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BT - Official satellite telecom supplier to Clipper Ventures
7 Aug
by Colin de Mowbray
The two clippers have regrouped having failed to find a way through the coastal ice. The situation that in the summer the ice breaks off the ice cap in the north and is brought down the coast on the East Greenland Current. The problem is further compounded if there is an onshore wind as this caused the ice bits (Brash ice) to bump along the coast like flotsam.
Antiope 1323 GMT 6 August
From Charlie Osborne (Skipper)
To summarise the two positions we reached from Ammassalik (65 37N 37 37W) on our unsuccessful attempts to get through the ice were:
A. 65 32N 38 01W approx 10 nm WSW of Ammasalik
B. 65 27N 37 48Wapprox 10 nm SSW Ammasalik
We have seen no change in the conditions so far today but going west along coast for a fresh vantage point
Charlie
Ariel 11408 GMT 6 August
Jim Thom (Skipper)
Antiope has sent updates on the positions we got to on our previous attempts. We have heard that Scorsbysund (NE point of Greenland - 450 miles up the coats) has been blocked all this year and there seems much more ice arriving from the north. Grateful if you can get more ice information from Danes or Norwegians for us. We will have another look soon. Jim
Antiope 2300 GMT 6 August
From Charlie Osborne (Skipper)
We are presently at anchor in small bay called Ikteq at the entrance to Sermilik Fjord to the west of Ammasalik. We will stay her and have a look down the coast in the morning to see if we can find a passage south along the coast.
Regards to all Charlie
by Colin de Mowbray
The ice information from the American agency NOAA from the internet showed the ice was less thick to the south and that there is an 'ice free bay' to the SW which the boats were trying go towards - hence their course to the WSW and SW. We have now sent them information from the Norwegian Met institute which shows that the ice is clearer right to the west and so their best chance is to keep near the coast and then break out to the south. This is why they are having a look in this area and we expect them to explore this option today.
On a general note, it is appreciated that their extended holiday inside the coastal ice belt could have implications on their arrival date in Plymouth and this is being addressed. At the moment it is a case of wait and see. The main point of course is that they are quite safe and near civilisation and so all options are open. When I say all options I do of course include sailing back! This is because the ice will continue to clear for the rest of the year and the area only becomes closed because of ice between about January to July. Sir Robin promises to explain this later ….
Colin
BT - Official satellite telecom supplier to Clipper Ventures
The log entries are produced from messages sent by both Clipper yachts via their InmarsatC using BT satellite services. They are compiled either by Colin de Mowbray or David Cullen and the intention is to have them published by 1000BST daily (but they are sometimes late!)
If you know of people without access to the Web who would like to follow the Clipper please note that both voice-back and fax-back is available on 01234 711550
Comments, feedback and other articles are welcome and should be addressed to either: cdemowbray@clipper-ventures.com or dcullen@clipper-ventures.com
Should you wish to communicate with either of the Clippers please refer to the article 'Satcoms made easy' (Yes, it's a lie) is a news items dated 11 June 98 on the Clipper Ventures' Home page
BT - Official satellite telecom supplier to Clipper Ventures
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