"Spirit of Sydney" rendezvoused with Police boat Vigilant (which was chartered by Don and Margie McIntyre) 20 miles South of Bruny Island at 4am this morning and was towed to the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. Arriving at 12noon Skipper Chris Roberts was in top form and the crew were all slightly shell shocked and dazed, at the serenitity and calm conditions tied along side. It was straight in for hot showers, Green salads and the first step ashore for 6 weeks. Spirit of Sydney is now being cleaned out and getting ready for repairs.
0800 46.26S 144.17E, 040T Course, 4.5 knots speed, 32 knot winds WSW, seas 2-3 metres, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 1023 Millibars, CONFUSED SWELLS, MAKING SOME EASTING, GOING TO BE A TOUGH DAY, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, CREW OK.
0800 48.11S 144.18E, 352T Course, 5.5 knots speed, 28 knot winds WSW, seas 2metres, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 1011 Millibars, NUMEROUS SQUALL LINES 35-40 KNOTS, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, CREW OK.
0800 50.26S 145.09E, 020T Course, 9 knots speed, 20 knot winds NW, seas 1metres, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 995 Millibars, EXCELLENT FOR CASTING ,WIND IS WORKING FOR US FOR A CHANGE , IT CAME IN EARLY THIS MORNING, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, CREW OK.
0800 51.55S 144.29E, 295T Course, 5 knots speed, 8 knot winds WSW, seas 1.5metres, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 999 Millibars, VERY COLD NIGHT WITH LIGHT FLUKEY CONDITIONS, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE,CREW OK, HEALTH AND HYGIENE DAY.
0800 52.56S 143.20E, 355T Course, 4.5 knots speed, 14knot winds WSW, seas 1.5metres, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 1003 Millibars, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE,CREW OK.
0800 KNOCKED 30MILES SOUTH IN STORM, HEADING NORTH IN LIGHT TO MODERATE WINDS, GOOD WEATHER FORECAST TILL THURSDAY THIS WEEK, CREW OK, HOPE TO BE BACK ON THE WEEKEND.
NO REPORT DUE TO STORM.
0800 55.39.1S 142.07E 010T Course, 4 knots speed, 35knot winds NW, seas 13metres, 4/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 963 Millibars,CREW OK, BILGES POWDER IS DAMP, HOVE TO MOST OF THE NIGHT BUT HEADING NORTH NOW ON PORT TACK TRYING TO BREAK LAT ITUDE 54.
0800 55.39S 142.41E 060T Course, 4 knots speed, 14knots wind NE, 8/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 993 Millibars, WIND CHANGE, ALL OK, NO CHANGE WITH SYSTEMS. BIG STORM APPROACHING WITH 65KNOT WINDS AND 13 METRE SEAS.
0800 56.09S 141.24E 020T Course, 7 knots speed, 18-22knots wind SW, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 1003 Millibars, QUIET NIGHT IN STEADY WINDS, HEALTH AND HYGIENE DAY, DOING BATTLE WITH THE BIOMAS, FUR BALLS, DIRTY FINGER NAILS, BAD BREATH, BODY LICE, CRUSTY UNDIES, BUT STEADY PROGRESS IN RIGHT DIRECTION.
1800 57.18S 141.12E 005T Course, 6.8 knots speed, 25knots wind NNW, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 1003 Millibars, STEADY PROGRESS IN RIGHT DIRECTION, MORALE FOCUSED, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE.
0800 58.19S 141.17E 350T Course, 7.5knots speed, 32knots wind NW,7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 1000 Millibars, ALL FOCUSED TOWARDS HOBART, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, ALL OK.
1800 59.35S 140.40E 010T Course, 5 knots speed, 25knots wind NW, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 998 Millibars, THINGS R OK, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, 3 REEFS & STAYSAIL, GOING EASY. (Webmaster Note: There is notably improved milage today, I suspect they are dreaming of the first meal in Hobart. Perhaps a crayfish, scallops or abalone? They are out of the sixties, what a milestone!)
0800 60.25S 140.19E 020T Course, 5knots speed, 16knots wind W, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 991 Millibars, ALL OK?, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, DESALINATOR WORKING. (Webmaster Note: The desalinator can not be operated in sea temperature less than 2 degrees C as it would risk damaging the membrane, its operation indicates fresh water and that they are getting into warmer waters. Spirit is almost 1/3 of the way from Antarctica to Tasmania in perfect sailing conditions)
1800 61.13S 140.04E 040T Course, 0.5knots speed, 5knots wind SW, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 986 Millibars, CREW OK, LIGHT CONDITIONS, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE.
