Biscay Crossing Passage Plan

Objective

To safely deliver Windleblo and her crew from Kinsale, Ireland, to La Coruna, Spain, a voyage of 500 nautical miles across the Celtic Sea and the Bay of Biscay.

Constraints

Weather

Inclement weather, and more specifically high winds or unpleasant seas, presents the biggest constraints for this passage. Every effort will be made to select an optimal weather window prior to departure.

Careful attention will be paid to weather forecasts in the days leading up to the passage. During this time, Windleblo will be berthed at Trident Marina in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, which has excellent wifi Internet access. Information on weather conditions and sea state will be obtained primarily through the Internet from www.yr.no, www.dmi.dk, www.windguru.com, www.meteo.fr, www.passageweather.com and GRIB files through grib.us.

While at sea, weather information will be obtained periodically using an Iridium 9555 satellite phone. GRIB file data will be requested and delivered as email attachments via Windleblo’s Sailmail email account. Once accessed, the files will be downloaded to the onboard Lenovo laptop for display using MaxSeaTZ software. The onboard SSB radio will be used as a backup to send and receive GRIB files using Sailmail. As an additional backup, Weatherfax information will be obtained via SSB by tuning into Northwood, UK, broadcasts in accordance with the National Weather Service Worldwide Marine Radiofacsimile Broadcast Schedules and displaying resulting Weatherfax transmissions using the iPad HF FAX ap.

Passage Duration

Assuming an average speed over ground of five knots, the passage will take approximately 100 hours.

Departure & Arrival Times

The crew will initially assemble in Kinsale on May 26^th, making May 27^th the first possible date for departure.  Departure time from Kinsale will be dictated by the timing of the weather window selected for the voyage. Although not mandatory given the straightforward pilotage from Kinsale, departure ideally would occur in daylight at slack tide. More preferably, though, departure would occur early in the day after the crew has had a good night’s rest and to optimize the chances of a daylight arrival without adjusting speed as we approach the Spanish coast. Arrival at La Coruna will occur in daylight, preferably at slack tide.

Tides & Currents

Currents along the intended passage track are typically less than one-half knot and variable in direction, though typically aligned with wind and waves. The tidal range in Kinsale is approximately two meter resulting in considerable tidal current. The effects of the tidal stream on pilotage and initial progress away from the coast will be considered in selecting a departure time. Tidal range in La Coruna is approximately 1.5 meter, which, could affect boat speed by one-half knot or so during the final two mile approach into La Coruna Marina if transited at maximum ebb or flood tide. Overall, however, tides and currents do not present a significant constraint for this passage.

Hazards

Once clear of near shore hazards, equipment failure and an unanticipated excessive increase in wind speed or sea state present the primary hazards that might be encountered en route. Commercial shipping and fishing traffic also present potential hazards and will be given a wide berth. Finally, fog may present a hazard. If encountered, speed will be reduced, sound signals will be employed, and electronic navigation will be used to confirm ongoing position fixing.

To ensure safe passage while in confined waters, pilotage sketches will be prepared for Kinsale and La Coruna. They include the position and nature of hazards and ATONs and show clearing bearings, danger bearings, and other key information to guide navigation. Just outside Kinsale, the significant headland, the Old Head of Kinsale, and its associated races create hazards. Both will be given a wide berth. ATONs and charted land based features will be employed to ensure accurate position fixing and safe passage. No rocks or shallows present obstacles as we make landfall at La Coruna.

Seasickness presents an additional potential hazard to planned functioning of the vessel. Should debilitating seasickness strike one of the crew, the voyage will continue with reduced crew strength. If more crew members become sick, a decision will be reached as to whether refuge should be sought. Seasickness medication will be available to any crew desiring it.

Given the duration of this voyage, the weather forecast should be reliable. Although favorable wind direction and speed will be primary considerations in selecting a weather window for this passage, the possibility of a change in either must be considered. Should the wind change direction or intensity, we will simply trim and/or reef sails and adopt a new point of sail. If winds end up on the nose, we will fire up the iron sail.

Windleblo will start the crossing with full diesel fuel tanks, giving the boat a 600+ nautical mile cruising range under engine power.

A four person crew has volunteered for this voyage. Jack Hoopes, co-owner of Windleblo, will skipper. John Hoopes, Martin Neumayer, and Chris Adams will serve as crew. Three of the four members of the Windleblo Biscay Crossing crew are credentialed RYA Yachtmasters, and all four have strong sailing skills and experience. All members of the crew have prior sailing experience aboard Windleblo and are familiar with the boat.

The Skipper will be on deck for departure from Kinsale and arrival into La Coruna and will take an equal share of the watch cycle. The watch schedule will be determined by the crew prior to departure. As an initial proposal, two teams of two crew members each serving four hour watches is proposed for the first 24 hours. Thereafter,  individual crew member watches of three hours between 0600 and 2200 and two hours between 2200 and 0600 are proposed. Relief should arrive at least five minutes before the start of their assigned watch for a hand over briefing.

