Off The Coast of Ballard

Thursday, July 2, 2015

5 SALUTES ARE NOT A COMPLIMENT

5 SALUTES ARE NOT A COMPLIMENT

Last Friday we left Shilshole and crossed the sound. A northbound freighter, a car carrier, was the only traffic to be concerned about, but he was well south and a quick calculation proved we would be well ahead of him with a wide margin of safety.

We crossed the lanes safely and were out of even the southbound lanes when the freighter let loose 5 blasts from her horn. The culprit was a small Camano Trawler also headed North, but right in the shipping lanes. More horn blasts — a long drawn out blast followed by 2 more sets of 5 then the freighter visibly slowed and began a turn to port to avoid collision.

Finally and belatedly the trawler made a dramatic starboard turn and the freighter resumed its course.

The picture was taken a few minutes after the drama occurred, but the story and the pic hold many lessons, not the least of which are know where you are and look aft!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

R2AK: 6 IN KETCHIKAN, 12 TEAMS REMAINING

In the final stretch, after 700 miles, Team MOB Mentality, aboard their Trimaran, edged out the Hobie 33 Team Por Favor, by just 4 minutes. In the true spirit of the race, Team MOB (Wayne, Francis and Angus) split the 8 steak knives and gave 4 of them to team Por Favor. This race has defined classy acts..

Team Free Burd (courtesy of R2AK)

Team Free Burd arrived fourth, becoming the first beach cat and the first 2 person crew to arrive in Ketchikan.

Team Kohara (courtesy R2AK)

Team Kohara arrived 5th at 2352 local time last night (6/16).

Dirk, aboard Un-Cruise, shed his "dry" suit. Reportedly they flew the spinnaker for the first time as well.

Dan Blanchard, daughter Denee and her boyfriend Dirk.

Prior to getting to Ketchikan, Dan on Team Un-Cruise reported they were happy to be out of their damp, rank “dry” suits. Dan also provided an update tipping his hat to the winner Team Elsie Piddock as they encountered each other as the winning team was headed south.

Dan and crew arrived last night (Wednesday night) and received the 'arriving at the most civil time award' -- just before dinner. Dan's 'tribal brother' performed a native american ceremony and the boat was well received on the dock at Ketchikan.

The intrepid rowers aboard the 6 man canoe “Soggy Beavers” are next having paddled the length of Grenville Channel.

Team Mau took an outside route and Team Grin, the Etchells, took an inside route and Roger Mann (Team Discovery) is next, currently in the 10th position.

Speaking of Roger Mann, this update was highlighted by the R2AK team. First, keep in mind that he has 7 grandkids. A recent update: “Pitchpoled my beach landing at Cape Caution and spent the night collecting gear and drying out. Monday met up with Blackfish and good thing because I was still hypothermic. Rafted up with them and got dry, warm, and my second hot meal.”

All of the remaining active teams are now above Seymour Narrows. Team Coastal Express has retired from the race, but did so with humor. The R2AK team dubbed them the first to pull a preemptive Moitessier, a high compliment to the team.

The race is now to finish and against the chase boat setting out on June 25th on the sweep north.

The race tracker can be found here

For full coverage, you can find the R2AK site here