Our daughter’s first overnight passage – St. Lucia to St. Maarten

We’ve enjoyed sailing as a family for many years. Our adult children love the water, the outdoors, and travel of all kinds, and the six of us sail and travel on Mira at least once or twice every year. Usually short day sails around a favorite Caribbean island, so we were excited when our daughter recently shared her dream of sailing across the Atlantic with us.  We love that she has a passion for sailing and outdoor adventure, and we invited her to join us for an “intro passage” – a 2 night, 275 mile passage from St. Lucia to St. Maarten on Mira.

So …. in late March, she took a week’s vacation from work and met us in St. Lucia.  A quick few days of showing her our favorite St Lucia spots for sightseeing and hiking, and we were off!  Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, was left behind at 5:30 pm on Monday, and Mira arrived in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten, at 9:00 am on Wednesday. The remainder of her vacation week was spent working on the boat and some restful, sunny beach and pool time.

Kelly got a good sense of what an overnight offshore passage can be like! We sailed the entire way with strong beam winds never below 20 knots, and some pretty aggressive waves on the beam as well.  A couple of waves even splashed over the bow for added excitement, as Mira happily rolled her way up the Caribbean chain.

For night watches, Glenn and I don’t usually do the conventional 3 or 4 hours on and 3 or 4 hours off schedule. Because Glenn can sleep anytime, anywhere – I usually take the first long watch from 8 pm to 1:00 am or so.  Then, he watches from 1:00 am to 6:00 am, while I sleep. Kelly took watch with me from 8 pm to 11 pm then slept 4 hours and watch with Glenn from 3 am to 6 am. On the job training!

The passage was going very well. Despite strong wind and waves, the sail plan was stable – no dramatic increase in winds or change in wind direction was predicted.  There were a few tankers and cruise ships sprinkled around the AIS display, but otherwise not a lot of ship traffic. Kelly loves the night sky and was feeling quite comfortable watching the wind speed and direction, sails, and instrument screens, even in the pitch dark. In fact, when I came up early one morning around 5 am to relieve Glenn, I discovered him sound asleep in the salon! Panicked, I discovered Kelly perched alone on the helm seat – carefully watching the ship traffic  – scrutinizing the AIS and radar screens with Mira bouncing around underneath her! She was happy as a clam!

I think the Atlantic crossing might be in her future!

Pam

Leaving St. Lucia behind, heading out to sea!

Kelly enjoying her galley duty!

Approaching the bridge opening into Simpson Bay lagoon in St. Maarten.

The captain at the helm.

Some much-needed R&R at the pool at the Simpson Bay Yacht Club marina.

The stunning beach on Simpson Bay.

Beach day at the super-fun Karakter Beach Bar.

Loading our new anchor chain – all 300ft

Kelly went up Mira’s mast to check on the electronic instruments.

Hiking the Pic Paradis at Loterie Farm in French Ste. Martin.

Outstanding views from the top – looking over Marigot Bay.