MAY 2005
May 1 -
Day 198
JST 2300 position: 19.03S 156.18E
(Local time 0100 May 2)
Heading: 0 to 10 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 6 to 7 Kts
Wind direction: E
Windforce: 5 to 6
Barometric pressure: 1003 hpa
Weather: C, r with occasional rain
Temperature: 25°C
Wave height: 2 to 2.5 m
Sailing with 2-point reefed Main, and 50% of No.1 Jib. I washed my hair in today's squall. Although I am still in the cold, I have felt very well. A good wind is blowing to go to the north. The maximum boat speed is 8 kt.
May 2 - Day 199
JST 2300 position: 17.13S 156.08E
(Local time 0100 May 3)
Heading: 320 to 330 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 4.5 Kts
Wind direction: S
Windforce: 4
Barometric pressure: 1004 hpa
Weather: bc, r Fine with occasional rain
Temperature: 26°C
Wave height: 1.5 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main,
and 80% No. 1 Jib.
At 0900 on May 2 (18.13S, 156.17E)
Heading: 343 degrees
3,328 miles left to finish.
May 3 - Day 200
JST 2200 May 3 position: 15.41S 156.10E
(Local time 2400 May 3)
Heading: 10 to 350 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 3 Kts
Wind direction: SE
Windforce: 3
Barometric pressure: 1003 hpa
Weather: bc Fine
Temperature: 27°
Wave height: 1.5 to 2 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main,
and 90% No. 1 Jib.
The temperature is more than 30°C. Starting to feel hot.
The monitor of the windvane was broken. But I have 3 spares.
May 4 - Day 201
JST 2200 May 4 position: 14.06S 156.02E
(Local time 2400 May 4)
Heading: 340 to 350 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 5 to 6 Kts
Wind direction: SE
Windforce: 4 to 5
Barometric pressure: 1000 hpa
Weather: b Fine
Temperature: 28°C
Wave height: 2 m
Sailing under 1-point reefed Main
and 90% No. 1 Jib.
20 cans of food are left. One can is used every 2 days. Much cup noodles and
rice are still left.
Today, the Great Dipper was seen on the horizon downward at 1700 JST
(Local time 1900) This is the constellation of the eastern hemisphere after a long time.
May 5 - Day 202
JST 2200 May 5 position: 11.40S 155.32E
(Local time 2400 May 5)
Heading: 340 to 350 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 6 Kts
Wind direction: SE
Windforce: 5
Barometric pressure: 998 hpas
Weather: b Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 2 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main
and 90% No. 1 Jib.
Hot. Started to grow vegetables on the boat. To start with, now challenging
to grow "Kaiware-daikon" (a kind of radish).
May 6 - Day 203
JST 2200 Position: 08.53S 154.51E
(Local time 2400 May 6)
Heading 340 to 350 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 7 Kts
Wind direction: E
Wind force: 5 to 6
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Weather: Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 2 to 2.5 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main and 80% of No.1 Jib.
I will sail to the north from now on anticipating the weather changes in the northern hemisphere. The weather is different in the southern hemisphere and the northern hemisphere. This is probably due to the effect of the movement of the earth.
May 7 - Day 204
JST 2300 Position: 06.56S 154.11E
(Local time 01:00 May 8)
Heading: 280 to 290 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 6 Kts
Wind direction: E
Wind force: 6
Barometric pressure: 998 hpa
Weather: Rain, Squalls (w/tropical thunder storms)
Temperature: 29°C
Wave height: 3 to 3.5 m
Sailing with 2 point reefed Main and 30% of No.1 Jib.
The wind, which is blowing onto Bougenville
Is., has turned to squalls
and tropical thunder storms. The tide had been streaming from south to
north. But, near Bougainille Is. it has begun to run north to south
(anti-clockwise). Therefore, it is difficult to go to the north.
Since the steering is now relying
upon the windvane, it needs
adjustment whenever the wind direction changes. Specific care is
necessary on night watch since I have to sail between the islands. This
will make it hard for me to sleep well for the time being.
May 8 - Day 205
JST 1230 Position: 06.29S 153.54E
Heading: 000 degrees (due north) Windvane
Boat speed: 3 to 4 Kts
Wind direction: SE
Wind force: 3
Barometric pressure: 994 hpa
Weather: Rain
Temperature: 32°C
Wave height: 1 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main and 90% of No.1 Jib.
