Arrived Safe -Any yachts currently on passage westbound to Marquesas?

[Serica]

We do not consider he is in distress but my cousin Barry Perrins (Youtube aka The Old Seadog https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClI...K7VQ3Rmbojvfyw) is currently on passage from Panama to the Marquesas Islands, in his steel 36 foot Van der Stadt sloop White Shadow.

He is making very, very slow progress. We suspect he has some sail issue and most likely barnacles also slowing his progress. He has been outbound from Panama for 66 days and is currently around 360nm east of the Marquesas. Position yesterday was:
8° 28’ 59” S
133° 53’ 25” W

-8.4832 -133.8904

Only currently making around 2 knts, but remains on course.

Yacht Name White Shadow
MMSI: 235024511
Call Sign: MHFA8
Flag: United Kingdom [GB]
AIS Vessel Type: Sailing Vessel

He does have SSB but suspect may not be functioning, so presume he only has functioning VHF now.

We do not consider he is in distress, but if anyone might be on passage in the area, could they give him a call on VHF over next week or so.

I would appreciate if the knowledgeable ocean voyagers out there might also be able to relay this request to any other distance cruising networks and forums. I can be contacted at webcrew@jeanneau-owners.com



Many thanks

Malcolm Perrins

[belizesailor]

How are you receiving position reports from him?

[sailnautilus]

Dear Malcom,
we met your cousin Barry in Panama and are sharing your concern. I have reached out to several yachts in the Pacific whom I am in touch with, but no one is near his position. Most are much further ahead at this time of year. Please keep us posted as to his progress. Out thoughts are with him for a speedy and safe arrival.
Regards,
Dr. Michele Mautino
SV Nautilus

[Serica]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

How are you receiving position reports from him?

Satellite

[Serica]

Originally Posted by sailnautilus

Dear Malcom,
we met your cousin Barry in Panama and are sharing your concern. I have reached out to several yachts in the Pacific whom I am in touch with, but no one is near his position. Most are much further ahead at this time of year. Please keep us posted as to his progress. Out thoughts are with him for a speedy and safe arrival.
Regards,
Dr. Michele Mautino
SV Nautilus

Many thanks indeed, will keep this forum updated on news.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Serica

Satellite

SPOT, InReach, Satt Phone? I assume he has no 2-way comms ability?

[B23iL23]

Malcolm,
I've been following Barry's progress since he got Shadow and was concerned at the length of time on this passage and the lack of information. I will reach out to whoever I can in that area and see what I can find out. When you say "on course" I take that as he's still in command and not just a drifting boat.


kevin

[Serica]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

SPOT, InReach, Satt Phone? I assume he has no 2-way comms ability?

Thanks for reply, his only 2 way will be VHF, I believe he has an SSB but he has never transmitted on that, so am presuming not operational. I am logging his AIS transponder signals via Satellite.

[Serica]

Originally Posted by B23iL23

Malcolm,
I've been following Barry's progress since he got Shadow and was concerned at the length of time on this passage and the lack of information. I will reach out to whoever I can in that area and see what I can find out. When you say "on course" I take that as he's still in command and not just a drifting boat.


kevin

Thanks Kevin

Appreciate that and any help you can offer. His course and speed have been consistent for a couple of weeks, so certainly hope she is still under command and not drifting, but not sure what wind drift and current speed would might be predicted in those conditions., wind seems to be forecast as generally light easterlies 10 -15 knts in recent days.

We are hopeful that Falmouth Coastguard will try to make contact via a VHF relay from one of the cargo vessels that are in the area.

[B23iL23]

Malcolm,
I called a boat but they are already 600 miles west of the Marquesas. They will make some local calls and see what they can do. There is one ship not far from his last location so hopefully Falmouth can make contact through them.


Let us know if you hear anything.
Fingers crossed.
Kevin

Originally Posted by Serica

Thanks Kevin

Appreciate that and any help you can offer. His course and speed have been consistent for a couple of weeks, so certainly hope she is still under command and not drifting, but not sure what wind drift and current speed would might be predicted in those conditions., wind seems to be forecast as generally light easterlies 10 -15 knts in recent days.

We are hopeful that Falmouth Coastguard will try to make contact via a VHF relay from one of the cargo vessels that are in the area.

[akprb]

66 days, that is brutal. Keep all informed.

[Brewgyver]

Malcolm, I have also been following Barry for a couple of years, and have been checking his social sites almost daily, hoping to see word from him. A LOT of people have been very anxiously awaiting word!

I can't remember, did he ever pick up a watermaker before leaving Panama?

If not, I would consider raising the alert level to likely in distress. On course and steady progress is not as hopeful as one might otherwise tend to think, due to the windvane steering...

[Serica]

Thanks for that, I don't know but personally doubt if he took any type of watermaker. There has been quite a lot of rain in the forecasts, so I would hope but don't know that he would have been successfully collecting water as he did in the Atlantic, if he needed to supplement his water storage. A formal contact is being made with Falmouth coastguard tomorrow. I have not been able to get a satellite fix on his AIS transponder for around 48 hours now.

[belizesailor]

You could report him past due (66 days certainly counts!) and see if SAR resources can put out notice to shipping traffic to be on watch for him. Im not sure who appropriate authorities are in this case.

Does he have an EPIRB or similar that he might set off if he were in trouble?

Do you have access to SSB/HAM? If so, you could try nets in the area or someone here could relay.

[Serica]

I am becoming increasingly concerned about my the solo passage of my cousin Barry Perrins from Panama to the Marquesas in his 36' White Shadow, which is now approaching 70 days without voice contact.

There is an existing thread with more information under this "Emergency, Disaster and Distress" thread at:

Any yachts currently on passage westbound to Marquesas? - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

If you have any knowledge of possible yachts in the vicinity please post on the above thread to avoid this becoming a duplicate

kind regards and thanks in anticipation of any constructive input

Malcolm Perrins