Contrary to what I used to believe the open ocean can be an intensely tranquil place. Less than 270 miles to Bermuda and the wind has died, becalmed as it were. But for the low drone of the diesel below decks the boat is very peaceful at the moment. A gentle swell rocks us slowly back and forth as it passes under us abeam, a gentle sway lulling us into a sleepy reverie.
The sun sits high overhead beating down with a light breeze to break the stifling heat. Still no fish to be had. We wait in quiet anticipation of the quick whine of line unfurling furiously from the reel, a sure sign fresh fish to dine upon.
The First Mate and I have been taking Sun sightings with a sextant and plotting our course over the open ocean, after all what would you do if all the power went down...
Fabulous beef stew for dinner last evening followed by breakfast wraps of egg and cheese with turkey bacon accompanied by fresh fruit salad of island pineapple, mango and bananas. Life at sea is not such a hardship at times, in fact it is downright beautiful. The solitude and silence is astounding.
Showered this morning for the first time in 3 days and even enjoyed hot water! Easier said than done as waiting for calm conditions is paramount to surviving a shower without being tossed about like so much loose cargo. Do you take your daily bathing ritual for granted? :-).
Expecting to arrive in Bermuda sometime during the day on Tuesday to take on fuel and provisions. After that is anyone’s guess as to our departure; there is a system coming up the coast which threatens to keep us sheltered up in shore waiting for a break in the weather. A fresh forecast in 2 days time will reveal more.
May 1st!!! A third of the year passed already. So looking forward to arriving back in Maine in time for the summer season, trees full of life and flowers blooming. A forward report tells me the magnolias are blooming.
Will be full busy catching up with family and friends after a warm season away in the tropics, can’t wait to see you all!!
Have a wonderful day!
from
27 degrees 42.64 minutes North
063 degrees 58.79 minutes West
JD Paine
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
En route to Bermuda - halfway there!
We’ve been underway for just over 2 days now (49.5 hours) and making great progress having covered 446.4 nautical miles (1 nautical mile = 1.15 statute miles) of the 924 NM to Bermuda. Averaging over 9 knots, this boat moves!! Steady wind on the beam.
Sailing Vessel Bequia, as she is known, is a 90 ft, custom yawl built by Brooklin Boatyard in Maine in 2009. You can check out a virtual tour of the boat by Googling “Bequia Yawl Brooklin Maine” which should give you any number of links including a below decks photo tour.
It is a true pleasure and honor to be sailing aboard such a beautiful sailboat. She glides effortlessly through the waves and chop chewing up the miles like a thoroughbred. This is not to say however that she doesn’t buck over some of the larger swell we encountered on departure.
I spent the initial 24 hours feeling somewhat nauseous culminating in feeding the fish the following morning, after which I felt a whole lot better. Appetite has returned!
One of our crew has a “SPOT” personal locator lashed to the lifelines and website where you can track our progress real time at www.threepointfix.com Check it out to see where we are at today.
Fabulous night skies with the North Star dead ahead, Orion to the west, The Southern Cross trailing us and accompanied by the crescent moon and Venus on the morning horizon to the east. Truly spectacular!
We’ve set a line in hopes of sashimi for lunch or dinner today. Trolling for Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish – stunningly beautiful), tuna, or Wahoo. Yum yum!!
Stay tuned!
Seafarer JD Paine
Sailing Vessel Bequia, as she is known, is a 90 ft, custom yawl built by Brooklin Boatyard in Maine in 2009. You can check out a virtual tour of the boat by Googling “Bequia Yawl Brooklin Maine” which should give you any number of links including a below decks photo tour.
It is a true pleasure and honor to be sailing aboard such a beautiful sailboat. She glides effortlessly through the waves and chop chewing up the miles like a thoroughbred. This is not to say however that she doesn’t buck over some of the larger swell we encountered on departure.
I spent the initial 24 hours feeling somewhat nauseous culminating in feeding the fish the following morning, after which I felt a whole lot better. Appetite has returned!
One of our crew has a “SPOT” personal locator lashed to the lifelines and website where you can track our progress real time at www.threepointfix.com Check it out to see where we are at today.
