2002 – 2003
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Ocean Planet in the Around Alone – Update
Monday, March 10, 2003 1330GMT
Position: 39 50 S 45 03 W
Wind NNE at 8-12kts
Heading 326T at 8-9kts
Hi all,
Distance to Salvador leg finish: 1700+ miles….upwind.
Distance to race finish in Newport: Too far to even think about yet.
I feel like the race should be downhill from here having overcome two major breakages, sail damage and lack of $ to have rounded Cape Horn and be heading up the Atlantic. But the truth is some of the hardest parts of the race are yet to come.
2000 miles of uphill bashing, the Doldrums again, countless thunderstorms, lightning, and constantly changing winds are par for the course in the Atlantic before we cross the Gulf Stream one last time and head for Newport. All that worries me, but not as much as something else.
Paying our bills! We have borrowed all that we can against the boat, maxed out several credit cards, and run up bills with hardworking small businesses and individuals that have put in extraordinary efforts to keep Ocean Planet and me going. Just making the monthly payments on all this is overwhelming, aside from trying to set some aside to prep the boat at the next stopover!
Having been in the marine business for most of my life, I know how far the people who have taken the risk of not getting paid have stuck their necks out. These are not big companies that can absorb losses like that. Yet, they have believed in the Ocean Planet dream and were somehow willing to share the risk with me. I know at least one of our biggest helpers who performed miracles is having trouble making payroll, and what I owe them is a big part of that. It’s not always easy for me to sleep out here in this beautiful ocean knowing what I have put people through.
But we can and will pull it off! So many of you have helped out financially making this trip a succession of miracles. I have to believe that more miracles will come our way, and that what everyone has done for Ocean Planet is as inspiring to you as it has been for me. Please help me finish this voyage, and then bring the experience back to the many classrooms and kids that have been following Ocean Planet along with you. I’m not kidding when I say that I want to be a teacher when I grow up…..;-)
Bruce and Ocean Planet and crew