Should outside assistance become necessary, it will be requested using VHF Channel 16. In addition to nearby vessels, this channel is monitored by both the Irish, UK, French, and Spanish coast guards, which can deploy Search and Rescue resources. Additionally, the onboard satellite phone will be used to contact the closest Coast Guard assistance if necessary. Contact numbers are as follows: NEED TO RESEARCH FRENCH & SPANISH COAST GUARD NUMBERS AND ENTER THEM HERE

Jocelyn Hoopes, co-owner of Windleblo, is the designated responsible party on shore with information about the planned passage. She can be reached at +1-303-810-7513. As a backup, Roni Teitelbaum is Windleblo’s ongoing Shoreside Coordinator. Her mobile number is +1-303-549-5881.

This passage is well within the limits of the skipper, the crew, and the boat.

Route and Navigation

The Imray C18 Chart, Western Approaches to the English Channel and Biscay, will be acquired for this passage. The route once clear of near shore hazards is essentially a rhumb line of 178 degrees True (CHECK THIS) originating at N051 36.2, E008 30.3. This intended track will be plotted on the Imray chart prior to departure. DR and EP positions will be plotted on the Imray chart as the passage progresses. Additionally, celestial sightings will be taken throughout the voyage to determine position, weather permitting. Finally, the boat’s position will be continuously monitored using a Furuno MFD8 NavNet onboard electronic navigation system. As backup, position fixes are available through redundant electronic vector charts carried on both laptop-based MaxSea Time Zero navigation software and an iPad-based iNavX chart plotter.

Concerning suitable places of refuge, Baltimore on the southwest coast of Ireland offers refuge for the first third of the crossing. Thereafter, no refuge is available until La Coruna, though in the middle third of the voyage the possibility exists of turning east toward the French coast for refuge if weather and sea conditions favor this heading.

Should circumstances warrant, a short day sail will be taken from Kinsale to a point on the southwest Irish coast prior to departure. Glandore or Baltimore are possible destinations for this sail, which affords the crew the opportunity to refamiliarize themselves with the vessel and each other and gain their early season “sea legs.” Similarly, if conditions warrant, i.e., weather conditions and sea state are favorable and the crew is able, the crossing may be extended beyond La Coruna to round Cape Finisterre to arrive at Corcubion or other suitable destination. Given the prevailing westerlies in this region, extending the crossing in this way has the advantage of avoiding the possibility of having to wait at La Coruna for favorable conditions to round Cape Finisterre later.

Standing Orders

o PFDs with integrated harnesses shall be worn by crew at all times when in the cockpit or on deck.

o All crew will be tethered to a hull strong point or jack lines at all times when in the cockpit or on deck.

o At least two crew members will be on deck whenever work outside the cockpit is necessary.

o If below decks, the Skipper will be called on deck for any unusual circumstance or if crew has any uncertainty as to how to proceed.

Provisions

Windleblo carries a significant inventory of spare parts, supplies, and safety equipment on board as a precaution against adversity. A 406 EPIRB, Iridium 9555 satellite phone, six-person AVON canister life raft, and fully stocked ditch bag are readily available should abandoning ship become necessary. Ditch bag supplies include portable water maker, handheld GPS, handheld VHF radio, food and water. Similar emergency equipment and supplies are included in the life raft.

Well prior to departure, the crew will collaborate on menu planning for the crossing. Meals will be cooked in advance and kept under refrigeration to ease preparation while under way. A hearty supper will be served on the evening prior to departure. Ongoing hydration through consumption of water and/or water spiked with Emergen-C vitamin powder will be encouraged.

Windleblo will depart Kinsale with fresh water tanks full. Windleblo’s fresh water tank capacity is 460 liters (122 gallons), which will more than meet crew needs for fresh water (see calculation below). None-the-less, bottled drinking water will be purchased in Kinsale and stored on board.

Water management plan:

Drinking water: two liters minimum per person per day                               40 l

Fresh water shower: est. eight liters per shower x two per person               64 l

Fresh water washing for people & dishes, est. ten liters per person             40 l

Total estimated water consumption                                                           144 l

Add safety factor of 10%                                                                           15 l

Total water requirement                                                                            159 l                                          

Customs and Immigration

For entering Spain, European Union regulations apply and Windleblo must clear Customs upon arrival into Spain. As three of the four crew members are from countries that are not signatories to the Schengen Agreement, these crew members must clear Immigration at a port of entry into Spain. Upon arrival into Spain, the captain will proceed ashore and clear customs (Aduana) and immigration at the La Coruna port of entry. Normally officials will then come to inspect the boat.