Shore Support – Preparing for Sarah’s arrival
Trying to anticipate exactly when an ocean rowing boat will arrive at its intended destination is never easy. Trying to calculate when Sarah will arrive in the Aleutian Islands, where the weather is constantly changing and the forecast can’t be relied on much beyond a few days, is pretty well impossible. Certainly as the distance to go decreases, guessing the arrival date becomes easier, however when the anticipated destination (Adak) only has two flights a week you can’t afford to leave it too late before committing to a travel date. This has been the challenge for the shore support team over the past couple of weeks as Sarah has made her way ever closer to her landfall destination.
As a priority on arrival in Adak the support team will need to establish reliable internet access and telephone comms in order to allow continued close monitoring of Sarah’s progress in consideration with weather forecasts, and to keep Sarah informed of the developing arrival plan. Also importantly for sake of safety is the need to find a suitable boat that can go out and meet Sarah as she closes with land. Exactly when and how far out that boat will be required to go is very much dependent on Sarah’s ability to navigate safely and the weather conditions as she gets close to land. Finding a suitable boat in Adak at this time of year is not a simple task due to the advancing late season and the limited number of boats still operating in the area.
Consideration also has to be made for arranging the official formalities required when someone arrives in a foreign country from oversees. Not only does Sarah require Immigration and Customs clearance on arrival in Alaska, it’s also important Happy Socks is correctly declared as a foreign registered vessel entering the USA.
If time permits prior to Sarah’s arrival the logistics of where and how to lift Happy Socks out of the water will be established, together with making arrangements for the onward shipping/transportation of Happy Socks from Adak.
So a busy few days ahead for the arrival support team, working to finalise the details of what is a ‘fluid’ plan in every sense of the word.
(Sent from Tony, Ocean Manager, as he arrives in Anchorage. Next stop Adak)
Hi Tony and all the support team.
The locals will be out there to help.
Just ask them to help and I am sure that you will not have a problem.
Sarah can do with a little bit of help to keep off the rocks
Looking forward to reading of the safe touch down
Bruce from sunny Queensland
Thanks for the report from Shore Support….always interesting to hear about the logistics of such an amazing voyage. Safe landing.
Hi Sarah tell team to get in touch with Keirron Tastagh or Jeff Norville they had good contacts there if i can be of any help let me know
info: http://www.horrendousexperiences.blogspot.co.il/
Interesting report, will you have a new rudder for Happy Socks to make the landing just a little safer for Sarah, I think HS and Sarah could use the help.
Do you need a place to store the boat in Canada or the US? until the Atlantic crossing. I have very good friends in boatyards in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia that would be delighted to assist and store it until the last voyage.
So exciting…all these preparations going on to ensure a safe arrival for Sarah and Happy Socks (and Chimpy, of course)! Thank you for making us feel a part of it all!
~Gigi in Virginia Beach
Tony! Happy that you are well on your way to meet our favorite Mars-bars-eater!
Give her a big hug from me, will you?
Very releived to read thought has been giving to
a safe arrival. As an expilot and small boater I know the importance of a safe landing, its all very well saying a good landing is one you walk away from but make this a very good one.
Donald
Good to hear from the back room ‘boys’ too. An exped is never just the front line – so thanks for all you do in helping to keep our adventurer safe! Go well all – fair winds and following tides both practically and in every way. Go, Sarah! One stroke at a time. Love Pam
Look after her guys…she is a very special person 🙂
I’m a local in Adak! Looking forward to meeting Sarah! I’ve been following this blog since April.
I’curious, any idea when the support team will arrive in Adak? Has anyone been in touch with the locals yet?
Hi,
Tony and James arrived in Adak thursday 19th and have been met By Elaine Smiloff (harbour master) and members of the fishing community. Hopefully, you will be able to meet up with them as they prepare for Sarah’s landing.
Thanks for the support,
Mel (L2L team)
Nice work Sarah! I can’t believe your tenacity – having your first boat destroyed in a typhoon and going back at it. If anyone deserves this its you. Good luck with your final couple of days on the water before arriving in the USA.