Wednesday, July 7, 1999 (8:30 a.m.)
Day at Sea: 23
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 about 10 degrees S at sunrise and are tacking and searching for islands and birds this morning. Pairs of terns were sighted flying west in the early morning. The navigators have been searching to the West up until now and plan to reassess their position today. The Marquesas actually lie to the E.
The wind was coming out of La Malanai (E by S) at10-15 knots--typical trade wind weather. Moderate seas, 4-6 feet.
The navigators took latitude readings from Kochab in the Little Dipper last night. At the latitude of the Nukuhiva (9 degrees S), in July, Kochab will transit the meridian at about 7 degrees above the horizon at 9 p.m.
Strategy: The navigators are in the final phase of their voyage--tacking between about 8 and 10 degrees S while looking for land-based seabirds and islands.
Latitude: Kochab.
Nighttime navigation: Clear night full of celestial bodies; Stars: . Moon: 'Olekupau (the 23th moon phase) rising after midnight.
Daytime navigation: Sun: sunrise and sunset (ENE/WNW); 'Olekupau (the 23th moon phase) setting after noon. Dominant swell: ESE.
Fishing report: No strikes.
Sea Life Pairs of terns flying west in the early morning.
