It was at 0700 hrs today Sunday Morning I was in a deep dream when the phone rang. I sprang out of bed knowing that the only person I know to be awake at that time would be Anthony. He was fairly cheerful bearing in mind that he had been awake most of the night. The sea anchor was deployed again to keep the boat steady. Earlier in the day Anthony had stopped rowing and was about to prepare a meal when out of the blue the sky darkened and the wave increased in height and intensity. Preparing a meal was too difficult so it was an Uncle Bens Rice again. The North Atlantic is a big place so it comes as some supprise to me that Anthony has seen and been in radio contact with 3 other vessels since he left the Canaries. One vessel an American fishing trawler was able to give useful weather information. Speaking of the weather I am able to pass on information to him over the sat phone wind speed wave height e.c.t. and this is of some limited use. The problem is in a rowing boat there is really not much you can do to avoid it. The plan at the moment is to head South and a bit west hoping to pick up the currents that will aid the progress of the boat towards Antigua. At the moment the waves are coming onto the side of the boat making rowing uncomfortable but at least it is pushing him South.
His position at 0700 hrs this Morning was given at 27deg 08mins
N 18deg 31mins W There was a fair swell up to 3 metres in height with good visibility. Anthony has managed to have a shave today and sort a few things out. The sun is making a watery appearance which will help to charge the batteries that run all the electronics and essential items like the water maker. No sun equals no power!!!
We had another brief telephone conversation at midday. I was able to give him the news that the weather was set to remain as it has been until Tuesday when it should calm down a bit. His position 27deg 04 mins N 018deg 35 mins W. If you type the Lat Long reference into google earth you can see where he is in relation to the Canaries. Anthony says that he would love to email people personally but it is not possible at the moment but will try later.
BW (land based co-ordinator)
