4,500nm

Review of Event Horizon’s logbook shows I sailed over 4,500 nautical miles between when I departed the US on Oct 30th, 2006 and returned yesterday. I hope there will be many more miles to log…

Fun fact: 1 nautical mile is equal to about 1.15 miles or 1.852 km used by land lubbers.

Bermuda to Newport 2007

My captain and I departed Bermuda early Sunday, May 20th to sail 700nm in four days (171nm,184nm,176nm,169nm), arriving in Newport, Rhode Island on Thursday morning, May 24th.

This trip laid my doubts to rest. It IS possible to have a comfortable Bermuda/Newport route passage. Despite cold air that kept us in foul weather gear and unusual patches of light air, it was our easiest and fastest (out of four) trip to date.

Special thanks to our Bermudian friends, especially Bermuda Yacht Services, for making our latest stay on their beautiful yachtie-friendly island so pleasurable.

Returning to Newport

Yesterday an unexpected good weather window for heading north started to present itself on the 5-day weather charts. Therefore my captain has decided we will depart ahead of schedule. Today St George's village (especially the fuel dock, sail loft and grocery store) is a busy place with sailors quickly preparing to depart as early as this evening (for small or slower boats) and throughout tomorrow morning. We're planning a sunrise departure and a 4.5 day trip that will have us arriving in the Narragansett Bay sometime Thursday, May 24th.

Lucky for all, our guests opted for the comforts of a hotel for their final days, relieving a bit of our guilt for leaving before them. It was a fast paced morning but we are ready to set sail but for now we will go ashore once more to check-out, say our goodbyes and spend the last of our Bermudian money.

Burrrr

Life in Bermuda is good despite the unusually cool temperatures and news that it has been warmer in New England. Most evenings are painfully chilly because I refuse to wear pants. After all it is springtime. But it’s been impossible to avoid wearing fleece and sometimes a coat. Even my captain has felt the need to turn on the Espar (heat) a few times.

I have been revisiting my favorite places and enjoying Bermuda’s beauty, especially her blue waters. The island is a buzz with tourists, especially from cruise ships. Seasonal businesses and weekly events are in full swing, making the island feel bigger and giving everyone more to explore. The harbour is filled with boats - and often the pubs with sailors - due to numerous poor weather systems that are making it difficult to safely head north. While most sailors are frustrated, I’ve been enjoying their company and making new friends.

Crowd Welcomes Us in Bermuda

As customary, upon arrival in Bermuda we first cleared customs and immigration. Afterwards, since the winds were favorable, we went to the fuel dock. Already my captain and I were reminded how friendly Bermudians are. It felt good to be back. We anchored and commenced cleaning the boat and ourselves in preparation for going ashore for some land time, a cold beer and a good meal cooked by someone else. About an hour later, things took a wild turn.

A police boat flew into St George’s Harbour and immediately pulled along side us, insisting that we return to the customs dock immediately. The police boat circled the boat while we put the dock lines and fenders back on and lifted anchor. (We could already see people out on boats with their binoculars!) We were escorted to the customs dock where over 10 assorted officers & officials were waiting for us. Several of whom promptly boarded us with a dog. They were looking for drugs. Meanwhile others questioned my captain and me separately. After the dog found nothing, two men searched the boat. Luckily they were not destructive to anything as they apparently often are and lawfully can be.

Thankfully we had nothing to hide, but it was still an unnerving experience. Especially hearing all the whispers (voices travel far on/near water) from onlookers (there was a cruise ship in town) and people waiting for the ferry.

Eventually we were safely on anchor again, but the talk of the town. As my captain said “we were tried, convicted and sentenced by a large peanut gallery."

Endless chats about the ordeal with friends and other locals confirm that this was not a routine search or training exercise (apparently only the big boys were present). What little we can learn is that the authorities had been tipped off, which is the most bazaar part to us. Many believe we were either used as a decoy or they had our boat mixed up with another. Despite trying, no one can find out anything more so we’ll never know. If I learned one thing it's to not assume anything the next time I see drug dogs on someone else’s boat or on or in their anything. Interesting how we jump to conclusions. Even our closest local friends who were witnessing the crowd drawing event admitted that they were saying to themselves, "couldn't be so, could it???”