In position...
April 4, 2011 17.3961S,43.3109E
I had to spend almost 48 hours on bottom anchor before a southerly wind pattern finally weakened to let me move again yesterday morning. Tonight I am anchored near Vaucluse Bank, west of the island called Nosy Vao, about 36 nm away from nearest shore. I have reached the edge of Madagascar's continental shelf. I will commit to the crossing tomorrow morning.
Our weather expert Dane Clark wrote that a low pressure system apparently crossed over Madagascar bringing those southerly winds. He wrote to expect favorable easterly winds as a high pressure system would be trailing the prior low.
Dane was right. Today, partly because I am already fairly distant from the shore and partly because the forecast easterly winds were probably supressing any on shore sea breeze this afternoon, I was able to maintain a southwesterly course all the way to my anchor site. I even let the boat drift for about three hours after sunset while I was preparing this dispatch. I am also suspecting that I am beginning to experience the Mozambique Current.
I am posting a sketch of the currents that I had printed on March 23. If these are accurate and still valid, as I begin to move west, I will feel the pull of a clockwise current active between 16 and 18.5 south latitudes. Coupled with southeast winds that I expect further west and south, I should have a fast ride across. I believe Beira in central Mozambique is a possibility. I have marked alternatives as well, and SDV Mozambique is already expecting me. After the friendship and care that I found at SDV Madagascar, I know that my logistics will be in good hands.
In the meantime, our team is gathering to join me on Kilimanjaro. The mission of these volunteers will be to raise funds for the Mateves Secondary School in Arusha and to spend time with the students there.
Nancy tells me that my sponsor WorldClinic has now adopted her as well. Nancy will be receiving medications she may need while in Tanzania, including malaria pills. For good measure, WorldClinic is also sending Nancy the necessary compound to take in case she returns to Japan for more crisis work and is somehow is exposed to low level radiation.
WorldClinic was specifically established to address the medical needs of individuals who lead active lifestyles which takes them away from immediate medical care for extended periods of time. I carry a medical kit, specifically prepared for me by WorldClinic, with me while on expedition and have access to a doctor's advice 24/7 by satellite phone.
Erden. . .
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