Leg 16, Santa Barbara to Monterey

Bluewater remained in Santa Barbara for 2 weeks, starting Thursday 8/20/2015. Liz & Amanda took the train home on Monday 8/24 where Amanda started 4th grade. Mark left Bluewater in Santa Barbara and returned to Belmont in a rental car on Friday 8/28. Mark stopped in to see our friend Kevin Mulholland who is recovering amazingly. Mark drove the rental car back to Santa Barbara on Friday September 4, 2015 with crewmembers Michael and Geoff.

Saturday September 5, 2015

During the downtime, the jib was repaired locally in Santa Barbara (a batten pocket ripped on Leg 14 so the sail was removed from the boat, re-sewn and returned). First order of business, the jib is up and rigged. Second order of business, the sailors enjoyed breakfast at Sambo's and then filled two 14 gallon portable gas tanks (the main tanks are full, 14 gallons on port / almost 14 gallons on starboard plus they have about 13 gallons in the bow locker in smaller tanks 5/5/3) before returning the rental car.

The Original Sambo's in Santa Barbara

Geoff must have drawn the short straw and is in the backseat escorting the fuel.
"Aaahhh, the  smell of fresh fuel in the morning!"

Departure date:  Saturday September 5, 2015
Departure time from Santa Barbara:  9:35 am 9/5/15
3 souls aboard:  Mark Barrish, Michael Sevy, Geoff Wiggs
Santa Barbara weather:  calm, clear skies, 3 knots of wind and temp in mid-70's
Segment 1 of 4:  Santa Barbara to Cojo Anchorage
Arrival time in Cojo Anchorage:  4:50pm 9/5/15
Distance:  39.9nm
Time enroute:  approx 7hrs 15 min


Here is an overview of Leg 16:  4 separate segments over a span of 3 days for a total of (approx) 212.9 nm in 50 hours 40 minutes underway.

Bluewater's Leg 16:  Santa Barbara to Monterey September 5-7, 2015
No stops per se except an overnight anchorage at Cojo

Motoring west (heading northward), looking back toward Santa Barbara
10:23am 9/5/15

Glassy conditions
Looking toward UC Santa Barbara
11am 9/5/15

1:00pm Sat 9/5 update received by text from Mark:

"Geoff made us all an awesome tuna sandwich lunch right after his 9-12 watch ended. Michael is tending the boat lines while we continue motoring west along the coast (and into less than 5 knots of breeze). All is good on Bluewater, but no fish yet."

GPS location of Bluewater from Mark's iPhone

Michael tending the boat lines (AKA fishing)
1pm 9/5/15

2:26 pm Sat 9/5 another update:

"We currently have about 7 knots of wind on the nose. No real point to putting up the sails but it has not slowed us down much as we are still making about 6 knots steaming with both motors along the beautiful clear coastline.  101 is just headed inland ahead of us and we have seen a fair amount of oil seepage in the water (and bubbling up) from the May 2015 Oil Spill.  The swells are up a touch but still less than 3 feet and with a mixed period. No problems to date--just steaming along toward Cojo."

And

"Skunked no more:  Michael and Geoff brought a lovely Bonito aboard off Gaviota. We will be BBQing fish at Cojo!"

Geoff and the first fish!
2:10pm 9/5/15

Geoff catches another one!
2:41pm 9/5/15

5:15pm Sat 9/5:  Leg 16 has checked in safe & sound in Cojo Anchorage

Along the way, they slowed down (as expected) with 15-20 knots of wind on the nose (as predicted).  Nonetheless, they arrived in Cojo Anchorage, set the anchor (twice actually), let out 8 to 1 scope, attached the bridle, and are about to set the anchor alarm. The wind is blowing steady at 18-19 knots right in the anchorage (as expected).

Texting worked fine and we also enjoyed good reception on a phone call. Their job is to eat and rest. I (Liz) am expecting a text at midnight when they set off again if the wind is calm.

Bluewater tucked into Cojo Anchorage

Sunset at Cojo Anchorage
7:50pm 9/5/15

Mark's 8:30pm bedtime report by phone to Amanda was that the wind had calmed down to 5 knots in Cojo Anchorage. The crew enjoyed dinner and were resting after a beautiful sunset.

