Delphinus Remains in Bermuda...

Shocking update:
Commander Deb reported to abandon ship
leaving Captain Bill swinging at anchor in St. Georges harbor...

What's going on aboard the Delphinus? Outrage builds as calls demanding an official inquiry begin...

Reports of Captain Bill returning to the lonely ship late at night, kegs of Goslings bobbing behind his boat, combined with confirmed calls to the mainland for recipes for "Ginger Beer" referenced as cause for concern

Disturbing rumors that he hasn't been down below talking with "Herb from Canada" all this time -
he's been down below with "Herb from Jamaica"!

Is it true that Captain Bill is ruthlessly executing a secret plan never to return to New England?

Replacement Crew never makes it out of the harbor - or even to the boat!

Replacement crew member #1, Rob Flynn, made it to Bermuda and even off the dock (for a 1/4 mile fuel trip), but he never actually made it out of St. Georges harbor!

We're guessing he enjoyed a few nice days in Bermuda, the wonderful hospitality of the Stone couple aboard the good ship Delphinus, as well as some dinners out and local sailor's refreshments...

Furber (?) never even made it out of Philadelphia airport
but apparently he did get to hang out at the "Jet Rock Bar & Grill", and even liked it enough to send this picture instead of a standard Delphinus-crew head-shot (not sure what that says about him, but it's not hard to believe he's a "Friend of Bill")

St. Georges, Bermuda

986 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray
692 miles from Montauk, Long Island, NY
 

Deb, Bill, Sarah, Anne-Seymour, Will

(sorry, big bummer, no Pam...)

Greetings.

Hope this finds everybody warm and dry.

It's 3:00PM eastern standard time and we (the crew of Delphinus) have just departed Puerto Marina De Ray on the north east coast of Puerto Rico.
We'll head due east for several miles before turning north for the Cucaracha Passage and the Atlantic ocean.

Weather is warm, overcast and at times down right wet, but the weather forecasts call for south - southeast winds and clear skies for the days ahead.

We'll try to send blast emails along the way rather than updating the web page so keep a look out for our news. We love you with all our hearts.
The crew of the yacht Delphinus.
Billy, Deb, Sarah, Anne-Seymour & Willy
 

A 4:45 PM Update:

Pouring rain at the moment and no wind.

Just cleared the cucaracha passage and are now steaming (6.9 kts) northbound at rhumbline course of 345 degrees true.

Bill's presently going deaf listening to herb on the SSB... Deb and Sarah are in the galley and Anne-Seymour's at the helm.

Land is dropping steadily below a cloud filled horizon so I need to sign off to get my last drink!!

Best to all.

Willy

Sarah's cooking us chicken stir fry for dinner and the locals must smelt the good home cookin' cause suddenly we were sailing with pod of about 25 dolphins!!

It's amazing how they just appear so suddenly and then disappear just as quickly.
 

203 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray

Good day for Delphinus' crew, bad day for the fish!

What'd he say?

Waiting to listen to Herb and the next weather report. Look for updates soon.

XOXOXOX

Bill, Deb, Will, Anne-Seymour and Sarah

Weather report just in is a bit "uncertain" per Herb but is generally favorable with winds from the E or ENE at 15-20kts which is a comfortable angle as we are proceeding 355 degrees True to pass aprox. 100 miles West of Bermuda (as a precaution in the event of foul weather from the West or a fuel depot stop should the winds leave us in the diesel doldrums).

The weather to-date has allowed us to incorporate a watch schedule that provides for ample Z's and reading time!

Wind has dropped to 7 knots apparent - and we're heading into it at 7 knots?! Motor on again...but Willy is mixing an enormous batch of mashed potatoes laden with rich butter and sour cream....who says you have to lose a half a pound a day on these excursions? And there's more chocolate for desert!

 

456 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray

We're moving now!!

Current speed between 8 - 9 knots with roller reefed mainsail and jenny. A little rocky but everyone is feeling fine and the chicken curry dinner settled well.

Herb says lighter winds are predicted for tomorrow - hopefully we'll see some sunshine too as these Northerners are pasty white.

Signing off from Delphinus.

Latitude: 24 54 01 North
Long: 66 02 41 West
speed: 8.8 knots at 9 p.m.
course: 355
 

638 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray

We attracted the attention of a pair of Bermuda Long Tails (birds that spend their time far out a sea) as well as landing our first flying fish (all of 3"). The ocean water continues to be tropically warm, though its color has changed ever so slightly from the deep blue almost purple of the northern Caribbean to a more gray blue: a signal of our move into the open Atlantic.

As we make our way north and keep a weather eye out for what lies ahead, we also keep Bermuda in our sights (about 350 miles north, north-east of our current position (2 days)). Depending on weather developments northwest of the island over the next 3 days, Georgetown Harbor would be an easy lay day (fuel, water, and yes dark and stormies) while we wait out the best weather window.

We continue to tune into Herb (our weatherman from Canada) on the single side band radio every evening at 5:00 to get the most up to date forecasts for several days out.

We'll keep you all posted on our course and whether Bermuda actually becomes a landfall, or serves only as a landmark on our way north.

7PM sun has just set and although it was shrouded in its last minutes by a cloud filled horizon, the horizon ahead looks clear.

