Pirates of the Caribbean.....

Kate and Allen anchored next to
'Persephone' in Grenada

I am not talking about the Disney, romanticized Pirates of the Carib, I am talking about the dirtbags that prey on cruisers.  This summer, our friends Kate and Allen on 'Mendosino Queen' were viciously attacked in the Tobaggo Keys.  The Keys are a National Park and turtle sancuary located just north of Grenada in the Grenedines.  This is a prestine reef system, frequented by cruisers for snorkelling, diving and turtle watching.  While anchored there, Kate and Allen were the victims of an armed robbery.  The full details are available on the following link: http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2011-07-12-2     

As a result (and as part of our systems upgrade), we have installed a panic alarm system as suggested by Kate and Allen.  Panic buttons are located in the V birth, and in the nav station.  A push of the button activates two LARGE bells, turns on the deck lights, and turns on a bright cockpit light.  One bell is located in the cabin, to disorient and the intruder, and to prevent any intruder from hearing what is happening outside;  the other bell is located in the cockpit to alert other cruisers.  We have also installed a remote radio microphone in the sleeping quarters; along with stainless steel bars over the hatch above the V birth.  I am sharing my design of the Panic Button Alarm System with fellow cruisers....hopefully none of us will ever need it....

   

Happy Thanksgiving....

Persephone flys a Canadain flag in celebration !! 

   Today is Canadian Thanksgiving....so a hearty HAPPY THANKSGIVING to our friends from the north.... !!  A full turkey dinner is planned at a local marina.

Our Canadian friends Lynn and Ken  (Silver Heels III) just completed hoisting a giant flag to honor the day !  In addition to the national celebration, it just happens to be Lynn's Birthday....So, its a double celebration on Silver Heels III.  Special "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" wishes to a great friend, Lynn. Have a great day !! 

The BLOG is BACK !!

    First, I want to thank all of you in the Blogisphere who have written me to make sure all was OK.  The simple answer is all is fine.  So,  how come there hasn't been a Blog in over a month ?  I got carried away with a major boat project.
    The navigation equipment on Persephone was over 12 years old, and nearing the end of its useful life.  Raymarine had a great rebate offer, so the decision was made to completely upgrade the entire chartplotter, radar, GPS, AIS, DSC, and MARPA  systems on Persephone (don't you just love all the initials !).  It took over a month to remove (and sell) the 'old' nav equipment, install the new system, and completely intergrate it.  During that month, the entire boat was pulled apart for wire runs, especially the nav station.  So, here is the result of all the hard (and sweaty) work......

The new chartplotter/GPS is the large screen in the left of the picture.  The grey box below is the AIS (anti- collision device).  Above the chartplotter is the WIFI router and Pactor (radio modem).  In the center are 3 radios; SSB (long distance shortwave), a VHF (short range marine comm), and ordinary stereo with Sirius Sat capability. 

An idential chartplotter was installed at the helm.  This is networked with the plotter at the nav station.  Below the plotter is the auto-pilot control, a data repeater (depth and speed) and controls for the anchor windless (so the anchor can be controlled from the helm).











This is the 'back' of the helm from the cockpit.  All of the wires from the nav system were run down the stainless tubing (which I had custom made here in Grenada).  The blue "square" is a sunbrella cover over the teak cockpit table.  The table was designed to swing down against the pedistal (and covered) when not is use.  Before, the table was stored down below when not in use and had to be carried out to the cocpit for each use.  I am now busy with the sewing machine finishing the covers for the new instruments.

The project is essential complete, everything works and all the instruments are 'talking' to each other.  It is a great system which should make navigation easier, safer and increase our situational awareness.  It was a big project and now that it is done, I promise to update you on all of the fun things that happened over the past month.  Stay tuned.....Capt Dave 

Roger's Barefoot Beach Bar

Roger's Barefoot Beach Bar

So, we're hanging out at Roger's having a coldie and listening to the band. As I approach the bar, I hear a local fellow asking Roger if he knows the crews of  'Persephone' or 'Silverheels III'.  "Hi, I'm from Persephone", I announce.  "Hi, I'm Franklin, and I have been following your blog for months now...it's really great to meet you", he says.  Mon, you need to get a life !", I retort.  Undaunted, Franklin continues..."I'm Grenadian, but working in Brooklyn...I've got 14 years left before I can retire, I can hardly wait to do what you are doing", he lamented"...

Parking Lot at Roger's

 Handshakes all around, clinking of Carib bottles, and tales of adventure followed.  As we talked we were entertained by a live local band (with their portable generator whining in the near background).  The waterlogged, blown-out, and muffled speakers added to the ambiance.  What they lacked in equipment, they made up in enthusiasm !!

The bandstand is below the high water mark, note
the seaweed under the stage....

