Depart From

Erieau, Lake Erie, Ontario (Canada) (42° 16'N, 081° 55'W)

Heading For

Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA (42° 09.4'N, 080° 07'W ) - note actual end point may vary depending on time/conditions/Immigration etc.

Expected Route

Planned route (expected sailing route distance is about 85nm) - East across Lake Erie, and once in USA waters getting full Customs/immigration clearance to proceed.

The actual route taken will be based on regular weather reports received at sea, and will provide for the safest, most comfortable route (rather than the shortest or quickest route). Our daily updates will report any significant changes.

You can follow our actual progress via The links in the Follow our Journey section

Date/Time Depart

Depart: Wednesday 17th April 2024, around 18:00 (Boat Time) Time Zone info

Date/Time Arrival anticipated

Arrive around: Thursday 18th April 2024, around 16:00 (Boat Time) Time Zone info

This date may be updated on passage directly with our emergency contacts.
** We are unable to update this web page while on passage, but emergency contacts will have latest date.

Date/Time Arrival Sound Alarm if no additional contact by

Alarm if no word by: 19:00 on 18th April 2024 (Boat Time) Time Zone info

This date may be updated on passage directly with our emergency contacts.
** We are unable to update this web page while on passage, but emergency contacts will have latest date.

If for some reason the EPIRB is activated this should be treated as an emergency situation, if accidental we will endevor to make contact and notify ASAP.

For Guidance on what to do if our assigned emergency contacts don't hear from us by the given dates - please see USCG FloatPlan - back page

Official Search And Rescue (SAR) - Varies by coutry/area - see SAR by country/area

In addition to an official report to the appropriate SAR, our emergency contacts can report any issue to the more informal site Boat Watch (they also have a Facebook group).

Known Equipment Issues

HAM/SSB tested (October 2022), and found that it can receive but not transmit (we have alternative sat comms fully functional)

No additional known issues, vessel is well maintained and serviced, rig checked retularly, etc..

Universal Time

UTC (equivalent to GMT) makes it easy to compare the time in different places.
Many areas have a standard time, and a daylight savings time (DST) to further complicate matters, but we hope the following information helps

Departing Port

Ontario is currently on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) = UTC -4

Arriving Port

Pennsylvania is currently on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) = UTC -4

Boat Time

An easy choice since there is no time zone changes between ports - Boat time will be EDT = UTC-4

England, UK
(for emergency contact)

UK will be in British Summer Time (BST:UTC+1) in this period (end March until end October), so boat will be 5 hours behind/earlier than the UK (i.e. Noon on the boat is 5pm the same day in the UK).

Follow our Journey / Position reporting

We have several methods of tracking the boat progress (each dependent on hardware and technology actually working)

• Iridium Go / PredictWind Tracking (provided we are able to send updates). When on, will send hourly position reports.
• noforeignland (provided we are able to send updates, reported daily on passage)
• Farkwar (provided we are able to send updates, reported daily on passage)
• AIS tracking the boat MMSI number is 367543090. (Provided we are transmitting when in range of a land station or a passing relay boat)

Contacts

You can follow our actual progress via The links in the Follow our Journey section

Where possible we will attempt to check offshore emails daily (this also allows us to see text only versions of my main gmail account and selectively download any important looking emails) (via our Iridium Go/Satellite data plan)

Daily we hope to submit email status and position updates to our named contacts (note: WHERE POSSIBLE)

During passage we will ONLY monitor emails sent to our off-shore email account(s). {Note: NAMED contacts can feel free to send SMALL TEXT only emails to our off shore account while we are on passage - but be aware reciept is slow and problematic so please limit any emails to simple text only and remove any unwanted text (e.g. delete any text from any message you may be replying to, remove unnecessary signature text etc..)}

Normally the email account will be checked between 0630-0700 local-boat time, at the same time we send our daily contact email.