Tourists are people who don't know where they've been; Travelers are people
who don't know where they're going. Hmm....

xoxoxo
 

824 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray
169 miles from Bermuda
814 miles from Montauk, Long Island, NY

Quiet day with winds 20ish from the E - hoping for a turn to the SE or S so that we can sail into Bermuda.

Am looking forward to hearing from Herb today as he has said there is a Tropical Storm advisory from the Caribbean and a big Low (that you've seen) from our NW.

Narrative of days events to follow after we hear from Herb.
 

Evening Update from Cpt. Bill and the Crew

Latitude: 30 15 20
Longitude: 66 02 02
Time: 17:30 on Thursday
Seas: 4-6 feet

"Every act of mine seems to have reference to you in some way - indeed I cannot tell or explain - only that you are here & yet not here - & I have felt so ever since you left this morning."

Change only a few of the words of this letter from Deborah Cillery to her husband Jonathan in 1829 and you have the sentiments and feelings of all of us aboard Delphinus toward all of our children, spouses, families and friends that we're making our way home to. We think of you all constantly and find ourselves describing to one another how one of you might enjoy or react to a certain experience or situation on board. Certainly when we are standing the midnight to 3AM or the 3AM to 6AM watch it is thoughts of you all that bring a smile and make the watch go by more quickly - and it is the sharing and catching up of our respective lives and family goings-on that has brought us closer together as a crew.

Delphinus continues to provide excellent accommodations, food and entertainment, to say nothing of her sea going sailing prowess. We've been sailing to weather (into the wind) most of the day pinching as much as we can to keep Bermuda in our sights. With a modest heel angle of about 20 degrees, Delphinus has slipped deftly through the 5-7 foot seas with only an occasional wave reminding us whose really in-charge (usually by soaking the backside of whoever is sitting on the windward side of the cockpit). The heel of the boat has provided for good yoga-like body maneuvers as we navigate from the cockpit through the salon, or, when using the head. It's like a constant round of limboing!! The rigging has brought us the siren sounds that sea farers before us mistook for the song of mermaids. Not to worry none of our crew has yet to be seduced. Delphinus' song is more like that of flutes or bagpipes and often creeps up such that you actually turn your head to see where the man in the kilt came from:) Bill, Anne-Seymour and Willy all tested the ocean water today dangling their feet over the side (no swimming). The water is still warm, but no longer the pleasant balmy warm of the Caribbean. We are definitely getting north and will all most likely be in long-sleeves tonight on watch.

As I write, we have just finished our 5PM call with Canadian Herb from "Southbound II". Herb broadcasts daily to numerous yachts in all parts of the Caribbean and Atlantic making their way to somewhere. He relays weather updates specific to each yacht's specific location and intended course, providing the information as to what lies ahead and enabling good decisions as to which course to follow. The weather northwest of Bermuda (between Bermuda and home) is still unsettled and difficult to predict lending to our decision to keep heading toward Bermuda for a potential lay-day. Arrival in Bermuda should be tomorrow after 2PM (EST), should Herb's report tomorrow, however, provide us with a good weather window for home we'll be in a position to make the right decision. We'll certainly report in as soon as we know our final decision. For those keeping track we've been sailing for
98 hours (as of 5PM today) and have covered 720 miles (the midway point distance-wise of our journey).

Cheers and much love for now and thanks to all who have sent emails with tidbits from home.

XOXO
 

St. Georges, Bermuda

986 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray
692 miles from Montauk, Long Island, NY

I just got a call from Sarah - poor cell phone connection so I couldn't hear much, but the crew of Delphinus is safe and happy in Bermuda!

I think I heard they plan to remain in Bermuda for a few days to let some weather pass, but I'm not sure...

 I also think I heard something about "dark" and "stormy", but I'm not sure if they were referring to the voyage or plans for the evening!

More when I get an update...

- Michael

St. Georges, Bermuda

986 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray
692 miles from Montauk, Long Island, NY

Just like at the airport when you're trying to get somewhere and weather doesn't cooperate, the crew of Delphinus finds itself on the "other side" of the Gulf Stream with some "spunky" weather now and for the next few days.

With "safety first" in mind they're on weather hold until they find a window to head out from their safe harbor and on to New England (rumor has it their next port is likely to be Newport, RI).

Nothing firm right now, but they may have to remain for several days until the fronts and low pressure systems clear, perhaps pushing their departure from Bermuda to mid-week...

Stay tuned...

St. Georges, Bermuda

986 miles from the departure port of Puerto Marina De Ray
692 miles from Montauk, Long Island, NY

Mutiny! Crew Abandon's Ship

The otherwise steady crew of the Delphinus, now confirmed scoundrels and rogues all:

• Anne-Seymour St. John Ellis
• Sarah Enright
• Will Friend

have thrown in the sailing-adventure towel, given into the weather gods, and departed Bermuda on a USA3000.com airplane flight back to New England (ever heard of USA3000 Airline?), leaving the good ship Delphinus unable to depart for fair waters...

Capt. Bill and Commander Deb remain aboard, and are actively recruiting crew for the final leg from Bermuda to Newport, RI.

Forecasts look like a Friday departure is possible, making a triumphant return of Delphinus to the cold New England waters sometime on Monday.

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