONE FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PAGO PAGO AS
1000 PM SST MON MAR 03 2008
ASZ001>003-041800-
TUTUILA-AUNUU-MANUA-SWAINS ISLANDS-
1000 PM SST MON MAR 03 2008

REMAINDER OF THE NIGHT
CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED
THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE UPPER 70S. NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
20 MPH WITH LOCALLY HIGHER GUSTS.

TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS. HIGHS
IN THE UPPER 80S. LOWS NEAR 80. NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.

THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS. HIGHS
NEAR 90. LOWS IN THE UPPER 70S. EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH