Day 70 – INFO: COMING TO THE ARRIVAL

9 May, 07 – 21.43    
15.3696N,49.0523W
24 hr progress: 12.2 Nautical Miles (1 nm = 1.85 km)
Distance left to Antigua (straight line): 735 Nautical Miles ( 1359 km)
Distance completed: 2410 NM (4458 km)
Wave height: 8-10 ft, Winds: 10-15 knots E, Bearing: 260 – 270 degrees.

I hope to reach the Caribbean in the next 4-5 weeks, factoring in the current problem of making water and rowing without the rudder. I am currently at 15N, about 120 miles due south of Antigua 17N. The plan remains to catch the Antilles current and make a SE approach to Antigua. If weather conditions change or I run into further problems, I have kept my options open to make landfall at any off the islands.
So, for those of you who's idea to row across the Atlantic is being seated in row 10 on a Boeing, here is the info of my alternate landfall options – in case you fancy short holiday in the Caribbean. For those of you who are sailing, the coast guard and port information is included. I will post the info now so you'll have adequate time to plan your trip. It would be great to have you there.
B
PORT & COAST GUARD INFO FOR ISLANDS
Barbados: Port St. Charles near Speightstown
Customs telephone number is 246 419 1300. Before entering, call the
dockmaster, Derek Ince, on VHF16 or 77 for instructions. Dockmaster
Tel:246-419-1000 ext. 2230 / Mob. 246 262 3759, VHF Channel 16,77
psc.dockmaster@caribsurf.com
Barbados: Bridgetown very small port 13.0833330N, 59.62W
Barbados: Speightstown very small port 13.25W, 59.65W
Port St. Charles is quite fancy
St. Lucia: Castries, small port (near NW corner of island) 14.0166664N, 61W
St. Lucia: Vieux Fort, very small port SW corner of island 13.733333N,
60.97W
St Lucia has Castries located very conveniently around the corner as soon as
you clear the north end of the island.
Martinique & Guadeloupe - Coast Guard: +596-596-709-292
Martinique: Le Marin very small port, 14.4666662N, 60.88W
Martinique: Fort de France, small port, 14.60000N, 61.08W
Martinique: St. Pierre, very small port 14.733333N, 61.18W
Martinique is fine, aim for Le Marin at the SW corner if you have to.
Dominica Coast Guard: 1-809-448-2222
Dominica: Roseau very small port 15.283333N, 61.4W
Dominica: Roseau very small port 15.566666N, 61.47W
Dominica is supposed to be poorer, if you are that far north, aim for
Guadeloupe for better help with shipping the boat, etc.
Guadeloupe: Grand Bourge very small port, 15.883333N, 61.32W
Guadeloupe: Bourg des Saintes very small port, 15.86666N, 61.58W
Guadeloupe: Riviere Sens small marina SW corner by the lighthouse 15.98217N
61.71610W
On Guadeloupe, I would aim for Riviere Sens for clear access there.
I will be receiving a tow to Bas-du-Fort at
Pointe a Pitre, that's where I will be shipping the boat.
- (special thanks to Erden Eruc.)
To send me an SMS message (160 chars) via my satellite phone 8816 315 826 92 go to http://messaging.iridium.com/
Or you can post me a longer personal message via my webpage which will be forwarded to me within 48 hours.
http://www.bhavik.com/crossatlantic/messages.asp
Otherwise email me: mail@bhavik.com

Hop onboard Coconut airways...see you in the Carib!