May 30, 2015

May 30, 2015

Night fall the morning before our arrival in New Bedford, MA the whole crew is on deck sputtering with puns and yokes as the bond of four people on a nine-day sea voyage solidifies. A unique way to form newfound friendships- enclosed spaces, wild sightings and fated by the raw elements. For much on the sojourn, we were the only humans within hundreds and hundreds of miles, hopefully we have done a fine job in representing humanity to the likes of the creatures and elements in the Atlantic, creating the likes of our own sort of community aboard a mass of canvas, fiber glass and teak.

During mid-watch, 10 pm to 2pm, Maravilha was surrounded by a large pod of dolphins- rambling and glimmering through the blackened ocean. It seemed as if they were escorting us into familiar waters, welcoming us back home. A US Naval Warship hailed all nearby vessels, warning them to stay 5,000 feet away. With chuckles, we refrained from replying that we were the US Naval Peace Ship, and if they came within 5,000 feet of us we would launch our kindness missiles.  The feeling arises as it does time and time again, with endless night hours of  great concentration on what might pass into your 360 degree orb of ocean- you begin to see things, things that are not really there. Imagination expands and extrapolates- bioluminescence begins to look like people holding flashlights, the darkened waters and cloud seem to be emulating the outline of a ships… Do you see that there- that sea-nymph maid of the mer? I now understand how the great mystical tales of the sea and its' fantastic creatures have come about. What long days of salt and sea does to you…

The pure thrill at the notion of getting the first glimpse of the islands as we near the home port was interrupted by the thick mist of fog that settled. Eyes were peeled for navigational lights, darkened silhouettes appearing through the fog. The  great mist prevailed, night into day-and we saw not a speck of green earth until the very last moments, entering the harbor with our caravan of good friends and family, coming out into the fog to welcome us home. Once fastened to the dock, the crew was crowned with vines and flowers, medals of starfish and sprayed with sweet champagne.  Reeling with joy at the lovely crowd gathered to welcome us, the prospect of digging our toes into solid ground, we celebrated the great victory.

Bravo- Maravilha completes the last 1,500 mile leg, as well as completing the full 9,000 mile trans-Atlantic cruise. Nine crew members enjoyed different parts of the trip, some staying on for multiple legs, and the Captain remained. With immense gratitude for the safety and success of the entire cruise, we thank all of those- and there were many- who helped in making this trip come to life.  

And so the story goes- Maravilha returns to the simple joys of Buzzards Bay, captain and crew to their respective lives- stories in hand, sea in heart.  

A toast to the Atlantic!

MEP

May 29, 2015

Sun up revealed glassy, rounded waters. Muted, silky colors moved smooth like thick ink, stillness enveloped us. To our stern a thick line of plump cumulus clouds, like a river in the sky, signifying the crossing of the Gulf Stream. The rumble-hum of the engine set the melody for the day, winds lying low. The celebratory final full day of sailing- we had freshly baked cranberry orange bread for morning meal.

Puttering about in the heat of the day, relishing the space and water and strange things that reveal themselves spuratically if you are watching close enough. Hours spent with eyes fixed upon the sea, enthralled by the energy waves lifting up tons and masses of sea, rolling them under us. We approach the Canyon, and the shallowing waters and closeness to land lends to abundant wild life. Jellies, weeds of the sea, tiny tiny fish, minature specks of life float by our yellow ship. Dolphins gallop alongside our hull, quite a magnificent sight.

In the interim, Victor is down below putting on the Elvis 68 Comeback DVD, jamming out and singing a tune here and there. What a fitting way to return to North America says Reese, to the sounds of the King of Rock..

Boat Delivery Bingo. Ever heard of it? Probably not, a coin termed aboard the S.S.V. Maravilha by documentations master Reese Pacheco. Seen dolphins? Great Check off B1. Man of wars, abandoned ships, Marlins, Mahi Mahi's you name it. Check, check. All that is left for the completion- a whale sighting. Low and behold, there was something big and black and shiny right in front of us- a great sperm whale. The massive sturdy creature moved around us and swam south. Bingo.

Mahi Mahi a la yesterday and canned brown bread for dinner. Quite the feast.

Boat fashion #2: Night Edition: Bright red squall suits complete with fleece onesies. Jedi Master Denis says "Welcome to New England. You put on pants and hat now."

 

MEP

 

May 28, 2015

I was really stretching the fibers of my creative extrapolation on what I would write in today's blog, as up until the events of mid-afternoon there was merely the usual 360 degree view of the ocean and little excitement unless you count turning on the engine due to little winds. The strange and intersting afternoon began. As the sun piled high above us, Denis spotted a rather large curved semi-floating debris on the horizon, seeming to resemble a hull of some sort. From afar the reflecting mass rose and vanished with the swell, glinting in the heat of the day. Altering our course to get a closer look, we saw that it was an abandoned catamaran- with a torn off deck and no mast or sails in sight. Calm, disturbing. We notified the coast guard of the discovery and it's location. The eery loneliness of the boat and the untold story of how it came to this tattered state cast a strange and quiet mood, a surreal sight to take in. Passing the wreck seemed ever so slow and elongated, all eyes were fixed upon the anomaly and the waters ahead in case of scattered debris.