0800 61.16S 139.54E 010T Course, 2knots speed, 5knots wind E, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility,1 DEG C AIR TEMP, 986 Millibars, LIGHT CONDITIONS, SNOWING, PORRIDGE 4 BREKKIE, CREW OK, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, CHRIS (DONT EAT YELLOW SNOW)
1800 61.45S 139.40E 020T Course, 4knots speed, 10knots wind SE, 6/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 990 Millibars, LIGHT CONDITIONS HEADING NTH FOR TOASTED SANDWICHES. WERE WATCHING A VAN DAMM VIDEO TO-NIGHT THEN ITS FUSH AND CHUPS WITH SUX MILOS LISTENING TO TUM FUNN FROM CRUDDED HOOSE. (This is not the webmasters poor spelling but rather Chris lapsing into Kiwi. PS there is no TV/video on board, there dreamin. Music & Milo is closer to reality. They sound in good spirits)
0800 62.06S 139.19E, 055T Course, 6knots speed, 28knots wind S, 7/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 986 Millibars, GOOD MORNING GANG, QUIET NIGHT, ALL WELL, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE.
1800 62.12S 140.14E, 270T Course,2knots speed, 35/40knots wind S, 8/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 977 Millibars, IN A BIT OF A BLOW, HOVE TO, SYSTEMS NO CHANGE, CREW OK
0800 62.43S 138.56E, 020T Course,7knots boat speed, 30knots wind E, 8/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 988 Millibars, WINDS UP, TAKING IT CAREFULLY ALL OK.
64.40S 139.15E, 335T Course,5knots boat speed, 15knots wind NW, 2/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 996 Millibars, CREW OK,BACKUP SYSTEMS OK.
65.18S 138.57E, 010T Course, 2.5knots boat speed, 12knots wind E, 6/8 cloud cover, ok visibility, 997 Millibars, CREW OK, PORT RUDDER STEERAGE, HAVE SMILE ON DIAL
65.53S 138.49E, Heading 345T
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YACHT TRAPPED IN ANTARCTIC PACK ICE
The 19 metre Australian expedition yacht Spirit of Sydney has become trapped in thick pack ice approximately 50 nautical miles from the French Antarctic Base at Dumont D’Urville, 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart.
The yacht with ten people onboard is a veteran of eight previous Antarctic Expeditions and was returning from Cape Dension in Commonwealth Bay, the site of Mawson’s Huts. It experienced difficulties in the ice late yesterday and is now disabled with steering and engine problems, which the crew are attempting to repair.
Overnight winds of up to 40 knots were experienced causing concern as the yacht drifted between two icebergs and a distress situation was declared to AusSAR, Australia’s rescue co-ordination centre. This was down graded a few hours later at the request of the Skipper of Spirit of Sydney who is in regular satellite communications with AusSAR and their Expedition Headquarters in Sydney and Hobart.
"Spirit of Sydney is a proven vessel with the very best safety equipment, satellite communications, experienced Skipper and competent crew, " said Don McIntyre, Antarctic Adventurer, Around the world yachtsman and owner of Spirit of Sydney.
The Skipper, Chris Roberts has made a request to the Captain of the Astrolabe, a French Antarctic re-supply vessel due in the immediate area in the next 36 hours enroute to the French Base to rendezvous with Spirit of Sydney as a precaution. It is hoped that repairs will allow Spirit of Sydney to commence sailing again as in the past few hours they have drifted into open water with less pack ice.
Information on Spirit of Sydney and her current situation report can be found on the website www.oceanfrontiers.com.au .
Ends #
For further information contact:
Don McIntyre through Sydney Office: 02 99798525
Date: January 30, 2001.
"Spirit of Sydney"General Information
"Spirit of Sydney" was purpose built for around the world racing and was sailed by Ian Kiernan in the 1996 BOC Challenge. Spirit of Sydney then went on to race and cruise along the Australian Coast until bought by Adventurers Don & Margie McIntyre, when a $300,000 refit was undertaken to transform her into an expedition yacht. She has since made eight Antarctic expeditions and one sub-Antarctic voyage since 1994, voyaging in the Southern Ocean every summer since 1994. These voyages have included;
Safety Equipment
Includes two 406 Satellite EPIRBs (one in a hydrostatic release capsule), two eight man liferafts, full category O safety equipment, two manual PUR Survivor desalinators, Sea-Marshall man-overboard recovery system with direction finder and EPIRBs. Ten SOLAS immersion survival suits, 1 Musto Survival Dry Suit, inflatable life jackets and safety harness units. Manual and electric bilge pumps to support the five independent watertight compartments throughout the vessel. A substantial first-aid kit is also carried.
Inventory
Includes, PUR Survivor desalinator, 12 & 24 volt systems, 2 inflatable dinghies, 2 outboard motors.
Communications Equipment
Is state-of-the-art with the latest Inmarsat M Satellite phone. Inmarsat Standard C system allows access to the Global Maritime Distress Surveillance System and has a backup GPS. An Icom M710 high frequency synthesized radio and a VHF radio is fitted, and two VHF hand-helds for shore parties are carried.
Electronic Equipment
Includes 24-mile radar, weatherfax, chart plotter, three GPS systems, full Raytheon electronics fitout.
Crew
The Spirit of Sydney is skippered by experienced AYF Yachtmaster Chris Roberts and is accompanied by nine crew.
