Information for Visitors to Blairgowrie Saturday 23rd March 2013.

For vessels visiting BYS to farewell the Osaka Fleet this weekend, the spaces on the ENDS OF EACH FINGER have been reserved for RAFTING  up.

All berths at BYS are privately owned and unless you have booked through the BYS office, please do not enter the berths.

Don't forget to book for Dinner on Saturday evening- BOOKINGS close at 5pm Wednesday 20th March 2013

Egg and bacon rolls and coffee will be availalbe downstairs from 0800hrs on Sunday morning.

From the Race Director - Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race update 20 March 2013

At this morning’s sked Escapade was 65 nautical miles east of Merimbula, heading east north east in a light breeze.

Southern Cross was 100 nautical miles behind, still struggling to get around Gabo Is in the light winds.

The wind will freshen from the north east later today before becoming stronger northerlies tonight.

Turbulence left Williamstown at 8.00 am, on the way to Portsea for a start this afternoon.

Progress to Osaka

Escapade and Southern Cross are experiencing light northeasterlies as of their sked at 0605hrs 20.3.2013.

Southern Cross indicated two days ago that they plan to stay on this course and catch a northerly flowing current which flows about 200 NM off the coast.
"We are unsure about sailing inshore and also there is a current from the north about 20NM from the shore. All aboard are healthy!" Yasu

“Escapade has rounded Gabo island and pointed her nose toward the north. Life aboard is starting to settle into routine with the 1800 sched and watch change done its time for me to reflect on what it's taken and to Thank to everyone who helped get us this far - Felicity, Verna and my family for putting up with getting ready to sell a house at the same time as get Escapade ready.Nicki, in case she's not sure if she's family or crew. My father for stumping up for a spare starter motor, thanks Dad.
To my major/only sponsor Australasian Maritime Institute, thanks Mike and I hope someone has sent you a photo of Escapade decked out in her new livery at the start line at Portsea with Joey and I in our nice new Mustow HPX gear, couldn't get matching sets of storm trooper white so we had to go with Banana yellow.
To my crew who have not only forgone sailing this season but been around when I needed help cleaning hulls, servicing winches and trying to seal up the annoying leaks.Brian in particular for the many hours he spent in frustration trying to get what turned out to be a faulty sat phone working - he was onboard at Blairgowrie on Sunday morning doing the final tests and training - thanks again.
To the various service providers/suppliers for tolerating my various last minute requests, Doug Tannahill at Seaport canvas (those last two sails arrived courtesy of a RIB off Portsea),Jim and Kel at Mariner Engineering, Jason at BSF Marine, Paul Bartley, and John Hooper. Most of whom are anxiously awaiting payment. don't worry guys, your cheques are in the mail - mostly via Coopers sparkling Ale bottles which will hopefully get washed ashore at Eden tomorrow if Joey has read the currents correctly.
To the members at Hobsons Bay yacht club for their support , enquiries and encouragement, fund raisers, farewells (at least three I can remember) and the crowd in the start boat and on the pier at Portsea.
To the race organisers and friends at the Orcv, if I mention names someone will get left out.

It's now 8pm and I've written this, half on starboard, half on port, we're making 5.5 in 8 kts and it should be 6 so back to work for me. If you’re following the tracker we've just made a major commitment to strategy. COG is 075 and being lifted progressively as the breeze backs.
Ciao
Robert

A word from Joey- aboard Escapade!

It's great to be on our way. Very tiring evening and night. but now running on course for Gabo Island. Tired as much because we were up 'til 2 in the morning the night before packing and stowing all the stores. That continued pretty well al the way through until 20 mins before the start when Felicity delivered a potentially important key. That of the steel drugs cabinet which was on Robert's other key ring!

So now it's full sail with the light spinnaker, 7-8 kts in the sun which is behind the sails. Otto steering. Wee bit bouncy and rolly but nothing to complain about.

nb. we are not sure that this is what Otto really looks like!