Fabulous night skies with the North Star dead ahead, Orion to the west, The Southern Cross trailing us and accompanied by the crescent moon and Venus on the morning horizon to the east. Truly spectacular!
We’ve set a line in hopes of sashimi for lunch or dinner today. Trolling for Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish – stunningly beautiful), tuna, or Wahoo. Yum yum!!
Stay tuned!
Seafarer JD Paine
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Gut Check - The Chronicles
From: Fred Malloy
To: "jonathanpaine@yahoo.com" <jonathanpaine@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, January 19, 2011 3:30:26 PM
Subject: Paine, you want to row across the atlantic??
The above email header is how I came to learn about ocean rowing for the first time, 12 days before I was actually to set out on a 2598 mile journey across the North Atlantic in a 40 foot ocean rowing vessel.
Paine, you want to row across the atlantic??
Do I want to row across the Atlantic?!... This question had never entered my consciousness before in my entire life, ever. I am now one of only 37 Americans in history to have ever rowed across an ocean.
Certain decisions, at important junctures in our lives, reveal a moment of truth, a test of character, whereby, if we are lucky, we learn about ourselves and who we really are. Call it a 'gut check' if you will.
Fred's email evoked that very response, my own personal gut check. It wasn't a matter of whether I wanted to row across the Atlantic as much as I knew I was facing a decision which would inevitably alter the course of my life. Truth be told, as soon as I read the subject line my being was crackling with intense awareness, an adrenaline dump that signaled I was on the verge of one of those big decisions, and the elicited response, fight or flight. What happens if I commrit, or worse, what happens if I don't. Pointless discussion however, I already knew I was going to row across the Atlantic.
Courage, I am told, is not the lack of fear, rather it is acting in spite of it.
I had all the excuse I needed to let it slip away. I was after all, currently enrolled in a yachting course to qualify me as a boat skipper in international waters. The first half of the course had just drawn to a close and the on-the-water practical application of the theory we had learned to begin the following day. Perfect. No action needed.
'Not likely...'!? - whatever
And for those of you who know "Never say die Malloy"
"Hey ping those Atlantic rowers--maybe they get delayed again! Or maybe if you tell them your resume they'll make you an offer you can't refuse!"
Sometimes we need a gentle, or firm, shove to get us rolling in the direction we know we should be heading. After some thought and the decision to go for it I drafted a summary of my qualifications in the following email, a summary of who I am as a rower, and also in some sense who I am as a person, often identifying myself as member of that rare breed, Rowers.
My email:
"I just received the below email regarding your record Atlantic Row Crossing Attempt and I would loooove to join you!!!!!
Here is why I am qualified for this challenge:
1) Dartmouth Heavyweight Crew 1992 - Great Eight (Voted Top US Men's Collegiate Heavyweight Crew); #1 Eastern Sprints, #1 IRAs, #2 (by 2") Nationals
2) Rowed in Henley Royal Regatta 1992
3) Rowed in 4s at Belmont Hill School (high school 1986-1989)
4) Silver Medal - Men's Alumni 8 event - Head of the Charles Regatta 2010 (3 months ago).
Our 1992 "Great 8" boat (same 8 rowers + cox + coach) committed over a year ago to train for the 2010 Head of the Charles. As a result we (18 years later) matched our college rowing weights and exceeded our college rowing fitness. The week following the Head I pulled a 8606m 30 min piece (1:44.5 splits). I am fit.
5) Earlier in the year I pulled a half marathon (1h21min54 sec)
6) Rowed 624,000 meters to date in the past year (logged on concept II website). Not all pieces logged so perhaps 20-30% more.
7) Participated in Guinness Book World Records "Million Meter Erg" record while at Dartmouth still stands I believe.
8) I move boats well - I am 6'7" tall, 215lbs, and built for rowing.
9) I have been on the water my whole life - sunfish, sailfish, whitewater rafting guide, kayak, windsurfer, USCG 50 ton inspected passenger vessel (captain's) license, Registered Maine Guide (Boating, Kayaking, Recreational)
10) Wilderness First Aid certified (Spring 2010)
11) STCW '95 certified - January 2011 - Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. Modules in Firefighting, Personal Survival Techniques (Liferaft deployment), First Aid, Personal and Social Responsibility).
