Media Release No 3 Eco-Marine Challenge Update

Eco Marine Challenge update 1930 hrs 20-2-04

Full details of voyage and previous news on website www.icecat.com.au

Evening of 19-02-04
Just after a hearty meal an unexpected trough brought 25 knot southerly winds which soon created a very confused sea.

Revs were cut dropping speed to 10 knots but still produced a snappy rough motion.

Skipper Bill Brosnan and scribe Terry Travers were both violently ill.

We bashed south all night – the engine hatches leaked setting off the water alarms in the engine compartments. Fixed by Robin and Bruce using duct tape.

At 8.00 am this morning conditions started to moderate to a 10 knot easterly but still confused seas. Boat speed back up to 14.5 knots.

At 1030 am we dipped the fuel tanks and read the log – achieving average of 14.5 knots and an estimated fuel consumption of 1.6 litres per nautical mile.

By midday running before 20 knot North easterly hand steering as the sea state was too much for the autopilot

1900 position 34 21.5 S 151 27.6 E which is well to sea E of Wollongong – just outside mobile phone range.

Top surf for the day has been 22.9 knots with a queezy Terry Travers on the helm.

We’re now waiting for the forecast front and the south westerly winds after it arrives. We’re tracking in to close the coast at Jervis Bay in the hope of some shelter in the lee of the land until the front clears and more NW winds arrive – if the prediction is correct.

Signed Terry Travers, on board Foreign Affair.

See www.icecat.com.au or phone Robin 0427 667 055 or Terry 0408 188 683