Just after midnight, Mark reported by text:  "FYI Bluewater is delaying our departure from Cojo. We have about 6-9 knots here but the west channel weather buoy is reporting 19 knots from the NW outside the point. We will check again at 1:30.

Another text:  "Deferred again till 3:15. Calm here but still blowing outside."

And yet another:  "Still here. Will look again at 5:30am."

Sunday September 6, 2015

Departure date:  Sunday September 6, 2015

Departure time from Cojo Anchorage:  4:35 am per Michael (Mark reported 5:05am)

3 souls aboard:  Mark Barrish, Michael Sevy, Geoff Wiggs

Cojo Anchorage departure conditions:  5 knots from the east
Segment 2 of 4:  Cojo Anchorage to Cambria
Arrival Time just off Cambria:  7:35pm 9/6/15
Distance:  83.8nm
Time enroute:  14 hrs 32 min

Geoff on duty
6:41am 9/6/15

8:37am Sun 9/6 text from Michael:

"Geoff's asleep and Mark's asleep. I guess that means I'm on watch :-) Seas are behaving and I'm trying to get something out of the main. There's a boat off to port that left before us and we had been chasing. A Ketch."

Making progress North

Looks like a pirate ship!

10:33 am Sun 9/6 text from Mark:

"We are closing in on Point Sal with about four knots of wind just off our port bow (onshore). Seas have been moderate and mellow, sky is clear and the crew is in great shape. Geoff took the first watch between Pts Conception and Arguello and is now resting.  Michael is almost done with his 8-11 watch and I will take over soon. Lots of dolphins and birds, a few whales and seals, and a few mola-mola thrown in just for fun. All is well in Bluewater."

Michael on duty
10:30am 9/6/15

Bluewater closing in on Point Sal
10:41am 9/6/15

View off Bluwater's port bow
11:16am 9/6/15

11:37am Sun 9/6 text from Michael:

"Dodging crab pots off Pt Sal."

Mark across the solar panels

Mark off Point Sal

2:34 pm Sun 9/6

3:21pm Sun 9/6

3:48 pm Sun 9/6

Incremental progress experienced by some, observed by others (yes, I'm a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to monitoring the sailors).

Coastal view (toward Los Osos?)
3:38pm 9/6/15

Watch duties 9/6/15:

3-6pm Geoff's Watch

6-9pm Michael

9pm-midnight Mark

4:06pm Sun 9/6 from Mark:

"I tried to call but could not get through. I had a great nap (over half an hour) when we were passing pt buchon and woke up to glassy seas, less than 4 knots of wind, and a crew that had already voted to continue north past Morro Bay. We are pointed toward San Simeon under both motors. The sails are down to prevent slapping. We have been catching loads of skipjacks but nothing else. All is good."

View from Bluewater cruising north past Morro Rockand the 3 power plant smokestacks
photo from Geoff's Facebook Page (thanks!)

I (Liz) can only assume that they will be resting in San Simeon and continuing on to Monterey tonight/tomorrow. I was unable to get through (either by text or phone) for clarification.

4:37pm Sun 9/6 Clarification from Mark:

"Yes, we are heading toward Monterey. We will not likely stop at San Simeon, but could if we wanted to let an afternoon breeze blow out or decided to anchor for dinner. Neither is likely needed. Our plan is to be in Monterey tomorrow before nightfall, hopefully by 5ish."

5:53pm Sun 9/6

7:01pm Sun 9/6 Michael texted:

"Passing Cambria ("hello, Kevin")"
"Just finished a pasta dinner (thank you Geoff) and were entertained by dozens of Dolphins"

View of Cambria from Bluewater heading north
7:00pm 9/6/15 Passing Cambria ("hello,Kevin")
Photo from Michael

Just off Cambria, CA
7:03pm 9/6/15

7:30pm Sun 9/6 call from Mark:

Mark said everything is going well. He is thrilled to have Michael and Geoff on board. Food and fishing are great, though too many skip jacks.

