Yacht Blue Dolphin Arrives Safely In Galapagos

Created by doina. Last modified on 2006-10-09 13:06:47
Contributors:
Countries: Galapagos, Panama

People in Panama, the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador were swift to respond when Noonsite recently asked for news on the yacht Blue Dolphin en route from Panama to the Galapagos.

Noonsite is pleased to report that on September 29 Blue Dolphin safely arrived in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, after a slow passage from Las Perlas Islands. We had previously posted a news item requesting news of the yacht after being contacted on 20th September by Victoria Smith. She was concerned about her partner Darrel Trueman and crew Greg Coe and Kel Murray who departed Panama City on Blue Dolphin around the 28th August heading for the Galapagos Islands. She knew they had planned for a short stopover on the Las Perlas islands but she had expected by now to have heard news of their arrival in Puerto Ayora.

Through Noonsite’s contacts in Panama the information was relayed to the Commander of the Ecuadorian Navy in the Galapagos, all the Port Captains in the Galapagos, the US naval Attaché in Panama, the Panamanian Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard. Local cruiser nets were alerted as well. Although no sightings were reported, before a search was launched news came in that the yacht had at last arrived in Puerto Ayora.

“Thank you for your interest in our journey,” Darrel Trueman wrote to Noonsite. “Thank you also to those who expressed concern at our presumed disappearance. The reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated! Here is why it took us 31 days to reach Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz after weighing anchor in Las Perlas Islands in Panama. As we currently have only a 6HP outboard for an engine, we did not use that much as it bobbed out of the water in the swell. That said, we have a wind generator that kept our batteries well charged as we had ample wind most of the way. Only problem was the wind was coming from where we were going. We originally headed west, hoping to stay well north of possible pirates as reported on Noonsite, particularly around Isla Malpelo. The wind and current conspired against us, however, with wind mostly on the nose from the south, and a 2+ knot current from the east. All in all, it was a good, safe journey, and we arrived in good spirits with lots of food and water remaining, having caught a couple of good sized mahi mahi, and with books and movies yet unseen. Not many sailboats as small (read: as slow) as 34 feet do this trip, particularly at this time of year, and at present there are no other cruisers here in port. Next we are off to the Marquesas, then Penrhyn Island, etc north of the cyclone belt heading west. Fair Winds, Darrel Trueman Blue Dolphin.”

Especial thanks to Jim Wiese and Dave Wilson in Panama, and Johnny Romero in the Galapagos, for their efforts in contacting the relevant authorities.