Captain’s Log

Hunter sailed us out of our anchorage in the late afternoon on Halloween. We had a nice sail, tacking our way up the Northwest Channel. Carolina had the next watch, and brought us past Northwest Channel Light and onto the bank. By midnight, we had crossed Mackie Shoal and were bound for Great Isaac Cay. Before dawn, the wind filled in and we sailed in a calm sea across the shallow Great Bahama Bank.  Alina led B Watch on the morning watch and sailed us up to the anchor off Great Isaac Cay mid-morning.

We gave the mid-watch some more time to sleep in, and then went ashore to explore the uninhabited island. There is an abandoned cluster of buildings, including sleeping quarters, multiple cisterns fed from rainwater, and a large flag pole pedestal - the centerpiece is a lighthouse. Built of cast iron panels, it was reportedly built in 1852 for the Great London Exhibition, it was then shipped to the island and reconstructed in 1859.It stands over 150', but the light is not operable - or at least it wasn't when we approached.  Everyone went for a swim on the way back. A few fisherman that we had seen days earlier, anchored back at Great Harbour Cay, stopped by to give us a bucket full of lobster tails, a very kind gesture. We added to the number during a snorkel, with the Olivers racking up two more for dinner.

Oliver H. sailed us off the anchor at around 1500, and we had a beautiful over the deep blue waters of the bank - the wind was light enough that we could make out the bottom in 60' of water. Oliver P. snagged a happy birthday balloon we saw floating in the water with our dip net, and we saw a group of small whales that looked like Pilot Whales, but were slightly different. Still not sure what they were, Lillie and Carolina were poring over a book of marine mammals. Oliver P. and Lillie made dinner, with help from Oliver H., fresh baked rolls, lobster, carrots and potatoes. Sunset brought an amazing pink sky reflected on the underside of the clouds, as we eased into the north flowing current of the Gulf Stream. Andrew and B Watch had the watch from 1800-2000, as we crossed the entry to the Northeast Providence Channel. With schoolwork complete, the crew has taken to reading. Jack is in the middle of a Joseph Conrad book.  At 0109, many people got up to see the rocket launch off Cape Canaveral, it was quite spectacular! Even close to 90 miles away, we could see an immense orange glow as the rocket launched, and then the separation high above us.  As we near the center axis of the Gulf Stream, the water temperature is close to 82° F and giving us a 2-3 knot boost north. Looks like we should arrive to Port Canaveral later today.   Here we will wrap up the final few days together as a crew and take care of final details of our six-week voyage. 

Hunter sailed us off the anchor at Soldier Cay, and started us on our way to Little Harbour Cay. We had a pleasant sail, just about 8 nautical miles. At the halfway point, he handed off to Jack, who sailed us through the narrow channel into the anchorage near Little Harbour Cay. We spent time on the beach, finished up schoolwork, explored the area, looked for lobsters (we found one), and made a late afternoon trip to visit Flo's Conch Bar (not to be confused with the similar sounding establishment near campus). Chester Darville maintains the outpost that has been in his family for 30 years. Piles of conch shells line the edge of the dock as you walk up to the small restaurant. Lots of conch fritters were consumed!  Back on board, Andrew guided us out of the cut, and on our way south. We caught at least one barracuda on the way, probably our eighth of the trip, still hoping for a fish we can keep. Oliver H. and starboard watch took the second watch, who did a great job sailing us up to the anchor in the lee of Frazier's Hog Cay.   At this point Hurricane Melissa was at it's closest point to us, over 200 nautical miles, and we were only had winds around 15 knots out of the NNE.

The next morning, with a cold front pushing off the coast,(the same one that pulled Melissa up and out of The Bahamas) we had the wind back around to the WNW. Most of the crew have completed their schoolwork and we made a trip ashore to explore and set up the rope swing. In the mid-afternoon, we commenced our Halloween activities a day early, since we plan to be underway tonight. Port and starboard watch got dressed up in costumes with varying levels of commitment. Most had been planned for weeks, based on the cartoon Phineas and Ferb. We went head-to-head in events ranging from apple bobbing to pumpkin carving. Alina and Andrew made deep dish pizza and salad again, and we told scary stories. After dishes, we played hide and seek - Carolina, Hunter, Lillie and Jack vs. Oliver H., Andrew, Oliver P. and Alina. Each watch gets a chance to hide with the other watch waiting in our inflatable a good distance off the boat. The seeking is timed, whoever is fastest wins. Alina and Carolina were the last to be found for each watch, and the winner (Alina's team) was able to find everyone one minute faster than Carolina's team. Twenty four minutes does seem like a long time to hide on a 69' boat, but I have actually seen it go longer. 

Chores are happening right now, and Oliver H. is making waffles and bacon for breakfast on this Halloween morning. We are waiting for the NW wind to back off a little before departure, probably in the mid-afternoon. This morning we will have a quiz and this afternoon a final exam review. Swimming, snorkeling and schoolwork will occupy the rest of the time. Our hope is to be in the Gulf Stream by tomorrow afternoon, and then up to Port Canaveral in the afternoon on November 2. 

When we woke up Monday morning the wind had veered to the SE and subsided considerably. After a morning study hall, Carolina sailed us off the anchor and out past the entrance channel that brought us into Great Harbour Cay. With the sea state still up, we needed to wait for another day in the lee of the island.

