Conditions: Overcast
AirTemp: 21 deg C
WaterTemp: 20 deg C
Wind: SE @25 knots
SeaState: Lumpy but moderate
Visibility: V poor in drizzle
Barometer: 1022 mbs
Latitude: 26 deg 50 mins S
Longitude: 46 deg 59 mins W
Monday September 3rd, 2001
Seamaster undocked from alongside the Yacht Club Argentino in Buenos Aires at 10am on Saturday 1st September - destination north to Brazil and onto the Amazon.
It was raining and completely overcast with very poor visibility as we motored out into a stiff head wind and choppy sea - that only increased the further down the river we went.
With vast amounts of brown water flowing seawards out of the Parana River - the second biggest river in South America - straight into the incoming wind, the River Plate was quite lumpy. The short steep breaking waves, that kept leaping on deck, meant all hatches stayed firmly shut.
The lack of visibility and increasing rain didn’t improve matters.
But all of the crew were excited - the next big adventure was underway.
A few unsettled stomachs during the night cleared up next day when we turned left after passing Punta del Este at the south eastern corner of Uruguay, and freed away to the north.
As I write this we still haven’t seen the sun since before leaving Argentina. We have been at sea for over 4 days, and it rained solidly for the first 3 - almost without let-up.
And the lightning had to be seen to be believed - I have been around the world many times, have been through more intense electrical storms with thunderclaps so loud that they would shake the boat - but this trip takes the prize for length of display - 2 days and 2 nights - with very little let-up at any time.
Being in the pilot-house or on deck was like being surrounded by huge flash guns that lit the world around us from horizon to horizon. Forked lightning would flash its jagged line horizontally across the sky - for miles at a time - leaving a distinct smell of ozone in the damp air. Sheet lightning played incessantly above and through the dark clouds. Even at mid-day we had our navigation lights on, as it was twilight for much of the time. Thunder rolled continuously overhead like kettle drums from another dimension.
For the new members of the crew, this was an experience they won’t forget. The might of nature can be very humbling – it certainly made us feel very small in comparison to the enormity of the power surrounding us.
Today is Wednesday 5th September. After motoring in variable winds for a couple of days we are now sailing at a good pace with only 200 miles left to run to Sao Sebastiao, a port about 130 miles from Rio de Janeiro where we plan to formally enter Brazil.
We are early for a function in Rio de Janeiro so have time to stop and look and plan for the days, weeks and months ahead.
Omega, our main financial partners in blakexpeditions, have a press conference organised at the main Yacht Club in Rio next week - a time when we outline our plans for the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers.
So we as a crew need to be ready.
The expedition, the adventure to the Amazon and Orinoco River regions of Brazil and Venezuela, is underway.
We would like you all to sign on as crew.
We would like you all to bring as many friends, family and colleagues as possible.
There is room for all.
It will be hot - we don’t have air conditioning.
It will be humid - we plan to sleep in hammocks at night - under the awning over the boom.
There will be insects - we have our mosquito nets and our anti-malarial pills, and all feel akin to pin cushions from the jabs of recent weeks.
It will mean days of motoring up-river against a stiff outgoing current - but we have time.
It will mean seeing sights that we have only read and dreamed about - but we are prepared to be overawed.
It will mean meeting peoples from very different cultures to our own - but isn’t that what adventuring should be about?
It will be about going places and filming sights that have seldom - if ever - been seen before.
If you want to sleep well at night and not be concerned about the vampire bats - you had better not come along.
If you would rather not sample piranha for lunch - then this will not be the place to be.
Our divers will need to take special precautions against the infamous “toothpick” fish that like going places they shouldn’t.
Our jungle team will spend about a month in the waterways connecting the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers - but with technology that will allow them to report back every couple of days - directly from the river bank - or from within the jungle - with the story of the day and colour photos to match. You can be part of this team also - but it won’t be for the feint-hearted.
Seamaster will soon be negotiating rivers and waterways that will test her design and systems and crew to the full.
The Antarctic Expedition was the most memorable experience of my career so far. It has, and will continue to have, a lasting effect. I have to go back.
The Amazon and Orinoco Rivers will produce other feelings - maybe.
Apart from Marc, none of us have been there before.
To be able to go to one of the most critical environmental areas of the planet - and become part of it - even for just a little while, will be very rewarding.
We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity - especially as our crew will be millions - not just the 15 that are manning the watches at the moment.
That is what will make this such a special time for all of us.
All the best,
Peter and crew.
Sir Peter Blake
"Having vision is not enough. Change comes through realising the vision and turning it into a reality. It is easy to espouse worthy goals, values and policies; the hard part is implementation."
Learn about Sir Peter Blake and his journeys around the globe