12) Love and respect for the Ocean
13) Non-drinker/non-smoker
14) I could use a new challenge to push my personal limitations in a group dynamic.
Dec 26th 2009 I fractured my pelvis in a car acident - I trained for and participated in my first sprint triathlon in June 2010 and competed in the Head of the Charles 2010 (Silver Medal) in better shape at 39 years old than in college.
15) To row across the Atlantic is an epic and once in a lifetime opportunity!!!! A worthy lifetime endeavor and I can't think of anything I'd rather do
16) I have the time and inclination
17) I have been on land for over a month now and am crawling out of my skin for an opportunity to get back on the high seas
18) Blue Water experience - yacht delivery from Maine to Bermuda Nov 2010 - 725 nm, Bermuda to Nevis Island (St Kitts/Nevis) 925 nm.
19) I was made and born for a challenge like this
20) I seek to push limits and strive to be out of my comfort zone - this concept scares the bejeezus out of me, but is equally compelling.
They accepted, and I committed.
I arranged with my instructor to delay completion of the course, booked a flight for the following evening and found myself arriving in The Canary Islands Saturday afternoon for a Sunday morning departure.
I found myself on location and preparing for an ocean crossing in a matter of days.
I am now back in Antigua, just over a month after completing the cross Atlantic rowing challenge and more or less fully recovered. I learned some important lessons and made some decisions about my life's direction on that row. I will be sharing these with you in the coming weeks.
In the meantime I have finally finished my Yacht Master course and am now a licensed MCA/RYA (British/international qualification) Yacht Master!!!
I will be joining the ketch Bequia on Thursday for a 10 day delivery via Bermuda to Newport RI. I may return to Antigua for another yacht delivery or just head north to Maine. Miss the family and looking forward to catching up with friends too.
More to come.
Cheers.
Jonathan
To: "jonathanpaine@yahoo.com" <jonathanpaine@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, January 19, 2011 3:30:26 PM
Subject: Paine, you want to row across the atlantic??
The above email header is how I came to learn about ocean rowing for the first time, 12 days before I was actually to set out on a 2598 mile journey across the North Atlantic in a 40 foot ocean rowing vessel.
Paine, you want to row across the atlantic??
Do I want to row across the Atlantic?!... This question had never entered my consciousness before in my entire life, ever. I am now one of only 37 Americans in history to have ever rowed across an ocean.
Certain decisions, at important junctures in our lives, reveal a moment of truth, a test of character, whereby, if we are lucky, we learn about ourselves and who we really are. Call it a 'gut check' if you will.
Fred's email evoked that very response, my own personal gut check. It wasn't a matter of whether I wanted to row across the Atlantic as much as I knew I was facing a decision which would inevitably alter the course of my life. Truth be told, as soon as I read the subject line my being was crackling with intense awareness, an adrenaline dump that signaled I was on the verge of one of those big decisions, and the elicited response, fight or flight. What happens if I commrit, or worse, what happens if I don't. Pointless discussion however, I already knew I was going to row across the Atlantic.
Courage, I am told, is not the lack of fear, rather it is acting in spite of it.
I had all the excuse I needed to let it slip away. I was after all, currently enrolled in a yachting course to qualify me as a boat skipper in international waters. The first half of the course had just drawn to a close and the on-the-water practical application of the theory we had learned to begin the following day. Perfect. No action needed.
Thanks Fred,
Would love to but alas I am right in the middle of my YachtMaster course, theory finished today and practical starts on Friday - ends Tuesday then 2 days of exams. Keep your eyes out though. Finishing spot would have me right back here in the Caribbean...
I'll think about it but not likely. Would delay my course by 30 days but...
Cheers,
'Not likely...'!? - whatever
And for those of you who know "Never say die Malloy"
"Hey ping those Atlantic rowers--maybe they get delayed again! Or maybe if you tell them your resume they'll make you an offer you can't refuse!"