Franklin, this Blog is dedicated to you, mon.  Twelve years ago, my dream was kept alive by the voyages of Bob and Lori on 'Pride'.  I hope that the travels of 'Persephone' help keep your dream alive, and you are able to sail in our wake as we did in Pride's....    

Should have kept practicing law !!

Genset being installed winter of 2008

Ever have one of those projects where everything you touch goes wrong ?  Well that is what happened while working on the genset (generator for making electricity when solar is unavailable).  The genset just ticked over 1000 hours so it was time for some major maintenance. I haven't ever changed the impeller (rubber vane device that pumps in sea water for cooling)  so it was about time.  The pump assembly was nearly against the starter motor, so it had to be totally removed.  It was mounted with a combination of metric and US bolts so it became an hour long guessing game to determine proper sizes.  The cover was attached with Allen bolts...I couldn't find the correct size and had to borrow one from friends on 'Joanna'. (another 1/2 hour).  Of course the impeller was seized in the housing and had to be manhandled to get it out....(add another 3/4 hour which included finding the bandaids).  I dropped a part (half the size of a dime) which keeps the impeller from free-spinning into the bowels of the engine...add another 20 minutes to find it...and another bandaid.  Reassembly was uneventful, but took nearly an hour.  OK, time to see if it works....I pushed the start switch and nothing but the sounds of silence !!  WTF !!!   I pushed it again....NOTHING !!  I pulled out a small mirror on  long handle to take a look around the starter circuit.  Yup, a wire was hanging with a plug on the end...but where did it belong ??  Add another 30 minutes of searching for a lonely male spade connector.  Finally, I found it on the rear of the starter circuit.  Add another 20 minutes of turning into a contortionist it get it back in place.  I hit the switch and the genset leaped to life....YIKES....I'm soaked....a hose had been loosened by accident, and it was spraying gallons of seawater all over me, and the genset.  But worse, the deluge was aimed  squarely at the back of the electronic panel for the solar panel charge controller....As I watched, I could see the circuit board frying and the LED lights going off one by one....  &^$+@#  !!  Cleaning up the saltwater took another hour.  The next day you have to add another 3 hours for a trip to Budget Marine for a new controller for $350.00 US and the installation.  What should have been a 15 minute project took nearly 10 hours and hundreds of dollars !!....  Some days it just doesn't pay to play mechanic....law was more fun, and cheaper !!

Lead us into Temptation....

"Lead us into Temptation" is one of the themes of this year's Carnival...  Join the cruisers of Grenada at this bacchanalian event --->

Susie of "Spirited Lady" always seems to be in the middle
of any spirited activity.  Here she is playing carnival with
one of the local groups !!  Cruisers are invited to participate;
you just have to purchase the costume.












 

Our friend Steve who works for Secret Harbor Marina here in Mt. Hartman Bay enjoys himself with
a rum in one hand at a young lady in the other !!
Enjoy Steve !!

Future Queen of Carnival

This custom stretches across the entire street !!

The Peacock !!

After a raucous afternoon at Carnival , on the bus ride home we had a tire blow out.  The jack was too large to fit under the bus, so we had to "lift" it up to get the jack under the frame. It took about about 20 minutes to get the tire changed (remember, we are on 'island time').  Yup, flat tires happen even in paradise....   

So, What's Up ??



Summer flowers of Grenada

 So about now,  you may be asking: "what's happened to the regular Blogs from Persephone" ?  Sharks ?  Pirates ? Rum ?  No, nothing that dramatic !!

A friend, Captain Morgan of "Winergie" bought a new boat (a 64 foot catamaran named "Nirvana")  which was located in St. Maarten.  He needed help delivering the boat to Grenada and offered to fly me to St. Maartin to assist in the delivery.  I said " sounds like fun, let's go !"  So, a week ago Monday, we flew up to the SXM to pick up the new boat.  "Persephone" was left by herself on her mooring in Grenada; under the watchful eyes of  Lynn and Ken of "Silverheels III".   For security reasons, I told very few people that I had left Grenada and "Persephone" was unattended and certainly didn't want to post that information on a public Blog.
Due to red tape, the potential formation of  the tropical event 'Emily' and minor repairs needed to "Nirvana" we didn't set sail from St. Maarten until noon on Friday. "Nirvana" is a BIG, nimble and FAST cat !!  In a moderate breeze she lopped along at 15 knots (or twice the speed of "Persephone" !!   She is so fast,  I think seatbelts would be a good idea !! We did the 370 mile trip in approximately 40 hours, averaging over 9 knots....that's flying !!  We arrived back in Grenada yesterday afternoon to the oohs and ahhs of fellow cruisers.
Now that I am back, the Blog will again be updated regularly....Next event here is Carnival which started yesterday.  Another event not to be missed .....   Capt Dave