I got completely soaking wet due to squalls and tropical thunderstorm. There was almost no wind this morning, but it is blowing a little right now.
Three out of six batteries are dead.
I have given up on repair of the
engine, so lost use of the main generator.
The sailing plan on the approach
to Japan is to head north pointing to
Shiono-misaki, thence to Enshu-nada and the west side of Oshima Island,
thence to Misaki Port.
JST 2300 Position: 05.34S
154.08E
(Local time 0100 May 9)
Heading: 9 to 20 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 6 to 7 Kts
Wind direction: SSE
Wind force: 4
Barometric pressure: 998 hpa
Weather: Fine, Rain (Squalls)
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1.5 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main and 70% of No.1 Jib.
The vegetable seeds I planted are growing well. "Kaiware-daikon"(radish sprouts) will become edible within two days or so. The sprouts are already about 5 to 6 cm long.
May 9 - Day 206
JST
2300 Position: 04.17S 154.20E
(Local time 0100 May 10)
Windvane
Heading: 340 to 0 degrees
Boat speed: 2.5 Kt
Wind direction: SE, ESE
Wind force: 2 to 3
Barometric pressure: 993 hpa
Weather: bc Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1 m
Sailing with
1-point reefed Main, and 60% of No.1 Jib.
Some of the vegetables grown on the boat were gathered today. I had vegetable
salad made from radish sprouts twice.
Other materials are mustard, broccoli and a few others. I have fully enjoyed
vegetable salad after many days.
May 10 - Day 207
JST
2300 Position: 02.55S 153.25E
(Local time 0100 May 11)
Heading: 300 to 320 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 5 to 6 Kt
Wind direction: NE
Wind force: 4
Barometric pressure: 998 hpa
Weather: bc, Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1 to 1.5 m
Sailing with
1-point reefed Main, Staysail and 30% of No.1 Jib.
Still growing vegetables on the boat. Today's harvest is broccoli, but mustard
is too early to eat.
It varied today from Beaufort one to nine. Mains'l was reefed up to 3 point.
Squalls attacked more than 10 times. I was so exhausted.
The wind direction changes in many directions from ntorth, south, east, and
west.
May 11 - Day 208
JST 2300 Position:
02.10S 152.28E
(Local time 0100 May 12)
Heading: 330 to 340 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 4 Kt
Wind direction: NE
Wind force: 2 to 3
Barometric pressure: 994 hpa
Weather: b Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1 to 1.5 m.
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main, and 70% of No.1 Jib.
I found leakage from the drain hose of the generator. There was a crack on
the hose and seawater was leaking from it.
While I was working on deck, the lifeline and a stanchion were off and I almost
fell from the boat into the sea.
I did not notice the problem of lifeline at all since it was at night.
I have now checked all parts of the lifelines.
2,345 miles left to Misaki.
I have been encountering about 4 big ships each day since I am sailing on
the same course of big ships. I am using spare navigation lights of battery
type at night. I think I will go to Japan always bearing safe voyage in my
mind.
http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/sat-bin/display10.cgi?thumb&PHOT=yes&AREA=pacific/widnds/southern_hemisphere/east&PROD=ir&NAV=cloud_w
May 12 - Day 209
JST 2300 Position:
01.36S 151.24E
(Local time 0100 May 13)
Heading: 270 to 280 degrees
GPS: 310 to 320 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 1.5 Kt
Wind direction: NE
Wind force: 0, no wind
Barometric pressure: 994 hpa
Weather: b, Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 0 m, looks like a mirror.
Sailing with
1-point reefed Main, 50% of No.1 Jib.
I found leakage from the drain hose of the generator and repaired it.
The farm on SHUTEN-DOJI I is going well. They are radish sprout broccoli and
mustard. Radish sprouts are easy to grow and taste good.
There is no wind now and the sea is like a mirror. Stars are reflecting on
the sea. It is really beautiful.
May 13 - Day 210
JST 2300 Position:
01.27S 150.51E
(Local time 0100 May 14)
Heading: 300 to 310 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 3 Kt
Wind direction: NNE
Wind force: 2
Barometric pressure: 994 hpa
Weather: b Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 0 m, like a mirror.
Sailing with 1-point
reefed Main, and 70% of No.1 Jib.
