BULLETIN: MED BOUND YACHTS ARRIVE IN GIBRALTAR Our three Med Bound yachts arrived safely at Marina Bay, Gibraltar, at 1600 local today. Sonaia Hermida, first mate of the NAR N57 Goleen, was at Tarifa to photograph our passage into the Strait of Gibraltar, and she met us on the pier camera-in-hand. We all (except sleeping George) celebrated in the dock office with champagne and again over dinner (George came this time) at the head of the pier. What a great experience--both the crossing and the celebrations! Our two Nordhavn 55s and one Nordhavn 47 have safely and successfully completed our Atlantic crossing, our 11 crewmembers (and two dogs) now thinking, "This was not a big deal." Nonetheless, we all feel a great sense of accomplishment and are delighted that we have done what so few human beings ever get to do: crossing an ocean aboard a small, well-found yacht. And lived to tell about it! Seriously, the sense of satisfaction is overwhelming. We owe so much to so many for making this happen! More soon I hope. Meanwhile, time to shift gears from ocean-crossing-mode to Mediterranean-cruising-mode, something we all look forward to with great eagerness. ************************************** Noon Report July 10, 2007 Position 36-02.3N 05-46.3W as of 12:00 Gibraltar time (GMT +2 hrs) Monday, July 10 Course 104 deg M Speed 8.0 kts @ 2000 RPM Distance to go: 26 NM to go to Gibraltar Distance made good past 24 hours: 163.3 NM (6.8 kt average) Distance made good since Horta: 1138 NM Total fuel consumed: (168.4 engine hours) 890 gals, average 5.3 GPH (incl. genset), fuel remaining 590 (40%) Conditions: Wind SE 28 kts, seas SE 1-3 swells, clear with heavy haze, visibility good Barometer: 1021.4 and steady Sea water temp: 71 deg F, air temp 77 deg F. ETA Gibraltar: PM July 10 Med Bound 2007's three yachts are on the verge of entering the historic Straits of Gibraltar. Isla Tarifa, the so-called windsurfing capital of the world, is about five miles ahead. That's where we actually enter the strait. It's also where Sonaia Hermida, first mate and admiral of the Nordhavn 57 Goleen, will be waiting to take our pictures as we pass by. We've been in touch with Sonaia on the phone-our Euro cell phone is working now-and we're closing up our little formation for pictures. We should pass at just  mile off, so even in the haze Sonaia should be able to get a decent picture or two. The last 24 hours has seen the weather pipe down from the previous day's gale force conditions. By dinner time yesterday, we were plugging along in the leftover chop, with the winds down in the teens and the seas down to 3-5 feet, maybe less. As we came more into the lee of the mainland of Europe, wind and seas declined even more. Weather for my 2100-2400 watch was flat and easy but very hazy. At one point about then we counted 45 ships displayed on the AIS, one more than 100 miles away. The radar and Nobeltec computer showed dozens of ships streaming to and from the strait, with our three yachts mixed right up in the midst of them--our little inverted-V formation right there in their face. The truth is that the traffic was very orderly-inbound ships to the right, outbound ships to the left. My original plan had been to follow the inbound ships, but Bernie recommended moving across the lanes of traffic to put us on the north side of the approach. We crabbed our way across last night, dodging what seemed like many ships-but in reality we snaked our way through only a half dozen or so outbound ships. We picked our openings, sneaking in near the slower ships and dodging across their transoms ahead of the faster moving ones. It took several tense hours and when it was all over we were delighted, finally, to be on the north side of the approach to the strait. From that position, we followed the coast the rest of the way to Gibraltar without ever encountering another ship, not, at least, until we were right in the Bay of Gibraltar. I'l spare you the details, but let me say that, quite literally, we could not have done it without AIS. I am being overcome by what's happening . . . time to quit and get this boat into the Bay of Gibraltar. We must ship the paravanes, hoist the poles, get the clearance papers ready, call the marina, rig the docklines, and fenders. Then, of course, pose for the inevitable pictures off The Rock (oops, it was covered in cloud, so don't expect much from the pictures!). HERRRRE WE GO! --Milt, Judy, George and Schipperke Katy -- Milt Baker Bluewater Nordhavn 47 #32 http://www.bluewaternav.com A compilation of reports from Med Bound 2007 may be viewed at <http://www.nordhavn.com>. Click on Med Bound 2007.