U.S. may intervene to free captive cruisers. Crew members identified.

After hearing of the taking of The Quest with Jean & Scott Adam and two crew, fellow cruisers and SSCA Commodores Nancy & Burger Zapf (Halekai, currently in Phuket) wrote to say:

“We first met Jean and Scott in Suwarrow (Cook Islands) in 2005 and met up with them again in Fiji and Vanuatu 2 years ago. Thought you’d be interested to read the attached…They had been sailing with the Blue Water Rally.

Scott and Jean Adam joined the Oz-Med section of the Blue Water Rally just before Christmas and had been sailing with the Rally from Phuket as far as Mumbai. Quest had taken on two well-known rally participants: Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle. However, she chose to take an independent route from Mumbai to Salalah, leaving the Rally on 15 February. All information is now being handled by the US Central Command and their spokesman in Dubai.”

Bob Riggle from S/V Gaia

So now we have the identity of the two other crew members onboard The Quest.

According to an article in today’s LA Times, “U.S. Military officials said they are considering a response after reports that pirates off the coast of Somalia hijacked a yacht belonging to an Orange County, Calif., couple on a worldwide voyage distributing Bibles.

Rear Adm. Charles Gaouette, deputy commander of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, told CNN on Saturday that the U.S. is prepared to intervene to rescue the couple if they are indeed aboard the boat.”

French Commandos have previously rescued the crews of two French vessels that were hijacked, by military intervention. In the second of these, the rescue of the yacht Tanit in April 2009, the skipper Florent Lemacon was killed by friendly fire, while his widow Chloe and small son Colin were rescued.

Phyllis MacKay of S/V Gaia

No military attempts to rescue yacht crews by this method have been made since. Later in 2009 British cruising sailors Rachel and Paul Chandler were captured and held in captivity for over a year before a ransom was paid and they were released. The British Navy watched the hijacking at sea, but held fire for fear of hitting the Chandlers.

Piracy has flourished off Somalia’s coast for two decades. Cruisers are having to make serious decisions about whether or not to voyage into pirate-infested waters.

Zapf wrote, “The Thailand to Turkey convoy (TTT) of 30 yachts was just disbanded in the Maldives last week due to piracy fears. Some of those yachts have left for Oman, others are returning to Thailand/Malaysia. Still others are shipping with Sevenstar to Marmaris in March.”

Our prayers go out to the Adams’ and their families during this horrendous time. Let’s pray that the U.S. Military will defend it’s citizens abroad better than the U.K. did for the Chandlers.

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Somali Pirates Take Another Cruising Yacht With Four Americans Onboard

S/V Quest. Photo courtesy of svquest.com

Jean and Scott Adam, cruising on the sailing vessel Quest, a Davidson 58 Pilot House Sloop, are an American couple from Southern California who have been sailing the globe for the past six years.  Their cruising website states that The Quest started an “around-the-world” trip in mid December of 2004 after sailing her to the States from New Zealand in 2002. They were on a “Bible Mission,” bring bibles to out-of-the-way places around the globe.

Cruisers Scott & Jean Adam. Photo from svquest.com

According to an article today on the New York Times Online, the couple’s yacht was “attacked on Friday several hundred miles off the coast of Oman, the American military said. There has been no radio contact with the Americans since they put out an S O S, officials said. It is a strikingly similar case to that of Paul and Rachel Chandler, sailors from a London suburb seeking adventure in similar waters in 2009. Their boat was hijacked by Somali gunmen, who held them for more than a year.”

UpDate: Saturday night…Both ABC and NBC included this story on their national nightly news broadcasts tonight, making this the most covered cruiser abduction yet. Let’s pray that all that coverage will lead to their safe return.

Also, according to Lifetime SSCA Commodore, Ginny Filiatrault, the Adams’ are SSCA members and Commodores.

We’ll stay tuned to bring you the latest as it becomes available.

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Sailing Women are Invited to Join the Fun & Excitement in St. Thomas, March 2011

Escape the winter blahs and join the fun and excitement of participating with an all-woman crew
in beautiful St. Thomas, USVI, March 2011

Sausalito, California – October 7, 2010 – Safe Passage Sailing, LLC invites you to “sail with the best” in a world class regatta with world class skipper and mentor Suzette Smith, leading an all women’s crew. This will be an experience not to be missed!

Whether it’s the adventure of cruising or the excitement of racing, there’s no place like being on a Safe Passage Sailing Charter. If you’re an intermediate to advanced female sailor, now you have the opportunity to join in on all the fun of the 38th International Rolex Regatta. The only requirement – Just The Desire To Be Part of the Team, Race and Have Fun!

The St. Thomas Yacht Club and title sponsor Rolex are the hosts for this regatta known as the “Crown Jewel” of Caribbean racing that boasts “reliable breezes, warm azure waters and world-renowned Island hospitality.”

