MISSING S.Y. ORA DEL IN THE PACIFIC

[barnakiel]

I will post to a friend who is going to the Marquesas right now. Just in case.

b.

[rebel heart]

I'm in La Paz right now, I'll ask on the vhf net tomorrow morning if anyone's heard of them.

[sinbad7]

Here´s some more details about the start of the trip plus some estimations.

He was originally heading for Fanning island,a coral reef mid-way across the Pacific,but owing to his delayed departure he was afraid the weather pattern would be against him so he said he MIGHT go further South. At an average 4 kn he could have been there on the 21 May,and if he did not stop there,could today 03 June be in pos. 000° S 000° W. Anyway,that´s just guesswork.

He had a long stop on the way repairing his wind rudder which just dropped off.

The circular,numbered Wpts comes from his SPOT unit.

Tore

[rubyjean]

Tore, I checked sailing weather for their area, They may be caught in the parking lot, not much air out there, 5-10 knts for days now.. this is not uncommon at the equater. Yet's hope for the best...Michael..

[armido]

It is farther than to Fanning Island than to the Marquesas. The average times for all vessels to the Marquesas from Mexico is 32 days.

No further comment or speculation.

armido

[Greg4cocokai]

We spent a month at Fanning a couple yrs ago, not much for communications. A local cruiser "Chuck" had a Sailmail account. He'd been there since 1994! I'll get his email when I get to the boat today.

I would think they would stop at Christmas Is. first, 150 nms to the east. could get provisions, fuel or fix radio problems. Airport there.

If you sail too far below the trades, it could be slow going, even with the 1+ kt west current. Lets hope all is well!

[carobbean]

Did Rolf used to run a charter company at Maya Cove in the BVI? Word is out about your missing friend and they are trying to figure out if this is the same person

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by armido

It is farther than to Fanning Island than to the Marquesas. The average times for all vessels to the Marquesas from Mexico is 32 days.

No further comment or speculation.

armido

Can't believe that average time Mexico to Marquesas. We've done the passage twice in our previous 36 foot boat: 19 and 21 days. Just us two on board, not pushing too hard.

Cheers,

Jim

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by sinbad7

Here´s some more details about the start of the trip plus some estimations.

He was originally heading for Fanning island,a coral reef mid-way across the Pacific,but owing to his delayed departure he was afraid the weather pattern would be against him so he said he MIGHT go further South. At an average 4 kn he could have been there on the 21 May,and if he did not stop there,could today 03 June be in pos. 000° S 000° W. Anyway,that´s just guesswork.

He had a long stop on the way repairing his wind rudder which just dropped off.

The circular,numbered Wpts comes from his SPOT unit.

Tore

Tore, you might want to check that Jun 03 estimate, for 000S by 000W is off the west coast of Africa, not in the Pacific!

Cheers,

Jim

[Custom30]

SSB radios die all the time. Age, lightning, etc.. Homemade solar panels, and the best store bought ones die too, and electrical systems fry sometimes.

Unless they are qualified to repair, or carry a spare, it has to be considered as a strong possibility for an explanation.


'

[mbianka]

Did they carry an EPIRB on board? If so and it has not been activated that should be a hopeful sign they are still ok just out of communication range for other equipment.

[sinbad7]

Jim.. Sorry,I stand corrected... I meant of course 175° W or so.....

Even if all his electronics and batteries packed up,you´d think he would have called at some island during the 32 days sail to make repairs and send a message to his family? But,he may also have gone too far South where the wind is scarce.

As can be seen of the photos I posted in the link,he had a solar panel high up aft and he had also fitted two small 4 amp mini solar panels to his SPOT Messenger.

I do´nt know if he had an EPIRB,probably did,but he had a brand new rubber dinghy he was proud of.

As far as I know he never did any charterwork in the Caribbean.

Tore

[rebel heart]

Tore;

Just curiously, but you're two for two in making threads about overdue yachts. Do you know these people personally or are you just keeping a tab on anyone who's going missing?

[sinbad7]

rebel heart...

Do YOU only rescue people you KNOW?

As a matter of fact Rolf on s.y. Ora Del is a friend of mine and one of the
crew on board the s.y. Lady Domina comes from my home town in Norway.

Besides,as a Norwegian seaman,I help rescue any creed,color,man,woman or foe.

Does that answer your question?

Tore

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Tore;

Just curiously, but you're two for two in making threads about overdue yachts. Do you know these people personally or are you just keeping a tab on anyone who's going missing?

Well, actually, I was goin' to ask the same question