We WILL make Email or phone contact with both emergency contacts on safe arrival at destination

To make contact with us

There are several options to make contact with us

• VHF Channel 16 will be on at all times while underway (for nearby vessels) - option of MMSI calls, MMSI number is 367543090.
• CALL either of our mobile phones - we should have a signal for much of the trip (but not guaranteed at all times)
• EMAIL (text only) to our off-shore account - WDG5081 at Sailmail DOT com (note: we ONLY check this account regularly whilst on a passage, if you send to this email address generally we may not check/see it until next passage. For general email use our standard emails.)
• Any email to Maryanne's normal gmail account will also be visible to us and we can choose to access it early/while offshore if it looks urgent/relevant (based on subject line and/or sender) - note we may not be able to view any attachments until arrival back in the land of normal internet signals.
• CALL our satellite phone/Iridium Go (Beware price to caller! and note we do not have the phone app on at all times)
• TEXT our satellite phone/Iridium Go using your internationl texting plan (beware price!) - or better still via a free URL - see satellite phone and note we do not have the phone app on at all times

Note: When out of range of cell phone signals, we retrieve emails (sailmail, and Maryanne's gmail) via our IridiumGo/satellite phone data plan, (Our Winlink/HAM account will act as backup); we have two separate working computers available for this purpose, and smart devices

Caution

Daily updates to position report, email downloads, etc, rely on a working computer, SSB/mobile/ satellite phone, power etc... all kinds of problems may prevent such updates so don't be unduly concerned if no reports are received from us, unless we are also past our scheduled arrival date/time.

We will attempt to contact our emergency contacts if anything CHANGES about our expected arrival date/time

Search And Rescue (SAR) varies by coutry/area - see SAR by country/area

USA US CoastGuard SAR - see their webpage.

Canadian SAR - see their web page

For Guidance on what to do if our assigned emergency contacts don't hear from us by the given dates - please see USCG FloatPlan - back page

We also carry boat insurance (With a Jackline policy), and emergency medical and evacuation support (etc) with Dan Boater. Both of these may be of help in the event of any emergency.

Sarah K. (Sister)

Location

England, UK (UTC, with Daylight savings seasonally (UTC+1): from last Sunday in March to Last Sunday in October)

Phone / Email

Made available to emergency contacts and required authorities (e.g. EPIRB registration information)

Pauline L. (Friend) along with Jan and Richard M. (Friends)

Location

England, UK (UTC, with Daylight savings seasonally (UTC+1): from last Sunday in March to Last Sunday in October)

Phone / Email

Made available to emergency contacts and required authorities (e.g. EPIRB registration information)

Boat Name

Begonia See pictures .

Registered Home Port

Portland, OR (USA)

Documented #

USCG No. 1241087

Year and Make

2001 Fountaine Pajot - Athena 38'

Length

11.6m (38 feet)

Type

Sloop rigged Sailing Catamaran - mast height 19.14m (59' 6")

Width

6.4m (21 feet)

Draft

1.2m (3.5 feet) draft

Hull material

Fibreglass

Hull Color

White

Features

Catamaran has Blue sail covers/trim (all sails and sail cover replaced in 2024), boat has a black trampoline (fitted 2022) at foredeck, wind generator at stb rear, hard solar panels on rear centre, and additional 3 flexible solar panels on Blue canvas Cockpit Bimini.

Reflective SOLAS tape patches on mast, wind generator post, sides, and underside.

White plastic hatch covers may be installed (generally removed when on passage, but they can be seen in most of the pictures)

Bright yellow Portland Pudgy dinghy (stored in davits under solar panel, and with gray cover when underway on passage).

