The Delivery of Moi Noi Jodine, An Oyster 56

Moi Noi Jodine=Pretty Girl Jonanda, Deedie, Christine (Henry's Daughters)

Norfolk VA, to St Thomas, US VI

February 11-19, 2007

The opportunity to serve on crew for the delivery of Moi Noi Jodine started last Fall, when Henry and Estelle docked at Cobb's Marina in Norfolk, VA  while coming back from Newport R.I.   Terry saw this large sailboat, an Oyster 56, coming into the marina and assisted in tying up the lines. He also helped out Henry and Estelle with grocery runs, etc while Moi Noi Jodine was prepared to be put on the hard. Henry and Estelle are from South Africa and returned home. In January, Henry notified Terry that they were coming back to the US and they needed the boat moved from Norfolk to the US Virgin Islands.  They had hired a skipper with mate, but was looking for two additional crewmembers.  Terry immediately committed, and asked John to come on as crew also. On Thursday, before our scheduled departure on Sunday, the Skipper, Mike Rose, reported that his mate was ill and could not make the trip, so now we needed to find another crewmember who could take two weeks vacation starting in three days. That's when we signed up Raleigh, who is self-employed and as his own boss was able to take the time off.
	Terry, Mike, Henry, Estelle, John, and Raleigh Before Departing Norfolk
	Our Skipper, Mike Rose had a wealth of sailing experience. Twenty-six years in the Royal Navy retiring as a Master Chief, 10 years as a charter boat captain and about the last 12 years delivering sailboats. He has crossed the Atlantic east-west 22 times, north south (Caribbean-Newport RI) 12 times, transited 6,000 NM from San Francisco- Beaufort, NC through the Panama Canal and 10,000 miles from the UK through the Suez Canal to Malaysia.  Mike arrived in Norfolk the on Saturday night at midnight and we met him one hour before we departed. He became a great friend and sailing mentor.
Our route was fairly direct to Caribbean. When we departed we knew there would be some weather about Wednesday with 40 knot winds predicted. We were routed SW by Herb (see Journal) to avoid the worse of the weather, however we saw 10-12 foot seas and wind gusts to 50 knts. During the entire 1400 mile trip the wind was consistently forward of the beam and we were hitting the waves head on. We tacked twice, once to the SW and then back to the SE. Generally sailboats making crossings plan on 100 miles per day, however we averaged close to 200 miles with an average speed of 7.8 Knots/hour. We traveled at 9-10 knots over the ground (or sea) much of the time (in sailing this is supersonic speed!). We departed at 0900 Sunday and motored until 9:30 PM Monday night, then sailed until Saturday evening at 5:00 PM when the wind died. Later on it picked up, however was square on our bow. We motored the rest of the way to the USVI. The seas were glassy calm when we arrived in the Virgin Islands Monday morning. We entered the USVI at 0900 Monday morning, exactly eight days after we left.
	Our Route and Way Points
Upon arriving in the USVI, Henry and Estelle flew in from Miami where they had been at the Miami Boat Show. We spent Monday through Friday with them when we flew home for Norfolk. John, Terry, and Raleigh send our greatest regards for their friendship and hospitality.

Click here for Our Journal with Pictures
 
Video Clips.

Sunday - Departing Virginia Beach 2.4 Meg

Tuesday -  We're Sailing 2.4 Meg

Wednesday - Heavy Weather Sailing 5.8 Meg (Don't miss this one!)

Thursday - Sailing 5.5 Meg

Friday - Terry Fishing 2.4 Meg

Friday- Capt Mike Discussing the Weather 3.8 Meg

Saturday - John Fishing 2.4 Meg

Dolphins on the Bow! 6.5 Meg

Sunday Sunset - Looking for the Brilliant Green Flash  2.3 Meg The brilliant green flash occurs when the sky conditions are just right and the final rays of the setting sun refract through the atmosphere.