The boat is drifting to the west due to weak wind.
I wish to go to the north because there is an iland if I go directly go 50
miles ahead the present course.
I feel my toothache again. So I have taken anodyne.
May 14 - Day 211
JST 2300 Position:
01.05S 150.35E
(Local time 0100 May 15.)
Heading: 0 to 20 degrees
GPS: 310 to 320 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 1 to 1.5 Kt
Wind direction: SSE
Wind force: 0 to 1
Barometric pressure: 994 hpa
Weather: b, Fine
Temperature: 31°C
Wave height: 0 m, looks like a mirror.
Sailing with 1-point
reefed Main, and 60% of No.1 Jib.
The propane gas bombs (cylinders) have all been used up. I still have 20 portable
propane gas cylinders. But I do not need them for the time being because it
is hot. I can easily make hot water if I place PET bottles on deck half a
day in the daytime.
I saw a tuna fishing boat which I saw near Guam going nearby. I think I can
make a considerably concrete plan to return to Japan when I arrive at 6N.
2,251 miles left.
May 15 - Day 212
JST 2300 Position:
00.49S 150.20E
(Local time 0100 May 16)
Heading: 330 to 340 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 0.5 Kt
Wind direction: NNW
Wind force: 0
Barometric pressure: 995 hpa
Weather: bc, Fine
Temperature: 31°C
Wave height: 0 m
Sailing with 1-point
reefed Main and Staysail.
There is no wind and it is hot. I will go to the north, to Truck Islands,
looking for wind.
Today's radio communication was the worst in a while.
May 16 - Day 213
JST 2300 Position:
00.06S 150.06E
(Local time 0100 May 17)
Heading: 10 to 20 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 3 to 4 Kts
Wind direction: W
Wind force: 2 to 3
Barometric pressure: 996 hpa
Weather: b Fine
Temperature: 31°C
Wave height: 0 m
May 17 - Day 214
JST 0026 Position:
00.00N 150.06E
(Local time 1526 May 17)
Heading: 0 to 350 degrees Windvane
Boat speed: 4.5 Kts
Wind direction: W
Wind force: 2 to 3
Barometric pressure: 996 hpa
Weather: b, Fine
Temperature: 31°C
Wave height: 0 m
Sailing with 1-point
reefed Main, and 90% of No.1 Jib.
I passed Equator at 0026JST on the 17th.
I tried to take a photograph of the GPS display showing zero latitude, but
soon the display changed to northern latitude.
It is very difficult to take the photo of "00 degrees, 00 minutes 00."
Will try to find good wind and good current.
JST 2330 Position:
00.58N 150.12E
(Local time 0130 May 18)
Heading: 20 to 30 degrees (Compass course)Windvane
Boat speed: 2 Kt
Wind direction: SSE
Wind force: 1 to 2
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Weather: b, Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 0 m
Sailing with 1-point
reefed Main, and 60% of No.1 Jib.
2,127 miles left.
Now to the west of Truck Islands. Will be back via Guam. Estimated arrival
date at Misaki is June 2.
Today a pair of guests visited and rested on Shuten-Doji II. They are a couple of birds, black-headed with long tails. They are resting on the boat quite calmly right now.
****
From Yamamoto (translator):
You can see the position of Shuten-Doji II and S.Mermaid on the map at this
location:
http://www010.upp.so-net.ne.jp/g-products/alone.html
Satellite weather
photos are available here:
http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/satbin/display10.cgi?thumb&PHOT=yes&AREA=pacific/winds/western&PROD=vapor&NAV=cloud_winds&CGI=cloud
****
From Saito's Supporters in Japan:
We would like to have shared the strong wind in Tokyo that blew on the
16th, if we could.
We wish Saito-san good health and to maintain his strong spirit!
May 18 - Day 215
JST 2300 Position: 02.06N 150.27E
(Local time 0100 May 19)
Heading: 0 to 10 degrees(Compass course)
Windvane
Boat speed: 3.5 Kts
Wind direction: E
Wind force: 2
Barometric pressure: 998 hpa
Weather: b, Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main
and 90% of No.1 Jib.
2,066 miles left to Misaki, Japan (destination port).
The two birds that were staying
on the boat flew off in the early morning. A new bird visited and stopped
on the box of the gas cylinders to take a rest in the daytime but it is
not here now.
