Saturday June 20 13:40 (1:40 p.m.) Postion: 37 43.9 N, 135 02
Snookums had to cross a major international shipping lane last night. Coby reports that he had to awaken at regular intervals all night, to scan in all directions for ships. Even crossing these lanes, he has only seen two ships -- very intimidatingly big, though far away. The economic crisis is helping him have less traffic to avoid.
He also sent out a "surité" (guessing the spelling, pronouned: shur ee TAY) that advised any ships in hearing distance that he was a small boat, giving his location, speed and heading so that they in turn could avoid him.
He is now about 60 nautical miles out of the lanes, and relieved.
He had it rigged so that he can adjust the sails and much more while keeping his lower body warmly and safely in the cabin, and just sticking his head and shoulders out. An advantage of a small boat.
I neglected to post: a few nights ago he saw brilliant flashes of green luminesce. It looked magical.
If anyone out there knows phone cards that will cover iridium satellite phones for a good rate, please let me know. It would cost me 6$ a minute to call him, and the first minute or so is used up in connection!
The way my wife and I handled it when I crossed the Atlantic in my Dana was as follows: She could send me a text message for free, that used to make my phone sound an alert, if she wanted to talk the text message would say for me to call her. My calls from the sat phone were charged at around $1 a minute.
ReplyDeleteGood system! At the moment there is a glitch, and he isn't getting any of my emails or text messages.
ReplyDeleteWhen was the $1 a call? I think it is a lot more now.
Thanks for the tip -- we will use it when we have text again.
I had a pre paid sim card, I see now it is about $1.30 a minute:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.satellite-phone-depot.com/iridium-prepaid-sim-1000-min1000.html
I made my trip about 3 years ago.
Hey I would be interested in the satelite antenna for the dana.
ReplyDeleteHey btw snookums, I am so envious....how did you get the time off? I'm there with ya...you go dude. The best.
ReplyDelete(Katja for Coby) Actually, the carpentry work here in Portland was dwindling fast. . .
ReplyDeleteSee http://www.outfittersatellite.com/iridium_antenna.htm
ReplyDeletefor iridium remote antennas