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BT - Official satellite telecom supplier to Clipper Ventures
10 Aug
by Colin de Mowbray
For the benefit of new visitors I will recap. The two Clipper yachts, Antiope and Ariel remain stuck inside the ice belt near Ammassalik (65 37N 37 37W) on the East Coast of Greenland. The low pressure system that was to the south and caused very strong NE winds has now moved towards Iceland and the wind has backed to the NW and dropped. This is helping to ease the ice situation but it will be a few days before can expect any significant advance in the situation.
The ice plot will continue to improve until about early December. If you want to look at the various ice maps please go back to my report for 8 Aug which will take you through the various historical ice charts of the area.
Ariel 1847 GMT 9 August
Richard Barski (Crew)
Leg 4 day 10,Sun 9th August and the sails remain stowed
Saturday's expedition to Mitivagkat glacier was successful, in spite of Matt's navigational field test. We escaped from our anchourage at Ikateq yesterday despite a severe assault by the ice maidens during the night. The damage report on Sunday revealed one split diaphragm in the heads and so Ian is in a panic. At present we are unable to make Ammassilak due to heavy ice traffic on the DS25 so we spent the night in Whale Bay, the only ice free anchorage in Greenland - yes still in Greenland.
It was a surprise curry dinner last night. The surprise was that for once it was NOT curry! We spent all the night doing anchor watches. These had their excitements as the top gusts reached 46 knots and brought lots of rain with them.
My first attempt at bread making today. A Pan Pan Medico has been sent as a result
There was only one taker for a stroll this afternoon. No great surprise it was Matt.
Some of the crew are exhibiting severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms and Nicorette patches are fetching $600 per each.
Other news is that the Skipper has now taken his personal helicopter to St Lucia, mentioning something about sun. He kindly donated his cold to the rest of the crew before leaving.
Rick Barski
Ariel 1847 GMT 9 August
Jim Thom (Skipper)
It's not true. I'm still here! As you can see the crew are in good heart, but we are still trapped and at the moment can not get round the headland back to Ammassilak. We are expecting things to change tomorrow when the wind backs. Please copy this to all.
Cheers Jim (and Alex)
Antiope 0654 GMT 10 August
From Charlie Osborne (Skipper)
We are still at anchor but the ice is now clearing so we will set off for Ammassalik, about 4 miles round the coast, later today. Apparently there is a tanker about 5 miles to the south but no sound or sight of him at present. Will be in touch when we are back in Ammassalik.
All well Jim
by Colin de Mowbray
Well there you have it. It is another wait and see day but it looks as though they should have no trouble getting back to their favourite port and once there they can find out about the latest ice situation and also if there are any visiting ships due. These are important as they will be able to give an actual report of the ice they encountered and also it is sometimes possible to follow them out in their wake. This is a common practice but requires quite a bit of concentration. The trick is to keep about 3 boat lengths astern in the clear water. If you are more than this there is a 'snooker effect' as the ice floes rebound off each other and then come back and get you. If you are too close and the lead ship stops on a big one you have to practice an emergency stop.
We look forward to their next report.
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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