Tuesday, July 6, 1999 (8:30 a.m.)
Day at Sea: 22
Actual Position (From GPS unit on board escort boat).
Navigator's Estimate (from Bruce Blankenfeld, Navigator, and Pi'ikea Miller, Apprentice Navigator on "Hokule'a."):
The navigators estimated they were at 9 degrees 15 minutes S at sunrise and are searching for islands and birds this morning. No sightings yet. The wind was coming out of 'Aina Malanai (ESE) at10-15 knots--typical trade wind weather. Moderate seas, 4-6 feet.
The navigators took latitude readings last night from Pherkad and Kochab in the Little Dipper. At the latitude of the Nukuhiva (9 degrees S), in July, Kochab transits the meridian at about 7 degrees above the horizon at 9 p.m.; Pherkad, paired with the star Ed Asich directly above it transits at about 9 degrees above the horizon at 9:48 p.m.
Strategy: The navigators are in the final phase of their voyage--looking for land-based seabirds and islands.
Latitude: See above.
Nighttime navigation: Clear night full of celestial bodies; Stars: . Moon: 'Olekulua (the 22th moon phase) rising.
Daytime navigation: Sun: sunrise and sunset (ENE/WNW); 'Olekulua (the 22th moon phase) setting; swells from the S of E.
Fishing report: caught a 20 lb. ono (wahoo).