Portland Pudgy dingy/life raft See pictures

Vessel - Propulsion

Sails

Main Sail, Roller-furler Jib, and additional (optional) head sails

• Spinnaker - starcut: White with blue edges and red central arms - no numbers see pictures

Engine/Outdrive

2x Yanmar 2GM20-93

Vessel - Communication

Radio Call sign

Vessel: WDG5081 - but generally answer to 'Begonia'

DSC MMSI #

367543090

VHF Radio Type

Fixed - Standard Horizon GX2100
Handheld simple VHF also

AIS

We have AIS transponder aboard, generally on all the time (except at anchor), and reporting using our MMSI number (367543090) See Tracking Links for most recent picked up report

HAM and SSB - ICOM IC-M700Pro

Call signs - Kyle: AI4QH
Maryanne: AI4QI

No specific channels monitored, used for email, position reports, and weather reports (but available to transmit in an emergency)

HAM/SSB radio (with pactor/computer connections and Winlink/Sailmail accounts)

VHF Channels Monitored

VHF Channel 16, only monitored when underway

EPIRB

See Safety Section Below

Mobile Cell Phones

Note: cell phones aboard, but unless otherwise reported you should assume these have no active signal. Sometimes not even a valid SIM card especially on passages between countries)

Off Shore Daily Email Account

Email account used off shore has been made available to contacts. For details see contacts

{Note: email reciept is slow and problematic so please limit any emails to simple text only from approved contacts and remove any unwanted text (e.g. prior message you may be replying to)}

Iridium Satellite Phone #

We have an Iridium Go aboard which is a satellite communications device. The Phone number is +8816 5246 1627 HOWEVER it is not always in phone mode (due to power conservation). It is an expensive international rate for you to call us, so we give this number primarily as an emergency (or text/SMS) option. Primarily intended for for our emergency contacts to use.

Any message to the sat phone should come ONLY from friends and family and those directly involved in any emergency/rescue situation, and be kept short and to the point - no JOURNALISTS or other curious folk as extra messages can severely disrupt any emregency communications (Journalists my use an apporpriate email address)

To access From North America: dial 011 8816 5246 1627. or from UK: 00 8816 5246 1627 ** Check rates **

Phone will receive text messages and will record voice mail if necessary (even if not turned on at time of call or text)

To send a text message without charge using this web site (using the phone number: 881652461627) - You are limited to 120 characters and please include your name so we know who sent it :-) - but be aware we are not used to getting text messages and emails are probably 'best'

It is also possible to email our Iridium Go boat account: Begonia AT myiridium DOT net (please keep it short) - but our 'at sea' email address is preferred and will most likely get a faster response

We will expect to turn on the Satellite phone daily between the hours of 0630-0700 local / boat time. Text messages and voice messages can be sent any time but only received once we actually connect! For non-urgent messages to be sent to us at sea (by named contacts only), the offshore email account is best to use (jokes, photos, etc can be sent to our 'normal' email account so we don't waste sat phone minutes to receive them - these accounts will be checked once standard internet is available).

Weather Monitoring

• We download area grib files daily when possible (via email via cell/sat.phone) for processing via software such as qtVlm, again using forecast along with boat polars to select the best route
• We subscribe to PredictWind and replot a route daily based on weather condition and boat polars (and take its recommendataions along with our own calculations to determine a plan)
• We monitor VHF channels for weather reports
• When in range of a cell phone service, we use various additional apps and web sites for weather reporting

Vessel - Navigation

Aids to Navigation aboard

• Paper Guidebooks / independent electronic Charts of expected areas
• Electronic Charts through Navionics on main chartplotter and on 2x smartphones
• Area charts, and selected Satellite images, through OpenCPN on 2 laptops and/or via Zulu Offline on smart phones
• Compass
• GPS (3 built into boat systems and 3 handhelds)
• Depth Sounder
• Sextant, tables & star charts (with timekeeping)
• Tide and Current tables

Dinghy/Life boat

Bright yellow Portland Pudgy dinghy (stored in davits under solar panel)

Dinghy is NOT currently in Life raft mode (considered not required for expected passage)

When dinghy in life raft mode is actually deployed, it has a bright orange canopy cover with roll up doors to port and starboard.

If sailing kit rigged, it has a bright orange sail (no numbers).