This presented us with a perfect opportunity for the crew to demonstrate their sailing skills with an exercise called "chase the buoy." With a reduced sail plan to make things more simple, the crew take turns in control of Geronimo while retrieving a small buoy tossed over the side. The idea is to stop the boat next to the buoy, while demonstrating your understanding of sail maneuvers. The mates and I were impressed. Everyone did a great job, and stopped the boat next to the buoy within five minutes. 

Afterward, we sailed back into the anchorage and enjoyed a nice afternoon of swimming, schoolwork and relaxing on deck. Andrew and Oliver P. made smash burgers with homemade buns and fries for dinner. It was a hit. In the late evening, on the rising tide, we moved west a few miles to position ourselves in deep water for a departure the next morning. 

Not long after sunrise, Oliver H. had the first watch taking us around the corner. The wind had all but disappeared, and the water was glassy calm. We set the mainsail for stability and started up the main engine.  Passing close by Little Stirrup Cay (aka Coco Cay), we got close to two docked cruise ships as we turned the corner. We called on the radio and learned that they had close to 7000 passengers and over 2000 crew. I explained that we just had eggs, bacon, bagels and fruit for breakfast, and it turns out they had a more substantial menu offered that morning. We passed by Great Stirrup Cay, and then Oliver handed over to Alina, who brought us into the anchorage at Soldier Cay. The water was crystal clear, and we could pick out sea biscuits and sea cucumbers sitting on the bottom.

After lunch, two runs in our inflatable got us to the beach powdery white sand beach on the lee side of Hoffman Cay. We walked up the path a short distance, emerging from the dense vegetation to see the large, 600' wide blue hole. The overhanging ledge above the blue hole was perfect for jumping, about 12-15' above the water. The water was slightly warmer than the ocean, and salty (as opposed to the freshwater we visited on Great Abaco). Everyone jumped in multiple times, and we enjoyed playing and relaxing in this unique and amazing location. On the way back, we lingered at the beach before heading back to Geronimo. Jack, who was cook for the day, had been talking about his love for chicken salad and his ambition to make it for weeks. I was surprised to learn that he was unaware of the chicken salad offerings at King Hall (shout out to Sage Dining!), as was he. Tonight was the night. Homemade chicken salad, pasta salad and green salad were put out for yet another al fresco dining experience at sunset. 

Our plan is to sail to Little Harbour for part of the day, and then to the anchorage off of Frazier's Hog Cay later this afternoon. The eye of Hurricane Melissa is due to safely pass over 200 nautical miles southeast of us later tonight, and the forecast does not call for wind more than 15-20 knots. 

Can't remember the last time I updated the log in the evening. Sometimes it is good to mix things up. We had a very fast sail from North Eleuthera to the Berry Islands, I think we probably averaged more than 9 knots. Oliver P. handed off to Lillie and C Watch, and they took us on the final stretch. Sailing past Great Stirrup Cay and then Little Stirrup Cay (aka Coco Cay, according to the owner, Royal Caribbean), Lillie gybed us over to a port tack as we passed a behemoth cruise ship, apparently the largest in the world. In the lee of the island, the seas settled down and we made our way to the approach channel at Great Harbour Cay. A cushion blew overboard on our way in, and it proved to be a perfect opportunity to practice an MOB recovery under sail. Continuing on through the entrance channel, with just over a foot under our keel, we sailed into the anchorage where the depth opened up. With Alina at the helm, Lillie tacked us into the lee of Cistern Cay where we rounded up and dropped the anchor under sail. We settled in for the evening at anchor. Oliver H. went big, and made deep-dish pizzas for dinner. 

 I think we have run the engine for three minutes since we made it to The Bahamas, and we have only sailed on and off the anchor. The crew has really done a great job sailing Geronimo. 

With the wind due to be up for a few days, we spent Saturday morning in study hall. In the afternoon, some of us went to snorkel on a wrecked DC-3 - with an amazing amount of fish. Some went for a swim off the boat. There was even some wing foiling in the afternoon, Bird, Jack and I each took turns.  We also caught a few lobsters that supplemented Hunter's barbeque chicken and rice dinner.

This morning started off with study hall, then a trip into the small island community of Great Harbour Cay, followed by lunch and an excursion ashore to a lovely sandy beach just off our bow. We did two runs through the mangrove channel between Cistern and Lignumvitae Cays. It was narrow, and interesting, and a perfect place to have an informal class on mangroves. Back at the beach, everyone relaxed - throwing the football or skip ball, reading on the beach or going for a walk. Most everyone went back to the boat, but Taylor, Oliver H., Jack and I went to explore a cave that we saw on Lignumvitae Cay, and it turned into a nice walk and finding a second cave. Back on board, we mobilized for phone time back on the beach. Everyone spread out and got a chance to check in at home. Dinner on board was Shepherd's pie and Oliver P.'s biscuits. Oliver H. and Carolina are making some sort of dessert involving peanut butter and chocolate, and it is actually relatively quiet. Quiet ship started nine minutes ago at 2200. 

Our plan is to explore the Berry Islands for the next 4-5 days. The eye of hurricane Melissa is due to safely pass 250 nautical miles to our southeast from our current position.