Hiva Oa to Mangareva

Report on 08/19/99, A.M.

Sources of Information: Moana Doi, Cat Fuller and Chad Baybayan.

Prepared by: Nalani Wilson on Hokule'a; Kamaki Worthington on Kamahele.

Navigators' Estimated Position at 6 pm, 08/18/99: 14 deg 25 m S, 15 miles N of the new reference course line. (Actual Position from GPS: 14 deg 28 m S, 131 deg 47 m W)

Navigators' Estimated Position at 6 am, 08/19/99: 14 deg 45 m S, 15 miles N of the new reference course line. (Actual Position from GPS: 14 deg 48 m S, 130 deg 42 m W)

NOTE: Since the reference course is from E to W the navigator is using N or S of the reference course line.

Est speed 4.5 knots (under tow); Actual speed is 6 kts.

Miles est. made in the last 24 hrs: 108 miles

Current Heading: 'Aina Malanai (ESE)

Strategy for Next 24 hrs: Chad plans to maintain course and speed, to be sure he is past 130deg W longitude, then at sunrise tomorrow Hokule'a will turn haka malanai (S by E) for Pitcairn, sailing hopefully, but under tow probably (due to light winds).

Winds- Hikina (E) at 8kts

Swells-Hikina (E), Manu Kona (SW), Manu Malanai (SE); flat, calm sea state

Cloud cover: only cumulus 10% cover

Weather prediction: Same--calm seas, wind from hikina @ 10kts or less

Steering: Hokule'a (arcturus, Hanaiakamalama (southern cross), hikianli'a (spica), jupiter, Ka heihei o na keiki (Orion)

Lat. stars: Shedir in Cassiopeia @ 18 deg on the meridian

Health of crew: Stomach flu still going around. Mel thinks it may be the water from Hiva Oa. The crew will start boiling all water today. The escort boat Kamahele has a water maker on board and has much excess water to supply Hokule'a.

No fish

Sightings: One booby

For more information on the quest for Rapa Nui, go to the PVS Homepage.