SPS Program includes:
• Exclusive charter of a Swan 51’ – Northern Child
• 2 race training days, lay day, 3 race days
• Racing pro (Suzette Smith), licensed skipper, 1st mate and additional racing support crew (see below)
• All race registration/entry fees
• All berthing fees, fuel, on/off shore maintenance support
• Race equipment including spinnakers
• Breakfast at the St. Thomas YC on race days
• Lunch, snacks and beverages each day on the boat
• SPS stow bag with shirts, hats, and other gifts for each guest
• Event management
• Event and crew photographs
• Transportation will be provided/arranged from/to airport, marina to YC parties

Program Cost: $3275 per person
Participants: 11 maximum
Register now to ensure your spot. Accommodations and airfare not included. Group hotel accommodations and transportation options TBA.

 

 

Racing Pro Suzette Smith International Racing and Cruising Specialist will be onboard Northern Child in the role as coach/mentor. Suzette Smith is a seasoned licensed charter captain with a USCG Masters 100 ton and ASA certified instructor on boats 38’-70’+. In 2006 she was named ASA’s “Outstanding National Instructor of the Year.”

Ms Smith has participated in numerous high caliber sailing campaigns such as Team Pegasus, the first and only all-woman America’s Cup team, America 3, which raced in the 1995 America‘s Cup defenders series, as well as other notable regattas around the world.

Additional Crew:
RYA licensed Skipper/Owner Christian Reynolds and First Mate Lucy Jones will be onboard to assist and facilitate during the regatta.

SPS Rolex Regatta Itinerary
Arrive – Monday, March 21
SPS welcome reception at the St. Thomas Yacht Club to meet your mentor and crew, and enjoy beer, wine and Hors d’oeuvres.
Tuesday – March 22
Training day 1
Wednesday – March 23
Training day 2
Thursday – March 24
Lay day, Rolex welcome reception at the Yacht Club
Friday – March 25
Race day 1 – Harbor Race. The morning course offers a downwind start and stretches to Charlotte Amalie Harbor, giving racers an opportunity to see St. Thomas’ beautiful and historic capital. The afternoon race starts in town and finishes back at the yacht club and festivities.
Saturday – March 26
Race day 2 – St. John Race. Round-the-rocks racing takes you along the south shore of beautiful St. John finishes back at the yacht club and festivities.
Sunday – March 27
Race day 3 – Pillsbury Sound Race. The final day’s racing takes place on scenic Pillsbury Sound, in and around the beautiful Cays.
The Rolex Awards Ceremony takes place on the beach Sunday evening highlighted by the presentation of an abundance of prizes and video by t2p.tv.

 

The S/Y Norther Child

 

About Northern Child
Northern Child was built in 1984 for an Italian owner, who has since become the owner of Nautor Swan. She is one of naval architect German Frers’ outstanding all-round designs and shares the same performance pedigree of Blizzard, a famous 51’ Admiral’s Cup racer, except that Northern Child was also fitted with a lavish cruising interior and the hull sections were enlarged to accommodate the increase in displacement. Fast and easy to sail, Northern Child is a fine balance between a racing and cruising yacht.

Racing Resume
• Northern Child recently recorded her fastest transatlantic crossing during ARC 2009 and was placed 5th in class
• Placed 12th out of 50 in JP Morgan Round the Island Race 2010
• Top Swan Yacht in the BVI Spring Regatta 2008
• 3rd in class & highest placed Swan Yacht in ASW 2009
• 1st in class and second overall on the ARC 2008
• Swan Transatlantic Challenge Trophy

For more information regarding SPS “Sailing with the Best” events, or to register for this event, please visit our website at www.safepassagesailing.com. Please feel free to call or e-mail SPS for more information:
Randee Fowler
Safe Passage Sailing
415/381-4773 direct
415/637-4051 mobile
rfowler@safepassagesailing.com

You can download our Press Release HERE!

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A New Way to Locate Boat Shows Around the World – iBoatShows, iPhone App Available Now!

Finally there’s an App For That! iBoatShows™ delivers boat show information on iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

Sept. 30, 2010 – iTapTouch, LLC, a mobile applications development company, announced that their first app – iBoatShows™ — has been approved and is now available in the Apple App Store. The application was designed in response to the growing demand for key information on boat shows and other marine-industry events. iBoatShows, available today as a free download at the Apple App Store or through the company website, www.iboatshows.com, helps boaters locate a show near them or anywhere in the world. The app also features a quick-search function allowing users to discover what each show or event has to offer and obtain tickets. The app also includes an “Extras” section that allows users to take advantage of special offers by exhibitors, or access social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to tell others about what they’ve found.