I have started trolling but nothing, so far. A small fish is swimming around
the boat. But I cannot get it because I have not carried a fishing net with
me this time. It is regrettable!
May 19 - Day 216
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main
and Staysail.
3 batteries out of 6 are alive.
Radio communication has been stopped to save power.
It is very regrettable that I cannot communicate by ham radio though
the sensitivity of radio is very good here.
2,023 miles left.
May 20 - Day 217
JST 2330 Position: 03.47N 150.47E
(Local time 0100 May 21.)
Heading: 340 to 350 degrees (Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 2 Kts
Wind direction: NE
Wind force: 1 to 2
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Weather: bc Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: under 0.5 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main and Staysail.
A squall has passed right now.
It was cold rain.
The wind has been weak and the wind direction has been unstable today.
Especially I have struggled with the wind in the afternoon.
The boat has sailed only one mile per one hour in spite of strenuous trimming
of the sail.
I was so exhausted! I really wish for a glass of cold beer.
Stock of alcoholic beverages: 4 cans of beer, whisky one bottle, and one
bottle of shochu.
May 21 - Day 218
JST 2300 Position: 04.23N 150.35E
(Local time 0100 May 22)
Heading: 0 to 350 degrees (Compass course)
Windvane
Boat speed: 4 Kts
Wind direction: ENE
Wind force: 4
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Weather: bc, Fine
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1 to 1.5 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main, and Staysail.
No wind until 1100, steady easterly
wind came to blow after a long wait.
A sea turtle came to study the rudder of SHUTEN-DOJI II. I took a photograph
of it.
The radio transmitter of the boat was made in the U.S. You cannot adjust
the power consumption and it needs considerable power to even turn it on,
therefore I cannot use this device.
May 22 - Day 219
JST
2300 May 22, 2005 Position: 05.46N 150.06E
(Local time 0100 May 23)
Heading: 320 to 330 degrees (Compass course)
Windvane
Boat speed: 4 Kts
Wind direction: NNE
Wind force: 3 to 4
Weather: o, Cloudy
Barometric pressure: 999 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: under 0.5 m
Sailing
with 1-point reefed Main, Staysail and 30% of No.1 Jib.
Squalls
came twice in the morning and the afternoon today.
I had a problem that the Mains'l could not
be lowered at the second squall. The cause of the problem was that the No.3
batten was caught by the mast. Therefore, it was impossible to hoist or
lower the main.
I had to climb the mast and cut the batten.
It is no problem because the full batten is used.
I had a hard time due to the northern wind,
though. I think it will change to
easterly wind from tomorrow.
May 23 - Day 220
JST
2300 May 23, 2005 Position: 06.53N 150.00E
(Local time 0100 May 24)
Heading: 200 to 25 degrees (Compass course)
Windvane
Boat speed: 4 Kts
Wind direction: E
Wind force: 3 to 4
Weather: bc, Fine
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1 to 1.5 m
Sailing
with 1-point reefed Main and Staysail.
Thank
you, Hironobu (ed: probably a man's name).
I
now wish to have some cold beer and sashimi. I like bonito and tuna.
The moon is beautiful here.
1,784 miles left.
May 24 - Day 221
JST
2300 Position: 08.02N 149.40E
Local time: May 24 (Same time and same day
as Japan because
I have passed the Date Line today.)
Heading: 310 to 320 degrees (Compass course)
Windvane
Boat speed: 4.5 Kts
Wind direction: NNE
Wind force: 3 to 4
Weather: bc, Fine
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 1 m
Sailing
with 1-point reefed Main and Staysail.
Will
pass the Caroline Islands within 80 miles. (Ed: The Caroline Islands are a group of about 500 small coral islands east of the Philippines
in the Pacific Ocean.)
I am now going into the most dangerous seas.
I am going to sail by 330 degrees between
the islands and two shoals. Will sail on the current streaming from east
to west at 10N to 15N.
Aiming toward Guam, thence to Northern Mariana
Nations, Bunin (Ogasawara) Is., mainland Japan, and to Misaki, the finish
point.
I wish to arrive Misaki on June 4 or 5,
if possible, because these days are Saturday and Sunday.
(Ed: Misaki is a port south of Yokohama, near the tip of Miura Peninsula. Seabornia is a marina near Misaki Port, and was Saito's departure point on Oct. 16.)
