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| Oliver and Nesa from BLUE PEARL realised the crucial importance of SSB during the rally for getting in touch with the other yachts. Left photo: Dag Rørslett | ||
Oliver Henrichsen on German yacht BLUE PEARL has sent his reflections on how the SSB (Single Sideband radio) net worked during the Atlantic Odyssey.
Oliver said ‘I think an SSB radio is a very nice item and I won’t change it for a satphone. For some days we did not see any other ship or navigation light at night, and you feel lonely, but on SSB you find friends close by.’
‘It was a pleasure for me to report from the ocean, whether to send our frustrations because of missing wind or, on the other hand, keeping you up to date with the weather observations.’
‘All the skippers liked their time on air, we exchanged our positions and thoughts as well as trying to help with any problems, we had fine conversation and found kind people on there. After the “official” part, the women on board liked to chat to each other and share their thoughts as well.’
‘We found some new companions via the radio which helped keep the boring time away. We ran the net two times a day, once at 12 noon, although this was not the best time for propagation, and also at 2100 (2200 in the west, due to not getting dark until later) when there was better propagation. The only problem we encountered was not being able to contact yachts more than 350 miles away. We used 4A 6A 8A.’
‘On the yachts we stayed in contact with there were no kids, so there was no kids net.’
Farewell party: Oliver and Nera are given a prize by Mr Bilny, vice-president of the Tourism Office of Le Marin, to acknowledge their help with communcations via SSB during the crossing
John Ellis, the Event Director of the Atlantic Odyssey, added:
‘Oliver and Nesa should be recognised for their wonderful communications contribution during the passage. Not only did they send detailed daily reports about their own passage, but they were also very concerned for other participants and made a concerted effort to relay information and keep in touch by SSB with other yachts.’
At the farewell party on December 16th, Oliver and Nesa were presented with a special prize to recognise their contribution.