The application is the first of several planned applications by iTapTouch, including iBoatShows Custom®, which will focus on individual shows, allowing boaters access to detailed, real-time show information. Customized for any and all shows that want to offer a personalized, dynamic, multi-faceted solution, the apps will provide attendees with convenient mobile access to expo, destination, and exhibitor/vendor information, as well as promotions and sales. iBoatShows Custom will be rolled out later this year.

iTapTouch is the first mobile-only company to join with the Mad Mariner Network, which now includes nine websites, DIY Boat Owner magazine, and the largest social network in the marine industry. iBoatShows for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch will expand Mad Mariner’s ability to connect advertisers with an audience of enthusiastic boaters.

About iTapTouch, LLC

iTapTouch, LLC is a privately held, woman-owned company formed expressly to develop mobile applications for the marine industry. iTapTouch, LLC is owned and managed by Nancy Birnbaum, a long-time boater, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Captain, and writer/editor in the marine industry. More information about iBoatShows can be found at www.iboatshows.com. iBoatShows can be downloaded at the Apple App Store.

Contact: Nancy Birnbaum

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Small boat to Tall Ship: How I made the transition.

When the assignment presented itself, I said, “sure, okay!”

Royal Clipper Med Cruise

Well, somebody had to do it. I mean the Star Clipper Line, an advertiser for years, had repeated asked for someone to come and take a sail on one of their ships. I was available and made one of the most difficult decisions on my life: Which itinerary? The South Pacific, Thailand or The Med? After much deliberation, I chose a 10-day sail from Venice to Rome with stops in Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Sicily and Italy finest.

After spending five+ years living full-time on a 35-foot sailboat (a Good-old boat), I thought I had earned to right to sail on the largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world. I had paid my dues cooking in a galley the size of most people’s sink and showering in the cockpit with our solar shower. Our cruise was more in the “camping on the water” range rather than the “luxury voyage” end.

Royal Clipper under sail

As a freelance travel writer, I am a member of a great online networking site for journalists. MediaKitty posted a “Media Trip” from the PR firm that handles the Star Clippers. I contacted them and discovered that they had been trying to get someone from the Magazine to take a cruise. Since I am only working part-time for the moment, I guess I had the time available. So with an assignment letter from the Publisher, I set it up. My first mate had to go too. This was one FAM trip that I just couldn’t do without him. So we paid for his airfare, excursions and a few extras and off we went!

The Royal Clipper

Compared to SAGA, our trusty little Alberg 35 that took us from Northern California to Florida, The Royal Clipper is well…magnificent! But, truth be told, there really is no comparing the two.

Saga haulout

Aboard SAGA, I’d be happy to get a few hours of shut-eye if the seas were up. (And by “up,” I mean 4-6! SAGA had very low freeboard). Happy to grab a granola bar for some much-needed nourishment when it was rough since cooking down below wasn’t even an option. Showers were courtesy of the handy solar-shower bag and done in the cockpit surrounded by mesh sunshades or beach towels, if nosy boaters were nearby. Life at 15 degrees heel on a skinny boat can be tiresome. My waning nostalgia for those days evaporated the first moment I walked along the top deck watching those huge sails unfurl on the Royal Clipper was we set sail from Venice, passing St. Marks Square and the thousands of tourists snapping photos of us.

Read my entire article, “Cruising The Med in Style Aboard The Royal Clipper” in the December issue of Blue Water Sailing Magazine. Subscribe online at www.bwsailing.com or pick one up at your local West Marine Store.

 

 

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Finally! My Blog sets sail!

A little history…

Growing up sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, I often got the “best” spot on the bow as rail meat! Under the excellent tutelage of my Uncle George, I learned the hard way – while racing in yacht club events. He wanted to win, and I wanted to do well, so I did what I was told and soon discovered that I actually enjoyed all the excitement. And once the stomachache went away, it was, well- fun!

As a young adult living across the country in Northern California, I would often walk the dock on weekend mornings ready to beg my way onto a boat. Before too long, I met fellow sailors who owned boats that I could crew on. I leap at those opportunities, which sometimes wasn’t so smart. I clearly recall getting onboard a boat with a young man who, as it turned out, didn’t have a clue. When the wind picked up, (as we all know can happen often on the San Francisco Bay) we were blown way out across the Bay and had to claw our way back to the Wharf, arriving late into the night – cold and tired. It was a sail I would not soon repeat!

Although I did sail with others who had less experience, it often afforded me the chance to run the boat, set the sails, steer and make lunch too!

Some 25 years later I took that great leap and joined a boat in the Baja Ha Ha Rally as crew. There I met my first mate and together we have sailed all the way to Florida, cruising for five years initially. Now we are in between boats, replenishing the cruising kitty and planning our next adventure.

I am among the fortunate few who has put their cruising experience to work for them. As a writer and editor, I can now get paid to sail. My Blog will include these trips as well as lessons learned while voyaging. When we once again head off into the Blue, I’ll be sharing our stories to help any who care to sail in our wake.

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