Log of the 'Sea Scout'

Selected Pictures and Slide Show

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:30:00 +0000

Many crew members sent me CD's with their photos. Click here to see my personal selection.

Storm at sea - a video by Astrid

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:58:00 +0000

Astrid made this video during the storm in early November, when we were on our way to Bermuda. She was in the companionway with her camera. I was standing behind her, trying to hold her upright. The ‘Sea Scout’ is hove to, with the storm jib aback and the tiller lashed to leeward. It lasted 48 hours. Written reports on the storm, by Astrid and Leo, are in the archives of November and December.

Video: On the Atlantic Ocean

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:59:00 +0000

Another video by Astrid. You can watch it on full screen, with good resolution. Astrid made the video when we were on our way from Bermuda to the Virgin Islands. I am frequently looking down at the compass. Our wind vane self steering gear broke during the November storm, and we had to steer by hand all the way (900 miiles.)

Small sailboat on the Atlantic Ocean from Geert van der Kolk on Vimeo.

May 9, 2007: Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 03:35:00 +0000

Dick Teachout came to Deltaville for the last leg of the trip. We sailed into cold 20 knot headwinds in Virginia, and pea-thick fog early this morning. But we also had a beautiful reach, last night, from Smith Point to Point Lookout, while the sun was setting over the 10-mile wide mouth of the Potomac River.

I hope many more stories and pictures will be posted on the log soon. First I want to thank everybody who helped to make my pretty wild plan a reality. Apart from Olina and our children, no fewer than twelve people sailed on different parts of the trip. I am very fortunate to have so may good and adventurous friends. Thank you all. We'll do it again.

Geert

Plan B (and Plan C, and Plan D)

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Mayo) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 03:30:00 +0000

Humans possess an incredible capacity for denial in opposition to contrary evidence. Such stubbornness has led to many a tragedy for captains at sea. Geert does not possess such stubbornness.

We departed Norfolk Harbor Saturday morning, May 5th, with the best case scenario that we might, just might reach Galesville, MD by morning if we sailed non-stop through the night and the weather forecast held. Galesville would mean home for Geert and the end of a six-month voyage chronicled here so well by Geert and his crew. He was anxious and excited.

As we turned north out of Hampton Roads rounding the Thimble Shoals Light, the wind was perfect – dead out of the East at ten putting us on a beam reach. The GPS indicated ETA Galesville 20 hours. Geert beamed. But with the same smile on his face, he looked at me and said, “You know forecasts seldom follow their best predictions.” Accordingly, he described his plots for alternate routes to Solomon’s, St. Mary’s, and Deltaville, VA. Both Solomon’s and St. Mary’s would be fine, as they would mean easy drives home for Michael and I who both needed to leave the Sea Scout no later than Sunday. Deltaville, VA? Quite the opposite – how would we get home from there?

Hearing his words, the wind soon turned gradually from the south, still fine, but it was fading. Now we must motor. And now too NOAA’s computer voice changed its tune. Winds would turn from the North and intensify rapidly. We could expect 20 knots on the nose by nightfall with gusts to 30 and 40. The coastal forecast was even more dire – 20 to 30 foot waves in the gulf stream as a low quickly intensified off the Outer Banks. We all agreed that Deltaville it would be.

So we turned west. We slogged through a cold north wind and intermittent showers and tied up at Deltaville by 5:00pm. Geert’s smile and ever-present optimism never faded. We enjoyed happy hour in our warm cabin with a Belgium couple also put in at Deltaville and followed with a left-over dinner feast. Geert generously read aloud (in English) one of his short stories published in Holland and the voyage was ended for Michael and me. Geert will stay on for a few days until the weather breaks, then he too can dot the “i” in his trip. Godspeed.

The Party

noreply@blogger.com (Olina Jonas) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:54:00 +0000

L to R: Jana, David, Geert, Dick, Anja

On 7-7 at Mary's and Kevin's house. Anja and Dick travelled farthest to come - it certainly was quite a surprise! (Jana had both lower wisdom teeth removed two days before, which explains the hamster cheeks.)

Thank you Geert

noreply@blogger.com (Dick Gaasbeek) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:09:00 +0000

On July 7 Mary had organised a party for as many people as reasonably possible from the Sea Scout crew. It was a very relaxed and pleasant evening; full of stories, good food, wine and beer and (of course) a plastic mug of rum for everyone.
When darkness had fallen Mary read some messages from e-mails of people who were not able to attend. With hardly any light, as we were used to on board.
This party and the atmosphere were the best possible way to say ‘thank you’ again to Geert, whom we considered ‘the best skipper ever’, to say goodbye to each other (the ‘best crew ever’, whose members, although most of them had never met before, felt very familiar immediately) and ‘the best ship ever’: Sea Scout. We’ll meet again.