Portland Pudgy dingy/life raft See pictures

Visual Distress

• Flares
• 2 x AURORA Para Red Rocket Signal Flare - Expire 2024-03
• Selection of additional expired flares
• 2 x AURORA Red Handheld Signal Flare - Expire 2023-12
• 2 x AURORA Orange Handsmoke Signal Flare - Expire 2023-12
• 2 x AURORA Orange Handsmoke Signal Flare - Expire 2023-11
• 2 x COMET brand 40second Red Parachute Flare - Expire 2020-11
• 2 x COMET brand 60second Orange Smoke Flare/Torch - Expire 2020-11
• 4 x COMET brand 60second Red Handheld Smoke Flare - Expire 2020-10
• 1xDye Marker
• 6 x SOLAS Red Parachute Flare - Expire 2016-10
• 6 x SOLAS Red Handheld Flare - Expire 2016-11
• 2 x SOLAS Orange Smoke Signal Cannisers - Expire 2016-11
• Mixed Flare Kit in Dinghy/Life Raft
• Distress Flag
• Flashlights / Searchlights
• Signal Mirror

Audible Distress

• Loud Hailer option on VHF
• Horn
• Whistles
• Lifetag linked to Chartplotter MOB alarm

LifeBoat/Dinghy Combined

9' Portland Pudgy - bright yellow hard dinghy with orange sail (if deployed).

EPIRB / PLB

Manual Deploy, ACR RLB-41 Global fix, built in GPS - UIN- 2DCCB 1F0E4 FFBFF - Registration Expires Apr 2025, Battery good thru' 2033

Manual Deploy, ACR PLB-400 Aqualink View PLB, built in GPS - UIN- 2DCEB 90FB6 FFBFF - Registration Expires Feb 2029, Battery Good thru Feb-2029

Older Manual Deploy, ACR RLB-35 Global fix, built in GPS - UIN-2DCC5 68F86 FFBFF - Registration Expires Nov 2023, Battery replaced by user Dec 2020 and self test is good (tested before sail)

Older Manual Deploy, ACR PLB-350C Aqualink View PLB, built in GPS - UIN-2DCE6 80DBC FFBFF - Registration Expires Nov 2023

Drogue

Gale Rider Drogue

Extreme Weather Gear

Foul Weather gear and sun protection, shade and shelter aboard

Radar Reflector

Tri-Lens radar reflector mounted on mast. (Standard Size)

Ground Tackle

Primary Anchor - 65lb S140 Spade Anchor

Secondary Anchor - 22lb Danforth

75m (245') of chain and additional line at the ready.

Sailing Safety Gear

Jacklines, preventers, tethers

Other Safety Gear

• Lifetag system connected to chartplotter (with 5 remotes for crew)
• Water activated strobe lights for crew
• 2x PFDs (type II)
• 2x PFDs with auto inflate (type V) with harness
• 5x Throwable cushions (type IV)
• 2x Throw lines installed on lifelines
• MOB Pole
• Lifesling installed on lifelines
• Barometer

Kyle Webb

Date Of Birth

Dec 15 1967

Sex

Male

Can Swim

Yes

Experience With boat

Conducted multilple previous multi-week ocean passages, Experience with this boat: 18,000+ hours (87,000+ nm), including circumnavigation. Additional extensive experience in prior boats also (including ocean passage making)

Experience With Area

Has sailed within this part of the Atlantic Ocean/USA previously

Special Medical Conditions

Experiences vomiting/hallucinatory side effects with the anti-nausea medication Droperidol (Dropletan, Dridol or Inapsine); Droperidol is a butyrophenone

Regular Medication

None

Nationality

US Citizen

Maryanne Webb

Date Of Birth

Sep 13 1966

Sex

Female

Can Swim

Yes

Experience With boat

Conducted multilple previous multi-week ocean passages, Experience with this boat: 18,000+ hours (87,000+ nm), including circumnavigation. Additional extensive experience in prior boats also (including ocean passage making)

Experience With Area

Has sailed within this part of the Atlantic Ocean/USA previously

Special Medical Conditions

Severe skin contact allergies: Sticking plasters (Band-Aids) / latex / Pine Oil / etc.. - requires steroids (typically 60mg Prednisone, daily for upto a week) to stop reaction

Prone to ear infections.

Regular Medication

None

Nationality

British Citizen & (naturalized) USA Citizen