How was everyone’s Christmas? I hope it was full of food, family and friends. Just like mine. Although I was missing the other half of my universe, I pushed forward to enjoy the day. It was filled with a high caloric intake and a side of satellite phone calls to spread joy from the Sea. Along with pictures and a video, that we may have all watched a dozen times.
As of 18:49 this evening, the boys were located at 20.1364°, -27.1229°. They continue approximately 2.7-3.0 kn, on a SW course to avoid pressures, currents and winds that may slow them down. They may reach their goal Latitude within the next day or so. As for now, all of us Dot Watchers will be glued to the YB Races App to watch their progress.
In the past few days, the team has picked up some speed with the tailwinds and current they've endured, in addition to spotting a pod of dolphin and a whale. They have also been able to practice their boat cleaning skills, photography and BGAN skills. I have included some proof in this blog entry. Let’s begin with boat cleaning. I have had many questions regarding the barnacles on the bottom of the boat.
Barnacles are like a sticky crustaceans that adhere themselves to boats, whales and any other surfaces that have a high level of activity. They feed on microscopic organisms by means of a feather-like appendage. And excrete hard calcium plates to encase themselves for safety. These little critters are no joke and secrete a fast-curing cement-like glue that may have a strength of up to 20-60 pounds per square inch.
Why bother cleaning them off the bottom of the boat? Because they will weigh down the boat, as well as slow it down. Therefor cleaning the boat is a must if you want to successfully row across the Atlantic Ocean as swiftly as you can. Plus, Paul gets to swim and beautiful pictures get taken.
Another great question that has come up, regarding food and how much do they have on the boat. Each one of them have at least 55-days worth of freeze-dried foods and snacks. A day of food consists of a caloric budget of 60 kcal per kg of bodyweight per person per day. In addition to these daily meal packages, they have what are called wet meals or MREs. These are meals that do not require water. They are for emergency use only and cannot be eaten without approval from the race officials. Their water is made via a water maker and heated by a flash heating element for cooking the dry meals.
It’s been a pretty intense 16 days for me since this race began. But I remain open to how the ocean will treat the Team Ohana men. I remain in constant contact with Hupp and update him on all the activities on the Island. And I take in all your comments and stories of miles being crossed as well as their dedications.
I am reminded daily by these Foar men that it takes an idea, a mission and dedication to bring this amount of awareness to PTSD and Veteran’s Suicide.
Enjoy the pictures and video. You gotta love modern technology!
Sea you soon,
LuLu