Back home!

noreply@blogger.com (Olina Jonas) — Wed, 09 May 2007 17:35:00 +0000

This morning Sea Scout arrived in Galesville, MD. All's well.

“Bring it on, Captain Woody”

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Mayo) — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:04:00 +0000

To exit the canal onto the main branch of the Elizabeth River approaching Norfolk is like leaving Walden’s Pond and stepping into the streets of Manhattan. A simple left turn into the channel and in an instant a colossal barge is upon us barreling head-on at 12-plus knots. Time for evasive maneuvers. After a slow three-sixty we head up river staring skyward in awe at the towering cranes, freighters, and Navy carriers. Look out! Another tug is backing into our path. We hold up and wait as it rumbles into the channel with a 70-foot tall crane barge cabled to its bow.

Though Norfolk harbor is only 6 miles distant, we must pass through five lift bridges and draw bridges, and we do not know their schedules. We theorize they will certainly open ahead of the crane barge, so Geert radios the captain of the tug, the Captain Woody, to ask if we might tag along in his wake. “No problem,” he answers, “over and out.”

And so we bobble along in the prop wash of the tug, listening like gleeful children as we hear the tug radio each upcoming bridge requesting an opening. The last bridge master responds to the tug with what will become the anthem for our day, “Bring it on, Captain Woody!”

Voices Past

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Mayo) — Sun, 06 May 2007 23:45:00 +0000

Thursday, May 3rd. Elizabeth City. Captain’s Reprieve. We slept in and spent the morning provisioning and visiting with other transients comparing notes on journeys north. Several older cruisers were on their first and sometimes second turn of the “great circle route.” This is a seven or eight thousand mile trip up the ICW, Hudson River, Erie Canal, to the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, and around Florida to start all over again. Sailors can follow the seasons and enjoy year-round travel. We could have listened all day, but by late morning it was time to push off and continue a small segment of that route ourselves.

To journey through the Dismal Swamp is to take a trip back in time. The low drone of the diesel blends with the boat’s bubbling wake to create a hypnotic trance. In the early morning, swirls of mist curl beneath overhanging tree boughs as if rising from witch’s cauldrons just beneath the surface. As we passed, each of our crew perched on the deck in solitude and gazed at the symmetry of the canal that extended in perfect perspective into the horizon. A heron hop scotched ahead of us for a period as if our shepherd. Both your eyes and ears can play tricks on you. As I stared – Were those the ghostly voices of travelers past I heard floating through the trees?

Almost there - by Geert

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Fri, 04 May 2007 22:21:00 +0000

We reached Norfolk this afternoon, after a rainy passage through the Dismal Swamp Canal. Tomorrow we plan to push on through the night, hopefully reaching southern Maryland before the weather turns on Sunday.

great trip

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 May 2007 01:50:00 +0000

It's wendsday evening and we launch at Elizabet city port.After 13 hours riding a boat we are happy to be on ground.Yesterday we swimm in Pamlico and Pungo river after all sunny day.I would say coffe river it has such a color like cuban coffe Geert serving us every day at morning.
Riding a sailing boat is one of the things I like so much except one spot.I have to wake up so early :-)

Nazdar ,
Vsetci co sledujete moju vypravu na plachetnici odkazujem ze sa mam dobre .Plavime sa zo severnej Karoliny do Anapolisu.Sme 3 na lodi.Kapitan(holandan) sa plavi z Kuby a je na pol rocnej vyprave smerom do Washingtonu.Na ceste nam obcas robia spolocnost delfiny.
Predpokladany prijazd je asi az na buduci tyzden.
Michal michlo

Not a Typical Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Mayo) — Thu, 03 May 2007 01:23:00 +0000

Ha! If only for a handful of days I have slipped the away from the daily rat race! Monday evening I flew from Baltimore, MD to New Bern, NC and soon thereafter stepped onto the deck of the Sea Scout in Oriental, NC. I am happy to be guest crew of Geert’s to help shepherd Sea Scout on her final legs home to Annapolis.

Tuesday morning we threw off the lines at 7:00am traveling east, north then east yet again up the Neuse, Pamlico, and Pungo rivers. Half a dozen dolphins followed us for a time – a harbinger for safe passage. We anchored in the reeds of Pungo Creek just past Belhaven Tuesday evening and the winds set in to howl through the night.

