Tom bailed after forced entry

Our MAIWAR articles have become numerous enough that we have given them their own dedicated page in our archive section. So if you need more of the back story on this incredible adventure just click HERE // Editor.

Here’s the latest update from Tom Robinson’s shore team with some comprehensive news on his progress.

In the shore team’s August update titled “Muchas Gracias” it was noted that with Maiwar in low latitudes close to the equator, the Equatorial Current now had Tom in her bosom. Little did we know just how long that bosom would cling to Tom.  After numerous attempts to come south, on Wednesday 14 September Maiwar, at a position 3 degrees south of the equator, commenced her long 400 nautical mile descent to the latitude of the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas.  By 25 September she had come south by some 60 nautical miles to be at 4 degrees south.  We thought she was well on the way … but that current kept Maiwar in her grip:  when it turned north so did Tom.  With the current now setting north west and with fresh south easterly winds Tom had no choice but to try to minimise the extent to which he would be carried north.

It was not until 21 October, after he had unwillingly been carried north by 120 nautical miles to 2 degrees south that he at last recommenced a downward course.  As Tom battles the currents and wind it’s clear that he will not make the Marquesas but will be forced to carry on to a new, more westward destination. He tells us that he’s in good health, has plenty of food and can make water if his bottled supplies are exhausted.  It’s now a matter of consulting the charts, plus the current and wind forecasts, to see what options are available to him.

 Whose idea was it to row
across the Pacific?

In mid-September, not long after Maiwar commenced her first descent, Tom gave the shore team a phone call (kindly at 1am our time).  This was the first time we had spoken since before he left Lima on 2 July.  He sounded relaxed and in good spirits as if he was anywhere but on a boat in the middle of nowhere.  He said his best daily run had been 49.9 nautical miles.  He also told us that in a 25 knot breeze some rapid bailing was required after a large wave put Maiwar on her beam ends (on her side) and made a forced entry into his cabin.

(Some) supplies are running low

A most surprising piece of news from Tom during that phone call was that he was running out of one of his most important items … writing paper.  Those who know Tom know he’s a keen writer.  One does wonder what he’s writing about if he’s almost depleted his paper supply so early in the trip.  Based on his skill at catching seafood, perhaps he’s writing a recipe book for ocean rowers on creative ways to serve tuna, dorado and squid using only two ingredients and a small gas jet boiler!

 Time to get the cleaners in,
again and again and again.

Ocean rowers know that in tropical waters they must go overboard from time to time to reduce drag by removing barnacles and weed from the bottom of their boat.  This is an onerous task that must, nonetheless, be done.  Little did Tom realise that he would be reporting to us that these necessary baths would occur weekly.

A milestone

Around midnight (our time) on Wednesday 21 September, Maiwar passed a milestone signalling that she had 1,000 nautical miles to go to reach the Marquesas;  she was almost three-quarters of the way through the first leg of her trans-Pacific voyage. 

MAIWAR 1,000 nautical miles to go. The yellow line from NE to SW indicates her proposed course to Hiva Oa.

In the Marine Traffic screen shot above, the identified pleasure craft is Maiwar. This shows her latitude and longitude in the top right corner plus the 1,000 nautical mile distance from Maiwar to Hiva Oa in the Marquesas.  Unfortunately, Tom has passed a milestone on a route that he is no longer taking.  He is now 400 nautical miles north of the Marquesas – so near and yet so far.

A very lengthy phone call

The shore team had a second phone conversation with Tom on 6 October.  He was sick of trying to get south to the Marquesas and was looking forward to choosing and achieving an alternative destination.  Following is news from that phone conversation with Tom. 

Strangers in the Night

Tom’s had many interesting encounters with flying fish.  They’re small (about 3 cm in length), numerous and comical to watch as they hurl themselves out of the water.  One morning he awoke to discover 17 flying fish had landed, unexpectedly, on Maiwar’s deck - the most he’d ever seen. 

Due to the temperatures around the equator, Tom’s been sleeping at night with the hatch open to allow airflow through his cabin.  While preparing for his row he imagined many scenarios, but not one scenario was of a flying fish making its way through the open hatch to land on his legs in the middle of the night!  One can only imagine his reaction and his exclamation!

Very big fish

Growing up in Australia, everyone learns at a very young age that sharks live in the water we swim, fish and play in.  But we almost never see them.  Tom, however, has seen plenty recently.  They come close to the surface and are about 10 feet long.  He assured us that they are merely sightseeing and pose no danger to him.  (Fun fact:  Maiwar is 24 feet long.)

Favourite books, so far

Many of you would know that Tom is an avid reader.  In fact, he took with him a number of books to read throughout the trip.  Perhaps you’ve read his blog about the bookshelf on Maiwar.  For those who missed that blog here’s the link:

https://www.tomrobinsonboats.com/blog/the-books-im-taking

During last week’s phone call he very excitedly told us about two of his most recent reads.  He’s awarded “Greatest Book Ever” to Small Is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher and “Most Favourite Book” to Henry David Thoreau’s Walden or Life in the Woods.  Harry Bryan, a regular contributor to Off Center Harbor, also puts Small Is Beautiful in his list of best reads.  See: https://www.offcenterharbor.com/2013/11/20/good-reads-recommendations-harry-bryan/

What do you, dear reader, think of Tom’s choices … so far?

A message from Tom’s Mum &
The kindness of Estelle

“I have friends who are offering lots of support while Tom is away.  One of these friends has given support of a very different and unexpected kind.  Estelle is a keen quilter who creates amazingly beautiful items using numerous pieces of fabric, creativity and lots of patience.  When we caught up recently, Estelle presented me with a gorgeous quilt, measuring 1.75m x 1.05m.  Unfortunately, the photo below really doesn’t do it justice but gives you an idea of its beauty and artistry.  As Estelle explained, “The blue represents the Pacific Ocean and the green represents Peru, Australia and the various islands he visits on the way”.  The words of encouragement Estelle has written (which are on the reverse) are appropriate and very comforting.  Thank you very much, Estelle.”

Front of the quilt (above) and message (below).

Destination anywhere

As to Tom’s next destination, we can only say that he has a number of choices:  if he can get far enough south, the Northern Cook Islands offer a number of possibilities; if he is once again forced north, Kiritimati (Christmas Island) north of the equator in Kiribati is also an option.

We thank you all for your support, and we know that you will join us in wishing Tom every success in striving for his goal of making a landfall beyond the Marquesas before Christmas.  When we know more, we’ll let you know.

Yours sincerely,

The Shore Team