Departure date:  Sunday September 6, 2015 7:35pm

Departure time from Cambria:

3 souls aboard:  Mark Barrish, Michael Sevy, Geoff Wiggs

Segment 3 of 4:  Cambria to just off Point Lopez
Arrival Time Point Lopez 3:10am 9/7/15
Distance:  approx 43.7 nm
Time enroute:  7 hrs 49 min

8:21pm Sun 9/6 text from Michael:

"Can see "Hotel California" (aka Hearst Castle)"

Fueling up!
Mark is lying on the port lazarette filling Bluewater's fuel tank;
Michael is assisting from the portable fuel tank with a head lamp
8:40pm 9/6/15

Midnight Sun 9/6 - I see by accessing Mark's shared GPS on his phone
that they are making good progress toward Monterey

Early morning watch duties on Labor Day:

Midnight-3am Geoff's Watch

3am-6am Michael

6am-10am Mark

Monday September 7, 2015 Happy Labor Day!

5:59am 9/7/25

6:05am 9/7/15

 Here is an early morning video from Bluewater motoring north past Point Sur Lighthouse:

6:28am 9/7/15

6:30am 9/7/15

7:51am 9/7/15

GPS position Monday 9/7/2015 7:52am

Departure date:  Monday September 7, 2015

Departure time from Lucia (Point Lopez):  3:10 am

3 souls aboard:  Mark Barrish, Michael Sevy, Geoff Wiggs

Lucia conditions:
Segment 4 of 4:  Lucia (Point Lopez) to Monterey
Arrival Time:  12:14am
Distance: 45.5 nm
Time enroute:  9 hrs 4 min

7:53am Monday 9/7/2015 Mark texted:

"Good morning from bluH2o!! This is our current view of point Lobos. Hope all goes well with you."

View of Point Lobos

8am Monday 9/7/2015 phone call from Mark:

Mark called just before 8am and said his crew is fantastic! Great trip, lumpy in sections, surprising rougher seas before unexpected points (no problem past Point Sur but Point San Martin and Point Lopez had slow rollers mixed with waves bouncing off cliffs). They also saw bioluminescence on the water (when the water glows). They've been eating well and sharing watches. As we talked, Mark saw a sea otter playing 10 feet off the port bow. Now this:  a Mola Mola (aka sunfish)!

Mola Mola sighting!

Odd shaped cute thing!

Mola Mola (aka sunfish)

8:36am off Point Lobos

Per Mark, this photo is supposed to show Carmel-Pebble Beach-Cypress Point
8:54am 9/7/15

Geoff in the galley, making coffee - soon to be cooking pancakes
8:56am 9/7/15

Michael 8:57am 9/7/15

Approaching Monterey 10:55am 9/7/15

Lots of texting/emailing/phone calling regarding dock availability at a marina in Monterey. In the end, it all worked out.

Monday September 7, 2015 12:01 pm

"pb wrote

Liz called and asked that I send this (about 11:00 PDT) arrival report for Bluewater, Skipper and crew who arrived safely in what may be a class record elapsed time for the Santa Barbara to Monterey passage by a Seawind 1000 albeit with some motoring. While there were many miles covered, initial reports are the crew survived well and food service was augmented by fresh catch en route.
A Monterey fiesta is being conducted to honor the mariners. while Liz is on the way to provide ground transport back to Bay Area; Bluewater will complete the transit back to Coyote Point after crew R & R.
Paul Barrish CAPTAIN USN (RET)
pbarrish@verizon.net
Silicon Valley Chapter MOAA

http://www.siliconvalleymoaa.org."

Post Arrival 10:43pm 9/7/15

Thanks Paul!
I really ought to delegate more often. You have a colorful flair with the information!
Amanda was spoiled today with a playdate with her friend Bebe and Bebe's Mom Nancy. They went swimming on a hot day.
I picked up the guys and they were tired but happy to have completed the journey. They enjoyed all the craziness. We ran into some holiday traffic but enjoyed a meal at the Whole Enchilada in Moss Landing before shuttling back to cars.
Stay tuned as we figure out the rest of the plan to return Bluewater to Coyote Point.
Liz out

Michael in Monterey
1:35pm 9/7/15

Geoff in Monterey
1:39pm 9/7/15

Successful arrival in Monterey:  Sailors Geoff, Michael, Mark
1:40pm 9/7/15

Empty fuel tanks