Wednesday proved a true “hump” day. Our challenge was to travel north and cross the Albemarle Sound with following winds before a North Easter blew in Wednesday night to put the wind on our nose. Geert and Michael hauled the anchor at 6:00am and for the next 13 hours we passed through canals, rivers, and sounds like clockwork arriving at our target destination, Elizabeth City, NC at 7:00pm. What a glorious day. We will sleep well. The Dismal Swamp awaits us!

Sailing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 May 2007 02:08:00 +0000

Hey guys,
Day before yesterday I was on my way with three girls (Misa,Petra and Martina)to Cape Hatteras area in North Carolina.We had really nice trip around the eastest most point in US.We travel acrooss two islands on ferry.At the evening we got to small town called Morehead city .I met there my new friend Geert from Holland.He is sailing guy and he has been on trip for couple of month from Cuba.He has lot of interesting story from his sailing trip he had shared with me.Today we sail from Morehead city to Oriental.We saw dolphines on our way.He let me ride his 30 feet long boath all the way to Oriental.It was exciting to ride boat by your self.In Oriental we pick up another crew membrer Bob from Baltimore.Tommorow we will sail all day to Belhaven(NC)
I forget to mention that Geert's culinary galley(food skills) are great.Today we had mexican specialty.
Michal Michlo

Pushing on

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:22:00 +0000

Two new crew members, Michael Michlo and Bob Mayo, are arriving today and tomorrow. If the weather holds, we'll make the Chesapeake by next weekend. Dick Teachout, a seasoned 'Sea Scout' veteran (Bermuda, Newfoundland), may be able to join us in Norfolk next week. So, with luck, we'll get home after all.

In North Carolina

noreply@blogger.com (Olina Jonas) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:03:00 +0000

Sea Scout is in Morehead City, NC. Next stop is Oriental, NC, and the plan is to reach Norfolk, VA next week-end, after transiting through the Great Dismal Swamp.

Almost there 2

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:14:00 +0000

The weather is holding, and the forecast good. Rather than leave the boat now, we decided to push on as far as we can. We hope to reach Beaufort this weekend. From there it's only 200 miles to Norfolk on the south end of the Chesapeake Bay. If I can find one more crew member, we can make it. If you're interested, please call the boat's cell (202-491-7136) or Olina in Washington (202-237-7375 or 202-473-4655).

Almost there - by Geert

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:00:00 +0000

We motored north on the Intra Coastal Waterway to Savannah, where Dancker left to go home, and Tony came on board. Winds were fair in the beginning of the week, so we went offshore immedaiately. We reached Cape Fear in North Carolina after two clear, beautiful days at sea, accompanied by dolphins and, at night, an occasional shrimper. We are now in the resort and nature preserve of Bald Head Island. Tony and I are both running out of time. We have to get back to Washington. The plan is to leave 'Sea Scout' in North Carolina (Wilmington area.) I will come back next month or in the summer to sail the boat to its mooring in the Chesapeake Bay. It should be a lovely trip: offshore from Masonboro Inlet to Beaufort, up the Neuse and Pamilco rivers, through the Dismal Swamp Canal, and finally up the Chesapeake. Interested in sailing? Send me an email and we'll talk about dates and logistics.

Greetings from Panama - by David

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:27:00 +0000

Hey Geert,

I hope all is well and the staysail can be repaired. I wish we had Danker on board with us the whole time! Anyway lifes a party here and everyone is in Panama. I saw Gregoir and Morgan the french couple we met in Haiti, of course Barry and Chris are here as well. In addition we have met some amazing people that you would have really liked. Most interesting perhaps is the 27 year-old Hundarian named Aaron. He is sailing alone around the world in his 19 foor sailboat. You would have loved talking to this guy who by the way has a beard that goes pretty much down to his chest. He was so funny when Nathan Maggie and I had him over for dinner. We asked him if he believed in God and he replied ¨Of course!! My boat is very small and I need all the help I can get!

Anyway there was a huge backlog for sailboats going through the canal so we got to meet a lot of cool boats and as it is with cruisers, exchanged cards and made plans to see each other down in the galapagos. We finaly got through the canal last monday and it was just about all it was cracked up to be. Unbelievable how much work went into that canal and how many people died. Also i forgot to mention that while we were waiting to transit we decided against the San Blas as the weather was pretty bad and instead went up inland towards Costa Rica and spend 5 days hiking the mountains and volcanos of western Panama.

We are off tomorrow morning and are having a farewell dinner with Barry and Chris and their two friends who came to join them. They are leaving tomorrow as well but I think the Swan 60 will outpace us. (Even though as Nathan says, Barry´s sailing strategy is to put the Raymarine on, turn on the radar alarm and go to sleep. When you hear the turtles on the beach your there mate)!!