29th January 2001
66.05S 140.14E, 44knots wind, poor visibility, temp cold,ALL OK,TOUGH GOING WITH WIND AND PACK ICE.
28th January 2001
66.43S 142.20E, 4knots boat speed,25knots wind ESE,8/8 cloud cover, 6 Bergs, ok visibility, 992 Millibars, ALL OK,TOUGH GOING WITH WIND.
27th January 2001
66.06S 139.15E, calm seas, 6knots boat speed, 4.5knots wind NW, 5/8 cloud cover, 8 Bergs, ok visibility, 1003 Millibars, ALL OK BROKE THROUGH PACK THIS MORNING GOING FOR IT, FUN WITH HEAD LAST NIGHT.
26th January 2001
65.36S 139.14E, calm seas, 3knots boat speed, 0knots wind, 0 degrees, 8/8 cloud cover, 9/10 pack ice, ok visibility, 1003 Millibars, ALL OK VERY HEAVY PACK ICE, THICK FOG PROBING WEST SLOWLY.
25th January 2001
65.37S 140.51E, 2m seas, 4knots boat speed, 4knots S, 0 degrees, 2/8 cloud cover, 8/10 pack ice, ok visability, 996 Millibars, ALL OK VERY HEAVY PACK ICE, PROBING WEST FINGERS CROSSED.
24th January 2001
65.35S 141.34E, 2m seas, 5knots boat speed, 20knots NNE, 2 degrees, 7/8 cloud cover, bergs, 3 miles visability, snow, 992 Millibars, TOUGH NIGHT 1 SICK ALL OK.
23rd January 2001
63.34S 143.43E, 2m seas, 7knots boat speed 16knots E, 7/8 cloud cover, 977 Millibars, ALL OK NO ICE SLEET
22nd January 2001
61.24S 144.47E, 2m seas, 15knots NW, 8/8 cloud cover, 962 Millibars, ALL OK NO ICE
21st January 2001
59.01S 145.04E, 2m seas, 22knots W, 8/8 cloud cover, 950 Millibars, ALL OK
20th January 2001
57.16S 146.10E, 3m seas, 40knots E, 8/8 cloud cover, 972 Millibars, ALL OK HOVE TO.
19th January 2001
56.03S 147.59E, 1m seas, 18knots WSW, 5/8 cloud cover, 1015Millibars, WATCHES NOW FULL ALL OK.
18th January 2001
53.51S 147.59E, 2m seas, 28knots WNW, 8/8 cloud cover, 1002Millibars, 2 SEASICK ALL OK.
17th January 2001
Posn 51.41S 149.43E, 2m seas, 25knots SSW, 5/8 cloud cover, 1012Millibars, 2 SICK ALL OK MAKING PROGRESS IN RIGHT DIRECTION
16th January 2001
Posn 50.17S 149.52E, 35 knots of wind, 8/8 cloud cover, 995Millibars, 3 SICK TOUGH NIGHT COMING OUT OF IT NOW ALL OK SMILES ABOUND.
11th January 2001
"Spirit of Sydney" set sail from Hobart toward Antarctica and will anchor in the lower reach of the Dentrecasteax tonight.
8th January 2001
"Spirit of Sydney" returned to the RYCT in Hobart after successful preparations.
6th January 2001
"Spirit of Sydney" departed Hobart for a shakedown voyage in preparation for their Southern Ocean crossing.
5th January 2001
The Antarctic crew or Trevor White, Robert Tulk, Peter Lynch, Dick Meisenhelter, Harveym, Leigh Pfitzner, Bill Reynolds and Colin Lougheed joined John Scully and skipper Chris Roberts who were already onboard from the Telstra Sydney Hobart Race for Expedition Ice Bound 2001.
31st December 2000
"Spirit of Sydney" is now undergoing a transformation from "racing machine" to "expedition vessel". The racing gear has been removed and over the next week the Antarctic gear will be loaded.
30th December 2000
The front was SW rather than S and so more tacking eventually brought "Spirit" into Tasman Island. From there the sheets were eased and all the sail area poured on to roar up the Derwent and cross the finish line off Battery Point. The final position was 28th across the line and 4th place in PHS.
29th December 2000
A wild night of fronts. The best one bringing 55 knots and driving rain. Spirit dropped its mainsail and went under storm jib alone for an hour during this. The wind is SW and they are tacking south along the Tasmanian east coast hoping for a S or SE change tonight to bring them into Tasman Island.
28th December 2000
"Spirit of Sydney" is in lumpy seas crossing Bass Strait. The wind is from the WSW and allowing them to ease sheets slightly.
27th December 2000
The glorious run down the NSW coast came to close this morning with a SE change. This is around 20-25 knots and after placing offshore she is now on a tack to meet the coast just north of Eden. et hope the Sw change comes through before they meet the coast.
26th December 2000
"Spirit of Sydney" gets a great start in the Telstra Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. A close call with Nokia at the start added to the excitement and after tacking out the harbour set a spinnaker down the coast.
27th November 2000
"Spirit of Sydney" is currently in port