BVIs towards Jamaica End of Day 6

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 my daughter Charlotte and she then forwarded them on to a list of family members.

0910hrs (EST, GMT-5) 20 Jan 2020

Dear All,

Our plan of moseying along under very reduced sail worked well.  Sailing very gently at between 4 and 5 knots we arrived 10 miles off Port Antonio at 4am this morning and then hove to. With to 2 sails putting opposing forces on BV she pretty much stopped in the water moving at about 1.5 knots, mainly with the current rather than sail power, which left us in a good position for entering port after sun-up.

Port Antonio ahead

After sun-up?  We thought that we would arrive in Jamaica with the sun shining but instead we had full oilskins on and heavy rain to welcome us but, despite that, the beauty of the place shone out.

Sails down for the approach into Port Antonio

Port Antonio really is very attractive with high hills providing a backdrop to lush green foothills just above the shoreline.  The shelter in the western harbour is fantastic and we went from a 1.5 metre swell to totally flat sea conditions as we motored the last half a mile into port.

BV moored in the Errol Flynn Marina

George at the Errol Flynn Marina provided an excellent service in overseeing our arrival.  He and his team took our lines, made sure we were secure and then arranged for the medical, customs and immigration authorities to visit us and complete the arrivals paperwork.  With everything in order there we were free to explore.

Port Antonio is a bustling but small town and as one friendly chap here described it, "a nice place and small enough that you know everyone".  It has a fabulous market with excellent home grown fresh fruit and vegetables which is a delight after the more supermarket style well-travelled produce we've been buying in the Caribbean so far this visit.

Nutmeg surrounded by dry (now orange) mace

We are waiting until tomorrow to see what the early bird fresh produce looks like but couldn't resist a large handful of nutmeg still with the mace surrounding the nutmeg shell. 

We'll use the mace for flavouring stews and the now refreshed nutmeg stash will add that essential finishing touch to our rum cocktails.  Lunch was, as you would expect, Jamaican jerk chicken and spicy rice washed down with Jamaican Ting.

So, in short, we have arrived safely.  Not exactly where we expected but Port Antonio and Jamaica looks to be fun to explore for a bit and we can keep an eye out for a more settled weather window to move on to the Cayman Islands in due course.  We have managed to write several blog entries during our passage so watch out for them appearing as soon as the internet access allows.

Love to all,

Reg and Nicky

Passage statistics:

Position at midday 20 Jan: N18 11 W76 27

Position at midnight 20 Jan: N18 11 W76 27

Midday to 0910hrs distance: 100 nautical miles (Average 4.8 knots)

Midnight to 0910hrs distance: 31 nautical miles (Average 3.4 knots)

Total miles covered:  798.1 nautical miles

Approximate distance to go (direct line to Port Antonio): 0 nautical miles

BVIs towards Jamaica, End of Day 6