Waiting on Weather

In the vicinity of Cabo Frio at anchor waiting on weather, there is a high pressure system off the coast that has created 17 to 18 foot seas which is way out of our league to operate safely. Last night when we came in to anchor we were in 10 to 12 foot beam seas and 45 knot winds for our 6 hour transit which was not fun but all is OK now.

The Prainha (Portuguese for small beach, Praia is Large Beach) where we are anchored is a family vacation spot and is very nice, quiet and off the beaten path. These beaches do not have individual names according to our interpreter Helio (pronounced Ell - e - o). There is a small section at the end of the beach that costs $3.00 Reai's ($1.50 US) to enter but I have yet to figure out why, as the rest of the beach is free with plenty of restaurants, beach chairs and food and beverage service on the beach, emerald green water and sugar white sand that the shopkeepers keep clean by sweeping with brooms and raking. I found some really cool homemade paddles yesterday that looked hand carved in the men's restroom which serves double duty as a storage locker. There are vendors who sell their goods on the beach; yesterday I had green mussels that did not taste the greatest and also fresh Cashew nuts that were warmed and salted for $3.00 Reai, which were very good. There was a gentleman who walked down the beach with handheld portable BBQ that he used for making toasted cheese on a stick, perhaps I will try it today. I was able to get more souvenir's yesterday to add to my collection but would like to get more today.

When we go back to work I am hoping it will not last for more than 3 weeks so we can return to the US. I am missing Katie and Julia and Hayden and family and friends tremendously.

Laguna Rodrigo De Freitas

This is the lagoon as seen from Pico do Corcovado (Christ Statue). The strip of land is Barra Da Tijuca west of Rio proper as the crow flies. The brochures found at Pico do Corcovado claim the christ statue faces a similar statue in Portugal, in perfect true compass alignment actually which is pretty remarkable for the time before true compasses.

The islands in the background are Ilhas Tijucas. Tijucas is an old Indian name of the indigeneous people of Rio before settlement.

April 25th at Sea + More Pictures of Rio

Last night we had to move off of our work location due to weather. I thought I had anchoring down pretty well in the Coast Guard but have learned that I am a novice compared to other Captains who have been handling four anchors at a time for many years. Last night we picked up three of our anchors and are riding our port bow anchor as the weather is preventing work. We have winds out of the North East at 25 knots gusts to 30 and 8 to 10 foot seas - which is not too bad. However, When you factor in the water depth of 100 meters (328 ft) and the core sampling of 500 feet, the length of drill pipe adds up quickly. Last night we were 11 meters off of our location with 700 ft of drill pipe down and had to pull pipe back onto our work deck or risk bending the pipe and/or damaging the equipment. Now we are at anchor and riding nicely with our bow into the seas, waiting on the weather to cooperate which is a humbling experience as out here you realize quickly that you are always in the hands of Mother Nature or King Neptune if you prefer.

I miss everyone at home especially Katie, Julia and Hayden and can't wait to get back home in June and be with my family at our camp (Solitude) in St. Francisville, Louisiana where I have been going since I was a child and which holds special memories.

Best regards,
Ben Brown

Tuesday, April 24th

A black and white whale a little smaller than a full grown Killer Whale has been circling the boat for a few days now. I believe there is more than one as there is another Whale of similar size but with more white coloring than the other. Photo below. Next trip a bird and marine mammal book will be mandatory items when packing.

Little Whale circling the boat

Photo's of Rio and Whales

Entering Rio de Janero,

Christ Statue on Pico do Corcovado. March 12th, 2007 after a 31 day transit from the USA. As seen from M/V Discovery entering port. We wound up berthed in Niteroi across the harbor and had to take water taxis on and off the boat to get to Rio as we were berthed on Illa Do Viana.

S. Atlantic Ocean, Cabo Frio Brazil Coast

Can't believe that it has been nearly 60 days since my last posting. Since then I have been very busy delivering the vessel from Carmen Mexico to Galveston Texas, then accompanying my boss "The Master" as we traveled from from Galveston, Texas on March 13th across the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and SE along the S. American coastline until finally sailing into port in Rio De Janero on April 12th. There is not a whole lot to report about the trip other than the current being such a factor as we were sailing into it most of the time sometimes only making 5 or 6 knots which made the trip a few days longer than anticipated. We had a pretty mean side sea along the Nicaraguan Rise coming from the Windward passage during which we lost our moon pool cover and our port stern anchor along with the anchor bracket ! We had pilot Charts to take advantage of the currents but our Pilot Charts were for the N. Atlantic ocean only, we will try to get a new Pilot Chart for the S. Atlantic Ocean for the return trip.

Anyway I calculated all of our time changes including the N. American daylight savings time adjustment so when we arrived in Rio we were predictably 1 hour ahead. Clearing through Brazilian Customs was quite an experience as was the expense of berthing, divers and repairs. I find the Brazilian people to be quite friendly and nice to work with. We were actually berthed in Niteroi on Illa Do Viana at Renave Shipyard across the Bay from Rio and had to take advantage of water taxis to get back and forth from the ship to town. I am very glad I have an interpreter assigned to me as I report daily to the Brazilian Navy and Port Authorities on vessel movements and other written and radio requirements. I know a little Spanish and actually understand a lot but Portuguese is a whole different ballgame.

In Rio my favorite items were "Shop" which is draft beer, "Brama" which is a local brand of bottled beer and by far my favorite restaurant is the Churrascaria where there a roving waiter delivering all sorts of meat on a stick and unlimited Sushi.

All I have time for at the moment. Fixing the Furuno echo sounder.

Photos coming soon.

Smooth sailing,
Ben