SOLO SAILOR OVERDUE in S. Pacific!

[hollyjb]

We need your help. Jim Cheshire (age 63) left Manta, Ecuador on July 21, 2009 for the Marquesas. He is sailing a Pearson built, Alberg 35 sloop, white hull & sail #153. There is no name on the boat. If anyone has any information or sitings, we would be eternally grateful if you could contact us. +1 860-304-5733 (US mobile) or holly@bogo2.com


Also, please let me know if you think of other sailing sites that I can post to.

[Martinini]

Here is another Cruisers & Sailing Forum - Forum Listings

[JohnRPollard]

Holly,

I'm going to make this post a "sticky", i.e. it will stay at the top of our forum and not get buried by other posts. This will give it much better visibility.

Please let us know if you have any updates.

Also, you might consider posting at the "Yacht Search" section of Noonsite, which keeps a listing of overdue vessels: http://www.noonsite.com/News?topic=YACHTSEARCH

[hollyjb]

John - Thank you so much for making this request a sticky. In my 58 years on the water, I have never been let down by the sailing community. The generosity, sacrifice and dedication of seamen, worldwide, is something the rest of the world could learn from. I am proud and humbled to be a part of such a community.

I will definitely keep the group posted on any updates as we receive them.

[SeanConnett]

Holly - Is there a Rescue Coordination Center, like the Coast Guard, actively investigating or searching for this boat?
I also wonder if the boat had an EPIRB on board.

[hollyjb]

Boat name is "Godot" but unfortunately the name is not on the hull. Thought I should post this in case anyone might have intercepted radio transmissions.

[hollyjb]

Here are pics of Jim and of his boat. Thanks again for all your help.

[hollyjb]

USCG (Pacific SAR, Alameda CA) was contacted on Aug 29, 2009. They are also helping with the language barriers with the Ecuadorian and Polynesian governments. Jim's girlfriend has keep a daily log from her home base in FL of all wind and wave conditions for Jim's proposed route, along with estimated positions. She has relayed all of this info to our USCG contact, including electronic and mechanical devices onboard. At this time, I do not know if he had an EPRIB.

[hollyjb]

UPDATE Aug 30 16:15 EDT
USCG has notified all commercial mariners, boatwatchnet.org, and Ham radio operators. They have also contacted French Polynesia, who have made VHF broadcasts to look out for Jim's boat.

The onboard EPIRB has not been activated, so that is good news. The family feels Jim will make it and that he is probably very frustrated with the light winds during his passage.

[JohnRPollard]

Holly,

That's all good info.

With the corrected departure date, I would personally be somewhat less worried about Jim. Off the top of my head, I'd guess that we are talking about a voyage of nearly 4000 miles. If winds were fickle, that could easily extend to 40-50 days at sea. If they were exceptionally light and contrary you'd have to add even more days.

The fact that he hasn't activated the EPIRB is another good sign. Assuming he is adequately provisioned (especially water), let's all keep a positive outlook. More than likely he'll be gliding into port sometime during the next week or two, apologizing for the worry he caused.

But we'll keep this thread at the top and ask everyone to report in if they have any info.