Sometimes we need a gentle, or firm, shove to get us rolling in the direction we know we should be heading. After some thought and the decision to go for it I drafted a summary of my qualifications in the following email, a summary of who I am as a rower, and also in some sense who I am as a person, often identifying myself as member of that rare breed, Rowers.
My email:
"I just received the below email regarding your record Atlantic Row Crossing Attempt and I would loooove to join you!!!!!
Here is why I am qualified for this challenge:
1) Dartmouth Heavyweight Crew 1992 - Great Eight (Voted Top US Men's Collegiate Heavyweight Crew); #1 Eastern Sprints, #1 IRAs, #2 (by 2") Nationals
2) Rowed in Henley Royal Regatta 1992
3) Rowed in 4s at Belmont Hill School (high school 1986-1989)
4) Silver Medal - Men's Alumni 8 event - Head of the Charles Regatta 2010 (3 months ago).
Our 1992 "Great 8" boat (same 8 rowers + cox + coach) committed over a year ago to train for the 2010 Head of the Charles. As a result we (18 years later) matched our college rowing weights and exceeded our college rowing fitness. The week following the Head I pulled a 8606m 30 min piece (1:44.5 splits). I am fit.
5) Earlier in the year I pulled a half marathon (1h21min54 sec)
6) Rowed 624,000 meters to date in the past year (logged on concept II website). Not all pieces logged so perhaps 20-30% more.
7) Participated in Guinness Book World Records "Million Meter Erg" record while at Dartmouth still stands I believe.
8) I move boats well - I am 6'7" tall, 215lbs, and built for rowing.
9) I have been on the water my whole life - sunfish, sailfish, whitewater rafting guide, kayak, windsurfer, USCG 50 ton inspected passenger vessel (captain's) license, Registered Maine Guide (Boating, Kayaking, Recreational)
10) Wilderness First Aid certified (Spring 2010)
11) STCW '95 certified - January 2011 - Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. Modules in Firefighting, Personal Survival Techniques (Liferaft deployment), First Aid, Personal and Social Responsibility).
12) Love and respect for the Ocean
13) Non-drinker/non-smoker
14) I could use a new challenge to push my personal limitations in a group dynamic.
Dec 26th 2009 I fractured my pelvis in a car acident - I trained for and participated in my first sprint triathlon in June 2010 and competed in the Head of the Charles 2010 (Silver Medal) in better shape at 39 years old than in college.
15) To row across the Atlantic is an epic and once in a lifetime opportunity!!!! A worthy lifetime endeavor and I can't think of anything I'd rather do
16) I have the time and inclination
17) I have been on land for over a month now and am crawling out of my skin for an opportunity to get back on the high seas
18) Blue Water experience - yacht delivery from Maine to Bermuda Nov 2010 - 725 nm, Bermuda to Nevis Island (St Kitts/Nevis) 925 nm.
19) I was made and born for a challenge like this
20) I seek to push limits and strive to be out of my comfort zone - this concept scares the bejeezus out of me, but is equally compelling.
They accepted, and I committed.
I arranged with my instructor to delay completion of the course, booked a flight for the following evening and found myself arriving in The Canary Islands Saturday afternoon for a Sunday morning departure.
I found myself on location and preparing for an ocean crossing in a matter of days.
I am now back in Antigua, just over a month after completing the cross Atlantic rowing challenge and more or less fully recovered. I learned some important lessons and made some decisions about my life's direction on that row. I will be sharing these with you in the coming weeks.
In the meantime I have finally finished my Yacht Master course and am now a licensed MCA/RYA (British/international qualification) Yacht Master!!!
I will be joining the ketch Bequia on Thursday for a 10 day delivery via Bermuda to Newport RI. I may return to Antigua for another yacht delivery or just head north to Maine. Miss the family and looking forward to catching up with friends too.
More to come.
Cheers.
Jonathan
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
42 days at sea - back on dry land...
Dear All,
First of all I would like to extend sincere words of appreciation for your support over the past weeks. I am overwhelmed by how many followed the journey and offered words of encouragement. In trying times those very words buoyed me up and kept my spirits high.