Ok well just thought id check in with you and Danker to make sure Sea Scout is still in one piece. Safe sailing Geert and reef early! Take it easy and watch out for those Floridians, they are a nasty bunch.

Due North

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:56:00 +0000

We had some rough sailing outside the reef between Key West and Key Largo and ripped the staysail, but we made very good progress. We flew by Miami and Palm Beach and are now docked in Titusville. We can see the Kennedy Space Center from the cockpit. We plan to continue north on the Intracoastal Waterway. As soon as we have a two or three day weather window, we'll go offshore again.

Dancker fussed endlessly with the malfunctioning self steering vane, and got the thing working again. His next project is the rigging, which, he says, is tuned all wrong. It's a delight to have an experienced sailor on board.

Fort Pierce

noreply@blogger.com (Olina Jonas) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:43:00 +0000

Sea Scout is in a marina about 10 miles south of Vero Beach. It's raining. They hope to leave to sail further north on Thursday.

Key West!

noreply@blogger.com (Geert at Mac) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:12:00 +0000

We arrived at noon yesterday after a marvelous moonlit passage from Havana. In the federal building we raised many a border agent's eyebrow and had to listen to some threatening words ("There is no direct traffic between Cuba and the US!" "Boy, are you in trouble!" "You face deportation!"). After many questions and paperwork we (they) got things straight, thanks to Dancker's visa, my status as a writer and Sea Scoout's Dutch papers. There may very well be a federal follow-up in Washington, but we'll cross that river when we get there. For now we are happily back in the country and the boat has a cruising permit for a whole year.

Dick, thanks so much for the pictures. They are great!

Cuban pictures (II and last) by Dick

noreply@blogger.com (Dick Gaasbeek) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:06:00 +0000

Cubans are by nature very friendly and open minded. I enjoyed them, their meals, their way of trying to make the best of it.
Compared to Haiti Cuba is very clean. One reason is that Cubans do not have anything to spill. Another is the regime. It is everywhere.
Sometimes this regime looks funny (where in the world can you find oil tanks with the text: 'For my country I will die' or billboards especially made for Americans within the 'special interest section' of the USA at the Malecon in Havana?). Then it's intimidating: when soldiers guard embarking ships with their guns loaded.

And the black flags? Their original goal is to 'cover' an LED-screen with newsflashes 'from the free world' on the one and only American office in Havana. But the sign below it says it is to honour the victims of a battle with the Americans in 1868...

Cuba is however changing. In Havana western luxury is more visible than five years ago. But it still is a very thin 'varnish'.

May be this is what I like about it: the crew of Sea Scout did not always understand my sense of humor. The 'Dick joke' became a household word. Do you understand the humor of 'Fidel, 80 years more'? I do.

Pictures from Cuba (I)

noreply@blogger.com (Dick Gaasbeek) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:40:00 +0000

I split the Cuban selection in two: 'pictures made at sea' and those 'made on the land'.
The nice thing about being at sea is that what you see is constantly changing: the light, the colours, the waves (or no waves at all), sometimes there are clouds, at night you can see the moon and the stars (& planets). Anything is always or seems moving.
Sometimes you see other life, mainly animal life: birds, dolphins, we caught and ate a barracuda, bought and ate lobster and a red snapper from fishermen.
During my seven weeks in total we spotted five commercial vessels, about fifteen fishing boats and a few yachts. Ideal circumstances to train my 'sitting to sit'. I am very good at that now.
It's harder to make photos of what I just described. And when you realise the most important thing about navigation is that you constantly look for things you cannot see...
I tried however to give you an idea.
And, when David will be back on the log the contest for 'the best sunset' will open officially.

Dick

Ile a Vache

noreply@blogger.com (Dick Gaasbeek) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:34:00 +0000

On Ile a Vache (pop. 15.000) the highway is a footpath. The only traffic are pedestrians (and as rumour goes drug traffickers). We spent app. 10 days there. Geert found lots of plots for new books and we went sailing twice with local fisherman in their handmade, but very fast sailing boats. Gratien (see picture at end) was not only a fisherman but also a pastor... He named his vessel Ebenezer (= Kreol for Eben Haezer (1 Samuel 7:12). The stone of help or 'This is where the Lord brought us'.)
I was also very impressed by the work of Soeur Flora and the mailman from Quebec. She led the orphanage in Madame Bernard (the main village) for more than 25 years and he helps her six months a year by providing the most handicapped children a bath in the sea. The pedal boat you see is the orphanages washing machine (there is no electricity).