Satori in Perfect Storm
On Assignment in Williamstown MA
As some may know, I came to own Christa, a 1975 Westsail32 due to my experiences while stationed at Point Judith Rhode Island during the famed Perfect Storm. Back in the day it was known, simply as the Halloween Storm of 91. I came across this video, of Satori, also a 1975 Westsail32, shot from one of the old H-3 Pelicans. Really good stuff. The seas are magnificent and the boats performance is equally magnificent. The key to remember in my opinion, is Satori was not in distress. She was technically "hove to," but really from the video, you can see she is fore-reaching just a little bit. Notice how squared away the decks are. Everything lashed down, including the mainsail and boom to the boom gallows.
The crew was in the grips of fear, which is perfectly understandable. I can only imagine how exhausted and fatigued the crew must be. The desire to get out of that situation could overwhelm the saltiest of dogs.
If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it. Really fast read and tells an interesting story.
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
Showing posts with label Point Judith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Point Judith. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Thursday, September 13, 2007
John Gamble Guest Entry
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Well, my time aboard Christa is coming to a close. She is a stout vessel and Christian was smart to choose her for his travels. My trip began at Point Judith, Rhode Island, where, coincidentally, was where I met Christian. I was stationed at PJ from 1989 to 1993 and Chris and I were often on the same duty schedule, making him my immediate supervisor. Like so many, I'm a big fan of his. So, from Point Judith Pond we left for Long Island. We did a fair bit of motoring for the first days of the trip. As you've probably read here, we were held up in LI waiting for weather and a bit of engine/ battery reworking. Leaving Long Island was great as the weather seemed to be on our side for a good portion of the following 27 hour leg. Our trip through the East River was surreal. I've been to NYC many, many times, but this trip felt like we were sailing into Hong Kong or some far off destination. Then, passing the Statue of Liberty we were continued to be helped along by a favorable current and Capt. Chris' planning. We scooted by Lady Liberty and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at a significant clip. Next thing I knew, we were sailing under an incredible star filled sky. No moon, just billions of stars. Chris had put up Big Bob (his custom made spinnaker rig that he couldn't stop ogling) and we were making impressive use of the light winds. One of the highlights of the night sail (as Chris likely mentioned) was a small pod of dolphins that were illuminated under water by the phosphorescence. Glowing dolphins is a sight to see. They were playing in the bow wave and as always, disappeared the second I broke out the video camera. For the last 10 to 12 hours of the 27 hour leg, we saw lots of the USCG. Two Dolphin helo's, a C-130 and a 47 foot small boat. We happened to sail right through the middle of a search for a poor fellow that had dumped his kayak and apparently hadn't returned to the beach. As we sailed into Atlantic City the search appeared to be winding down. We kept a vigilant lookout, but to no avail. We finished the trip with a walk along the boardwalk in AC (not for the faint of heart). After a nice peaceful sail, there is nothing like walking through a casino full of ringing slot machines and cigarette smoke. Well, my feelings for Atlantic City aside, this was an incredible journey. The last time I sailed with Christian, we were caught in a nasty gale that lasted well over 36 hours (between Catalina and Santa Cruz Island aboard my father's sloop, Iris, with my father and two college friends - we can talk about that another day). Needless to say, this trip was a joy and Chris is maintaining the vessel as though she were his flesh and blood. I yearn for the next opportunity to join the two of them. I'm thinking warm water, big fish and Spanish speaking locals... or frankly whenever he'll allow me back aboard. Many thanks to Christian and the S/V Christa for taking such good care of me and for letting me share a small piece of Chris' (soon to be fulfilled) dream of sailing the world's oceans. Fair winds and following seas, John Gamble