1,713 miles left.
May 25 - Day 222
JST 2300 May 25 Position: 09.50N 147.57E
Heading: 320 to 330 degrees (Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 7 Kts
Wind direction: NE
Wind force: 4 to 5
Weather: b, Fine
Barometric pressure: 994 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 2 to 2.5m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main and 100% of No.1 Jib.
I have passed Caroline Is.
Boat speed has become 7 kts.
I have changed the route to the north to sail on the eastern side of Guam.
I will aim for Misaki, through the Mariana, Ogasawara Is., and the Seven
Islands of Izu (Japan).
1,580 miles left.
May 26 - Day 223
JST 2300 Position: 12.19N 147.03E
Local time: Same
Heading: 350 to 0 degrees
(Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 6 to 7 Kts
Wind direction: NEE
Wind force: 4 to 5
Weather: bc, Fine with occasional
rain
Barometric pressure: 996
hpa
Temperature: 29°C
Wave height: 2 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main
and Staysail.
It was a struggle with a
strong squall today. I was exhausted when it was over!
1,422 miles left.
May 27 - Day 224
JST 2300 Position: 14.54N 146.30E
Heading: 340 to 350 degrees (Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 6 to 7 Kts
Wind direction: E
Wind force: 4 to 5
Weather: bc, Fine with occasional squall r
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 2 to 2.5m
Sailing with 1 point reefed Main, and Staysail
My sailing plan is that I will go to the west from northern side of
Saipan and go to the western side of Mariana Is. And thence to Ogasawara
Is. and to Misaki from the eastern side of Hachijo Jima Is.
I have not determined which side of Ogasawara Is., to go, eastern side
or western side.
As I am approaching the finish point, I am mulling over my shape at
the time of arrival. I think it may be better to cut my hair shorter.
The beard, the mustache and the whiskers? I am now thinking of making
long whiskers.
Long whiskers may fit for an around-the-world sailor. The problem is
the beard.
Please expect the time of my finish.
The day of ETA will vary according to the wind of 20N to 27N.
1,265 miles left; today's sail was 156 miles.
May 28 - Day 225
JST 2300 May 28 Position: 17.14N 145.06E
Heading: 340 to 350 degrees (Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 7 Kts
Wind direction: E
Wind force: 4 to 5
Weather: bc, Fine with occasional squall r
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 2 to 2.5 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main, and Staysail.
Now sailing to the west from the northern side of Saipan.
I can see the smoke of the volcano of Anatahan Island.
1,110 miles left; today's sail was 155 miles.
May 29 - Day 226
JST 2300 Position: 19.51N 144.33E
Heading: 340 to 350 degrees (Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 6.5 Kts
Wind direction: ESE
Wind force: 3
Weather: b, Fine
Barometric pressure: 999 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 2 m
Sailing with 1-point reefed Main, Staysail, and 40% of No. 1 Jib.
952 miles left; today's sail was 158 miles.
May 30 - Day 227
JST 2300 Position: 22.10N 144.10E
Heading: 350 to 0 degrees (Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 6 Kts
Wind direction: SE
Wind force: 5
Weather: b, Fine
Barometric pressure: 997 hpa
Temperature: 30°C
Wave height: 2 to 2.5 m
Sailing with 2-point reefed Main, Staysail, and 30% of No. 1 Jib.
Shuten-Dohji 2 will pass off Haha-jima, Ogasawara Islands, in the
afternoon of June 1.
I will soon have to pass a stagnant front and a cold front.
I will soon pass the Tropic of Cancer and will get into the territorial
waters of Japan.
811 miles left; today's run 141 miles.
May 31 - Day 228
JST 1230 Position: 23.08N 143.46E
Heading: 300 to 310 degrees (Compass course) Windvane
Boat speed: 3 Kts
Wind direction: SSE
Wind force: 3
Weather: --
Barometric pressure: --
Temperature: --
Wave height: --
The wind has weakened. I want to pass about 10 to 15 miles off the
west side of Ogasawara Islands by June 2.
It will take at least two days to Hachijo-jima from there.
When I reach Hachijo-jima, then only 120 miles left to Misaki.
If so, I will be able to finish within 24 hours.
My biggest concern at present is the wind, wind, wind!
***
***