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We left Lae...
January 13, 2009
Today at around noon local time, GLAXINIA pulled anchor and we left the port of Lae. All that waiting game was over. "Estimated time of arrival, Thursday 1400 hours," announced Captain Hermenio Fotanilla. He had plotted the course east from Lae, then around the Huon Peninsula heading northwest toward the put-in site.
The relatively sheltered Huon Gulf extends inland due west about 50 nm from the peninsula. The peninsula defines the southwest edge of the Vitiaz Strait as the land on the New Guinea side turns northwest. To the north are the Umboi Island and New Britain. This land constriction amplifies the winds and the currents in these waters.
As soon as we turned the corner into the Vitiaz Strait, a 30-35 knot headwind greeted us. White caps were all around, swells were coming toward us. The bow smashed against these at a regular beat, sending white spray up and over. The wind drove the spray across our deck, high up to the bridge. We were protected while sitting outside on the rear deck, doing laundry under the shelter of the extended upper deck.
I tried taking a few pictures and capturing some video, but when the most impressive spray kicked up, I was duckng to protect my equipment. The camera housing and spray cover were all in the cabin of my boat, now under intense spray... With a two knot favorable current, wind on my stern and following seas, this was going to be a fast ride the next time.
The wait was not for naught when PRIMROSE arrived at Lae and anchored near us over the weekend. Sunday afternoon, when they tied alongside, I was able to see friends gained from May when I spent two weeks on that ship. While most crews were on vacation or rotation, Captain Pagaran, ableman Alejandro and cook Danny were there.
I was invited over for a few snacks on their rear deck. This area used to be open, and now the upper deck had been extended to provide a shaded area for tables. Before the options were limited to the small mess room and cabins, with no obvious gathering place. "That's the helicopter pad," Captain Pagaran explained pointing his finger up at the white painted steel shade. While in GenSan in November, they had built this addition. "You were going to come in November, I could give you your own cabin, to come together." Alas, the northwest monsoons had looked more promising in December.
We spent a pleasant afternoon together on PRIMROSE, catching up on each other, then it was time to return to my own quarters on GLAXINIA. Who knows when I could see these men again. I keep saying "the world is small" to give me hope, which also helps me think that one day this around the world journey will also be completed.
Erden.
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Captain Pagaran came alongside on PRIMROSE. He had carried me to the Philippines in May.
30+ knot headwinds from the northwest greeted us in the Vitiaz Strait.
