Jocara Newsletter
July 19, 2005

As of 09:30 UTC 19 July we are sailing south in a WNW wind of 10 knots, 
unable to get closer to Gan than about 145 n.m. because of the adverse 
wind angle.  Our position is 0 deg. 43.57'S, 075 deg. 35.14'E.  We have 
been plagued by squalls, for which we respectfully lower our jury-rigged 
sail rather than face the disgrace of losing our second mast in the space 
of a week.  So, we're toughing it out, waiting for favourable wind.  
There's a catch 22 here.  If we drop the sail Jocara lurches sickeningly, 
making sleep impossible.  Just staying physically lying down in the 
approximate area of the bunk is a challenge.  If we raise the sail, Jocara 
steadies in the swell enough to rest, but Caro or I have to be up the 
whole time watching squall development to be sure to get the other on deck 
so we can drop the sail in time before the gusts hit.  We're a little 
sensitive about the rigging, you see.  

We'd like to think that we've learnt our lesson, but Neptune thinks not, 
at least not yet.  West winds are unusual here for this time of year yet 
we've been battling them for several days now, clawing our way south while 
tenaciously hanging on to our longitude so as not to be swept east by the 
current and away from our destination, which now lies due West of us.  We 
remain hopeful that the next couple of days will bring different and more 
favourable winds, allowing us to get within motoring range of Gan.  The 
jury-rig sail works amazingly well, but it does not have a very high-tech 
shape and does not point as high into the wind as one professionally cut.

Meanwhile we've come across some freighters, one of whom responded to our 
VHF calls with a heavily-accented assurance that he would 'turn to port to 
miss me' but who wouldn't say anything else despite repeated efforts to 
open a meaningful dialogue.  I'm still wondering if he was referring to 
the solace of the bottle and faith in the spirits rather than the 
left-hand side of his boat.  We've also seen several fishing vessels, none 
of whom have shown any interest whatsoever in stopping to help.  Today we 
met up with a Chinese fishing boat in broad daylight. She came over to 
within 1/4 of a n.m. to take a look at this weird sailboat with a 
ridiculously short mast and funny Dhow-looking sail plan, but she never 
answered our HF calls. She responded to our antics waving empty jerry cans 
on deck (to indicate our pressing need) by revving her engines and dashing 
away to the safety of the horizon as quickly as possible.  Afterwards we 
enlarged the photos we took and could read the name; it turns out this is 
one of the boats licensed to fish in Maldivian waters that the Maldives 
SAR controller said had been alerted to our position and requirements and 
which was attempting to rendevous with us.  Right.  With a rendevous style 
like that, one wonders what it would be like to be spurned.

John, Caro, Casper and Alex (plus Star and Cannelle, who have run out of 
catfood and are looking increasingly nervous).

P.S. Don't forget to check out our website at http://www.jocara.net for 
updates, pics and short movies, also archived newsletters.  Anyone can 
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