Kama Hele Evening Report

Aloha kākou,

3.12.09 Hōkūle’a and Kama Hele experienced another day of easy sailing under changing skies.  The breezes freshened in the morning and midday with corresponding good boat speeds.  But, the winds diminished throughout the afternoon and we slowed.  Late this afternoon, we picked up speed again.

The weather changed three times throughout the day.  All morning the clouds built, expanding from the horizon where cloudbanks have surrounded us the whole trip to completely covering the sky overhead.  Numerous squalls were seen all around, but we got only a few drops of precipitation, it never really rained on us.  Late this afternoon, the skies mostly cleared and we once again had a clear overhead and a solid ring of cumulus all around the horizon.  At sunset it was clear overhead but we have four large rain-filled squalls around and ahead of us threatening to make our evening interesting.  As we approach them, the winds are beginning to be blustery and clocking around the compass.

I saw a white-tailed tropic bird out here today - never knew they roamed that far out to sea.

Barometer fell to 30.1" or 1020 mb.

Sunset reports from all vessels indicated vessels and crews are fine.  At 6:40 pm, we were on a course of 179 degrees True and making 5.8 knots at that time.

Winds:  N 10-12 knots, but beginning to clock and gust
Sea state: N swell 3 ft

Aloha,

Mike, Kama Hele escort boat