Thursday, March 20

Sailing Across the Gulf

Sunset from Key West, March 2014
Sailing across the blue water to the Dry Tortugas, 70 miles south route
Center of Fort Jefferson National Park, 2 park rangers live there for 2 weeks on.
One of our crew sailed from the Dry Tortugas and back to Texas across the Gulf of Mexico.  Preparation is the key to any successful trip.  So for some added preparation, I added some ways to make the trip better.

Stay fit to reduce injury on these long sailing trips.  Practice the sailor's workout.  Pulling lines for 7 days definitely does work your triceps and biceps.


Second day they hit a bad storm (31 kt winds and high seas) and the bimini got torn up.  Watched lightning hit the ocean in the distance, beautiful as you could see the lightning spread across the water and scary (too quick to take a picture).  Thanks for the working auto helm and no rigs when it was the worst.


 Read about the Mysterious Science of Motion Sickness in the Atlantic

 Best Tips to Prevent Seasickness While Sailing
  • Bring ipod with headset
  • Gloves, harness, offshore lifejacket, thermal underclothes that dry quickly, sunglasses, hats
  • Have a job or goal ready, keep your mind busy
    • seasickness is 30-50% mental
  • Take the helm and watch the horizon
  • Avoid Alcohol
  • Get a good night sleep
  • Drink plenty of water, regularly 
  • Avoid high fiber and acidic foods
    • chocolate, caffeine, apples, orange juice, milk, lemons, coffee, fries, and greasy (oily) snacks
  • Dress in layers and wear loose fitting clothes
  • Peppermint (calm your nerves) and ginger help reduce seasickness
  • Avoid others that have nausea
  • Everyone's different; what works for me may not work for you.
    • Vomiting may provide temporary relief to nausea 
Motion sickness: Caused by Inner Ear feeling out of balance and visual motion.
  • Seasickness: Prevention and Treatment, 'smell of acetone on your breath after long stage of nausea'

Read more about Overuse injuries in sailing by Tamara Mitchell

Watching the PASSAGE WEATHER website gave a good prediction of the storms and high waves that the crew could try and avoid in their crossing

Visit:

RESTAURANTS IN KEY WEST (most are mediocre cooking at best) 
    Stock Island, Hogfish Bar and Grill, 6810 Front St, 305-293-4041

 MARINAS

         KEY WEST
STOCK ISLAND
MARATHON
Robbie's Boat yard, 7281 Shrimp Rd, Key West, 305-294-1124
NOAA Data Lighted Station: Super Buoy 42003 (East Gulf about 120 NM, northwest of the Dry Tortugas, 26.044 N 85.612 W (26°2'38" N 85°36'42" W)), Flashing (on 4 secs) Lighted Yellow Buoy every 20 seconds PA (Position Approximate), ODA (ocean data acquisition system, data collecting superbuoy)

 Remember new emergency stop in Port Eads, Louisiana at new marina, 2 miles north up South Pass of the Mississippi River.  Info available in updated Louisiana Quickie Guide 2013.  

 The crew got about 70 nautical miles from the South Pass where rigs were well light and close together.  Many in the crew heard the sounds of animals, dog barks and whistles which may have come from the spotted dolphins that were seen along the way.
  • Beware: South of Louisiana, Crew Boat, Southern Belle, at full hull speed crossed their bow at 50 feet and circled back around them.

DRY TORTUGAS
  • Marquesas Keys, 25 miles west of Key West, mangrove island formed as a doughnut by a meteorite, kayaking-fishing area
  • Bird Key Harbor, SW of Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, south of Fort Jefferson West Channel, 24°37.4'N, 82°52.67'W, contact ranger at 305-224-4255.
  • Slip usage for 2 hours Map of Garden Key; claimed mooring ball only use for 2 hours from ranger, boaters can use the slips on a first come first service basis to unload camping gear and supplies or take a walking tour of the fort.

Mooring Balls by Fort Jefferson (Garden Key, Dry Tortugas), (only one was available, told for 2 hours)
  1. RNAMB1 (Windjammer) 24°37.413'N, 82°56.548'W
  2. RNAMB2 (The Maze) 24°36.6'N, 82°56.914'W
  3. RNAB3 (Davis Rock) 24°41.209'N, 82°54.440'W
  4. RNAB4 (Texas Rock) 24°40.082'N, 82°53.125'W
  5. RNAB5 (Off Ramp) 24°40.156'N, 82°54.506'W
  6. LMBSE (Loggerhead SE) 24°37.833'N, 82°55.187'W
  7. LMBSW (Loggerhead SW) 24°37.8031'N, 82°55.546'W 
View of Fort Jefferson NPS
Southernmost Point Buoy in the Continental US, Key West
To see Dr. Samuel Mudd's Cell
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd (1833-1883), imprisoned Fort Jefferson Florida, July 14, 1865.  "upon occasion of the prevalence of the yellow fever... Samuel A. Mudd devoted himself to the care and cure of the sick, and interposed his courage and skill to protect the garrison .... from peril and alarm,  and thus ... saved many valuable lives and earned the admiration and gratitude of all who observed or experienced his generous and faithful service to humanity" from President Andrew Johnson.  Dr. Mudd was released, and left Fort Jefferson March 11, 1866
Inside view of Fort Jefferson
Welcome to the Conch Republic at Key West Airport, "90 miles to CUBA"
Flying into Key West, southern view

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