JOURNEY TO JAMAICA'S SOUTHERN COAST: Part I

Frederiksted, St. Croix- USVI to Cayo de los Muertos- Puerto Rico (approximately 115 nm)

Good bye St. Croix!

There we were onboard sv Exit Strategy making the final preparations to set sail westward toward the one of Puerto Rico's lovely out islands called, Cayo de los Muertos. The IN Reach communication unit was activated, the jacklines were in place along both side decks, the navigation lights were tested, the dinghy was strapped to the foredeck, ready meals and snacks were  tucked into the fridge, diesel cans were filled and secured, the bed was made up in the salon, our foul weather suits and PFDs were handy, our ditch bag and multiple water jugs were filled and positioned near the companionway. Everything seemed to be ready and we were eager to GO.

Before raising the anchor, the first & last mate stood on the side deck to unzip the main's sailbag and was astonished to discover that half of the SSB antenna was swaying in the breeze along the backstay cable!  So, the captain hoisted his mate up the mast and the loose antenna was secured once again using many zip ties. A half hour later we were on our way, sailing at a respectable speed using only the headsail with the wind at our back.

When nightfall came, the navigation lights at the bow would not turn on even after both of the crew reported that they had each tested them.  Therefore, the steaming light was used in order for other vessels to notice us.  Our small dinghy nav light was kept in the cockpit to utilize if another vessel was spotted in the vicinity. Around midnight while the captain was on watch, he raised the main sail and Exit Strategy glided effortlessly over the sea wing-on-wing.  The crew was loving it!

The next day, Cayo de los Muertos was in our sights.  As expected, the anchorage there had only one other boat. When the headsail was taken in, the furler jammed, causing the captain to "storm". We had planned to break up the sail with a restful day along this Puerto Rican gem. But now, the "Fix It" list was growing... get the nav lights to work... adjust the furler...  The captain remedied those problems in no time flat, but then he started fiddling with the wheel at the port helm after noticing that it was making an unusual sound. He soon discovered that one link in the chain was bent and about to break.  Luckily, he remembered where he stashed the old chain he salvaged from the last time it broke and used a section of that to make the repair.     

The mountains of Puerto Rico can be seen from Cayo de los Muertos.

   
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