Onward and North we continued. The wreck was no more than a glinting speck behind us when, wham! The crinkled coca cola can hit the deck. [The Coke Can-No Pole method was taught to Victor on their last trip from the Canaries to St. Lucia by Rui. The can is rigged so when there is pressure on the line, it hits the deck to let everybody know there is a fish, and also scare the bananas out of us since we had just passed a wreck.] Nonetheless, all crew went into action. The ziplocs! The water jug! Where is the knife! Get the gloves! Lightning indigo, lemon yellow and crisped cobalt muscle and fin whistled through the water, sending up spray and churned water as the pull in begins. A massive four foot long Mahi Mahi is lifted from the sea. A gorgeous creature, beautiful beast. Moments of respect and appreciation for the fish as the brilliant color fades. The fish is cut apart, filleted, guts thrown to the bird freinds and celebrated.

A strange and interesting afternoon, to say the least.

MEP

May 27, 2015

This morning we awoke to a few nudges to our hydro-generator by a mysterious watery shadow. The hydro-generator is a small propeller-like device that provides all the electricty for us as long as we are moving at a speed above six knots. A massive eight foot long Marlin seemed to think the whirling white pinwheel was some sort of fishy food and kept nuzzling its beak into it. The surprise visitor was welcomed with fascination, although we were concerned he would jump straight over our transom into into the cockpit. Marlin kept at the hungry antics, swishing about to keep up with the generator, long and strong fish body slicing through our wake.

Prior to this morning escapade, night watch consisted of Captain Pinheiro attempting to exercise his vocal chords with the songs of the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and Dulce Pontes, as well as a sighting of the half moon fading into red and falling into the Ocean on the Western side! What a sight!(Some might call this moon setting). Those off-watchers attempting to get some shut eye exclaimed that the experience in the cabin was comparable to a wild Alaskan sleigh ride, waking up with wide eyes grabbing onto to the bulkhead. A wild, wild ride for those below deck.

Second round of bucket showers today- yes we like to stay clean aboard the S.S.V. Maravilha. Reese sports his 'boat fashion', consisting of navy fishing boots and slim grey short shorts- this, vogue. Portuguese man of war count up to twenty eight as of late this afternoon. I type this as the sun falls to our Western side, fading through amber, soft rose and fizzing gold. Gulf Stream to morrow.

MEP

May 27, 2015

1100 EST

Position 33 37.6N   70 19.8W

Distance to Padanaram 477 miles

Moving along nicely. Clear skies and an easterly breeze from the East at 15kts. We expect to enter the Gulf stream early tomorrow morning and then aim at our destination….Padanaram Harbor. Thus far we've sailed approximately 1000 miles since last Thursday….most smooth, fast sailing with the exception of one bumpy day. Meals on board have been fantastic with the creative touch from our steward, Mia!

This morning we had a visit from a 6- 8 ft Marlin who was attacted to our hydrogenerator. He/she made numerous charges at it before figuring out that it isn't edible and leaving us. It was quite entertaining.

Tonight's dinner will be spaghetti and meatballs with fresh pineapple for desert….very nice.

Until tomorrow,

vcp

May 26, 2015

A sun-filled breezy day unfolds before us, long deserved after yesterday's fifteen foot swells and grey skies. The waves looked as if they were great sea walls rolling underneath us continously. Revealed within these watery walls were three sleek dolphins galloping through the blue, a good sign in the midst of the grey mood. As Denis put it after his mid-day attempt at napping, it was as if we were riding in a washing machine- spin cycle. Living aboard a boat in the midst of the sea requires a great deal of acrobatics, and a good deal of humor as we find ourselves stumbling through the galley, grabbing hold of whatever is near to balance in the head, hip-checking walls and sliding across the floors to reach the cabins. Today the rocking has eased and we are making our way with good speed. On the horizon a mast was spotted mid-morning- and we befreinded a French sail boat 'Fil Au Vent'  heading to New York from St. Maarte-, who was in need of a weather report, we gladly shared. We now have a cheery caravan heading for the Gulf Stream, estimated time of entry into stream- Thursday early morning! Wooohoo!

MEP

May 25, 2015

Winds have stayed consistent and skies bright for the past four days, today we have a bit more cloud cover, rain and fluctuating winds. The crew is breaking into the foul weather gear, with hopes sun shines again very soon and we can shed these waterproofing layers. We are nearly to the halfway point, and approaching the gulf stream within the next couple of days. A Shearwater Tern befreinded us, enjoying our ginger snaps and staying close astern for the entirety of yesterday, picking at our scraps as we rinse our dishes off the stern. Hours and days blur, as the watch schedule takes over- harnesses strapped on, sails adjusted and course set- dawn and dusk, day and night all encompassing these tasks to move us forward. Nothing a bit of fresh fruit and some bright music  to turn around a rainy day.

MEP