A week has passed since landfall and I apologize for lack of quicker updates however I am only just starting to feel normal once again after several days of 18 hour sleeps and substantial amounts of nourishment. Walking, something most of us take for granted, proved a great ordeal for the first 4-5 days back on land.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon basking in the sun, eating and swimming with the turtles here in Barbados. Normalcy returns.
I have been gathering my thoughts and revelations and will be posting at greater length in the coming days along with photos of our epic journey. I look forward to sharing as much as I can with you about every aspect of what I experienced along the 2598 miles at sea. Wonderful highs and depths of abyss to test the mettle of any soul.
I would also like to thank everyone for your generous contributions toward the fundraising efforts. You have exceeded my expectations and I am humbled by your interest and support.
A truly fabulous experience. Thank you!
Big hugs!
Jonathan
First of all I would like to extend sincere words of appreciation for your support over the past weeks. I am overwhelmed by how many followed the journey and offered words of encouragement. In trying times those very words buoyed me up and kept my spirits high.
A week has passed since landfall and I apologize for lack of quicker updates however I am only just starting to feel normal once again after several days of 18 hour sleeps and substantial amounts of nourishment. Walking, something most of us take for granted, proved a great ordeal for the first 4-5 days back on land.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon basking in the sun, eating and swimming with the turtles here in Barbados. Normalcy returns.
I have been gathering my thoughts and revelations and will be posting at greater length in the coming days along with photos of our epic journey. I look forward to sharing as much as I can with you about every aspect of what I experienced along the 2598 miles at sea. Wonderful highs and depths of abyss to test the mettle of any soul.
I would also like to thank everyone for your generous contributions toward the fundraising efforts. You have exceeded my expectations and I am humbled by your interest and support.
A truly fabulous experience. Thank you!
Big hugs!
Jonathan
Monday, March 14, 2011
Land! Land! Land
Just got a call from Jon via satellite phone, 12 miles from Barbados, and about 2500 miles from the Canary Islands. He is going to land around midnight tonight!
He's in good spirits and planning on tackling a great lake instead of an ocean next time he wants an big workout.
His mom is waiting on the island, hopefully looking for Ben and Jerrys.
Congrats here:
jonathanpaine@yahoo.com
Donate here:
https://sites.google.com/site/friendsofdrowing/alumni/belvia
Track progress here:
www.woodvale-works.com
W O W!!!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Half Way
Jonathan is more than half way through his row across the Atlantic Ocean, and almost halfway to his fundraising goal. For updates on fundraising to date and to donate, visit http://www.dartmouthrowing.org/alumni/belvia.
Awesome job Jon! I'm tracking you from my cubicle.
Alex '06
Monday, February 14, 2011
BRITANNIA III - MESSAGES
Dear Families,
Just a reminder that the crew don’t get your messages on the website (they will receive them all as a printed book for memories after the row). If you wish to send a message directly to your loved one please follow the instructions below:
Text messaging to a satellite phone is free of charge. http://messaging.iridium.com/ is the website to use for sending a satellite text message.
· Open the website above, the numbers 8816 should already be in there. Keep these numbers in (re-type them if you have to) and add 31589491
· Put your initials in the REPLY EMAIL box
· Type your message (bearing in mind that you are limited to 160 characters). Text speak works well (i.e. you = u, and = +)
· Hit SEND MESSAGE
Please do not share the satellite phone number with too many people. The primary reason for having the satellite phone on board is for emergencies. When the phone is turned on it must download all messages before a call out can be made. On the other hand, the crew would like to hear from their families a bit more…! Please also bear in mind that the crew aren’t able to reply to text messages – if you need to speak to them urgently please phone me in the first instance.
On another note, I should be receiving an approximate arrival date this week so I will inform you as soon as I have it, along with some recommended accommodation in Barbados.
Kind regards
Kate
Kate Battes
Events Director
Woodvale Ocean Ltd
Marquis House | 2, North Street | Winchcombe | Gloucestershire | GL54 5LH
01242 602939 | 07864 288609 | www.woodvale-challenge.com
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