End of Day 12 Beaufort NC to Antigua

These Blog entries are edited versions of the messages we sent back as we completed the passage. They were sent by radio using a laptop that controls a modem and the HF/SSB radio, using the SailMail system. We sent the messages daily to Charlotte and she then forwarded them on to a list of family members.

1020hrs (AST, GMT-4) 30 Nov 2019

Dear All,

The fuel gauge reading barely changed for 14 hours so we now know where it is most inaccurate/vague.  Over the next few weeks we will have a play with how we run the fuel from the forward tank to see if we can get a clearer picture of fuel consumption.

The morning passage from midnight was uneventful with the engine chugging along and the wind still very light and variable.  On the horizon out to our west we could see the loom of lights on St Martin and St Barts whilst ahead we could start to see the loom of lights on Antigua.  Our destination almost in sight!

There was still the question of where we should arrive and check-in on Antigua.  English Harbour would be our preferred port of arrival but it is another 30 miles further on than Jolly Harbour; another 6 hours of motoring.  On balance we decided to aim for Jolly Harbour.  We could check-in, do some laundry, take advantage of the excellent supermarket there and then move on to English Harbour in day or two when there might even be some wind.

Land Ho! …… Antigua in sight

At dawn we could just make out the low-lying island of Barbuda out to our east and the peaks of Antigua were clearly visible 30 miles ahead of us.  We spent the morning tidying up and cleaning to make BV presentable ready for a possible Customs and Immigration arrival inspection.

Turning towards Jolly Harbour

Approaching the channel into Jolly Harbour

So, at 0930 we turned east into Jolly Harbour and we are now tied up on the Customs and Immigration Dock checking-in.

Moored on the Customs and Immigration Dock for our check-in formalities

Clearly, we are very pleased to be here.  With 72hrs 20 mins of motoring and the light winds it wasn't the best passage but it's probably better to have too little wind than too much.  And we are, of course, positioned and all set to enjoy the Caribbean.

Thanks for tracking our progress.  We'll be posting lots of blog entries that we have written during the passage as soon as we get to a bar with wifi.

Love to all,

Reg and Nicky 

Passage statistics:

Position at 1020hrs 30 Nov: N17 04 W61 53

Position at midnight: n/a

Midday to 1020hrs distance: 119 nautical miles

Midnight to 1020hrs distance: 55 nautical miles

Total miles covered:  1583.4 nautical miles

Approximate distance to go (direct line): zero nautical miles

In the Jolly Harbour anchorage with Dark and Stormy rum cocktails to celebrate our arrival

End of Day 12 - Beaufort North Carolina to Antigua – Jolly Habour, Antigua