Well, my time aboard Christa is coming to a close. She is a stout vessel and Christian was smart to choose her for his travels. My trip began at Point Judith, Rhode Island, where, coincidentally, was where I met Christian. I was stationed at PJ from 1989 to 1993 and Chris and I were often on the same duty schedule, making him my immediate supervisor. Like so many, I'm a big fan of his. So, from Point Judith Pond we left for Long Island. We did a fair bit of motoring for the first days of the trip. As you've probably read here, we were held up in LI waiting for weather and a bit of engine/ battery reworking. Leaving Long Island was great as the weather seemed to be on our side for a good portion of the following 27 hour leg. Our trip through the East River was surreal. I've been to NYC many, many times, but this trip felt like we were sailing into Hong Kong or some far off destination. Then, passing the Statue of Liberty we were continued to be helped along by a favorable current and Capt. Chris' planning. We scooted by Lady Liberty and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at a significant clip. Next thing I knew, we were sailing under an incredible star filled sky. No moon, just billions of stars. Chris had put up Big Bob (his custom made spinnaker rig that he couldn't stop ogling) and we were making impressive use of the light winds. One of the highlights of the night sail (as Chris likely mentioned) was a small pod of dolphins that were illuminated under water by the phosphorescence. Glowing dolphins is a sight to see. They were playing in the bow wave and as always, disappeared the second I broke out the video camera. For the last 10 to 12 hours of the 27 hour leg, we saw lots of the USCG. Two Dolphin helo's, a C-130 and a 47 foot small boat. We happened to sail right through the middle of a search for a poor fellow that had dumped his kayak and apparently hadn't returned to the beach. As we sailed into Atlantic City the search appeared to be winding down. We kept a vigilant lookout, but to no avail. We finished the trip with a walk along the boardwalk in AC (not for the faint of heart). After a nice peaceful sail, there is nothing like walking through a casino full of ringing slot machines and cigarette smoke. Well, my feelings for Atlantic City aside, this was an incredible journey. The last time I sailed with Christian, we were caught in a nasty gale that lasted well over 36 hours (between Catalina and Santa Cruz Island aboard my father's sloop, Iris, with my father and two college friends - we can talk about that another day). Needless to say, this trip was a joy and Chris is maintaining the vessel as though she were his flesh and blood. I yearn for the next opportunity to join the two of them. I'm thinking warm water, big fish and Spanish speaking locals... or frankly whenever he'll allow me back aboard. Many thanks to Christian and the S/V Christa for taking such good care of me and for letting me share a small piece of Chris' (soon to be fulfilled) dream of sailing the world's oceans. Fair winds and following seas, John Gamble
Sunday, April 1, 2007
My U.S. Coast Guard Career
I spent 20 years serving in the Coast Guard and retired as a Senior Chief Boatswains Mate (E-8) on February 1st 2008. Here is a brief snapshot of my Coast Guard carrer in pictures.
After graduating from Boot Camp, Seaman Allaire made his way to Seattle and homeport of my first ship, Polar Sea. My time aboard “Big Red” was incredible. I deployed aboard for “Deep Freeze 89″ for nearly 6 months in Antarctica.
Boot Camp Cape May New Jersey (Jan-Mar 1988)
USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB 11) Seattle Washington (Mar 1988-Feb 1990
After becoming aquanted with big ship operations and experiencing a whole new unknown world, it was time to cut my teeth in the Motor Life Boat World. I was transferred to Coast Guard Station Point Judith, Point Judith Rhode Island. It was during this stretch that I found I was actually a good boat driver and had some leadership skills to boot! I spent 3 years or so in the coastal search and rescue business.
Coast Guard Station Point Judith Rhode Island (Feb 1990-June 1992)
I then had tired of the winters of New Enlgand and jumped at the chance to go to sea again. I received orders to USCGC Washington (WPB 1331) homeported in Honolulu.
USCGC Washington (WPB 1331)
1992-1996
1992-1996
Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City California
1996-99
Coast Guard Group San Francisco
Located in the center of San Francisco Bay, I was a Search and Rescue Controller in the Command Center. A really great job, where my professional experience grew by leaps and bounds. I was on duty in the Command Center when 9/11 happened
Coast Guard Cutter Point Brower (WPB 82372)
My next assignment was the Executive Officer aboard the Point Brower. A 82 foot Patrol Boat also stationed at Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay. This was a post 9/11 job assignment and we mostly did Tanker and Cruise Ship escorts, boardings and security duties for Ammo on loads.
USCG Morgenthau (WHEC 722)
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