100 Nautical miles up the Sea of Cortez. Excellent passage. Fantastic crew! Water temp 80 degrees, air temp 80 degrees.  Fairly calm seas and wind mostly from the S  SE.   We all learned a lot.  

Arrived La Paz - June 23rd
June 24th, 2022 Departed La Paz 1300. 20NM to Caleta Partita.  Anchored in 15'.  35+K Cormuels all night.  Had to tend anchor at 0300.

June 25th, departed Caleta Partita to San Francisco. 22NM.  Calm anchored with multiple party boats.  Good sleep.

June 26, 0800, San Francisco to San Everisto fishing village.  Excellent lunch.  Winds picked up from the south with rain.  Departed San Everisto 1200 for Aqua Verde.  Approximately 40 NM.  Arrived 2100 hrs.  Excellent sailing with Genoa only 5-7K.  Practiced POB. 

June 27 -  Aqua Verde all day and night.  REST, hike, snorkel, swim, eat.

June 28 - Aqua Verde to Isla Desanta, Honey Moon Cove.  Calm, paddle board, swim, slept. 20NM

June 29 - Honey Moon Cove to Puerto Escondido 3NM

BAJAHAHA 2021 - Diane Berol aboard SV Celtic Song
Sailing Vessel Celtic Song, Pacific Seacraft 40, left Nov.1, 2021 in the windiest BajaHaHa in 27 years. On Leg 1 from San Diego to Turtle Bay (2 days and 2 nights). We sailed with a double reefed main which allowed for consistent boat speeds of 6 - 7 knots, occasionally surfing down 10’ seas at speeds up to 10.8 k. Wheeeee, it was FUN! Wind speeds on the first two legs were steadily in the 20+K range, gusts up to 30K. Fortunately boat and crew were prepared!
The second leg, from Turtle Bay to Bahia Santa Maria were sailed with Genoa only or reefed Genoa. At night the wind picked up to 28 knots. Below it felt like we were torpedoing through the water. Wind was from behind so we were constantly on alert for an accidental gybe, and in these conditions it would be disastrous. There were accidental gybes in the fleet and it resulted in gear being ripped off the deck. I consistently thanked the Sea Gods for delivering us intact with all body and boat parts.
We had 4 souls on board and maintained a 2 hour watch rotation. This allowed plenty of rest and sleep. Sharon, Cheryl and Francis had spent many hours in previous training and knew each other and the boat systems. All systems on board were used and worked.
Celtic Song’s systems include: Spectra watermaker, solar panels, diesel generator, Raymarine electronics and Coastal explorer Chartplotter, Autohelm Autopilot ( a lifesaver), Iridium Glow Satphone which allowed us to download Predictwind weather forecasts, AIS, Ham and Single- side band radio, and our super strong and reliable Lighthouse Windlass, Cool Blue fridge and freezer, Winslow life raft and EPIRB.
At night we wore a harness and type 3 PFD and were tethered to High Jacklines. Preparation and training resulted in smooth sailing and NOT a lot of work.
Twenty miles N. of Cabo at 9pm a distress call came over our VHF. It was SV Tabu who was dead in the water because of a broken rudder. The wind had died but the seas were large and confused. It was very uncomfortable for them being uncontrollably tossed around. We were the closest vessel and came to their assistance. After 2 hours and 3 attempts we secured a tow line to them. We pointed our bow South toward Cabo and gently accelerated. Unfortunately our 56HP Yanmar was not capable of towing a 44’ , 15Ton vessel with a broken rudder. We called a PANPAN distress and hailed the Mexican Navy who came to their assistance. Celtic Song was given the “Good Samaritan” Award!
This is Celtic Song’s first leg of cruising. Plans are to explore the many remote, pristine anchorages of the islands in the Sea of Cortez and snorkel in the tropical warm waters before sailing across to French Polynesia. The journey is planned to be slow so we can savor the many experiences cruising has to offer. I believe it wise to pick your goals wisely because it determines your day to day experiences. The goals and the journey are our lives.

 One of my favorite poems:
On an ancient wall in China, where the brooding Buddha blinks Deeply graven is the message; it is later than you think
The clock of life is wound but once and no man has the power To tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour
Now is all the time you own, the past a golden link
Go cruising now my brother it is later than you think. ~
anonymous

Hello! This is Christian. This past week we took part in a 4-day Offshore Medical Class to learn about survival medicine at sea. The week was full of demos and discussions, ultimately leaving all of us with great takeaways to carry throughout our adventures.

A few personal reflections regarding our training:

• Rescuing an unconscious crew-member from the water is extremely difficult and within just a few minutes they could be far under the surface of the water. Wearing a life-vest and/or a tether is really the difference between life and death when it comes to these rescue operations.
  
  If Myron (our volunteer to practice) had not been wearing a buoyant wetsuit and was truly unconscious, the 2 minutes it took me to get into the water to grab him would have been far too late to do anything. Yet with a flotation device, be it pfd, or being tethered to the boat, Myron would still be relatively close to the surface (or on it) and rescue is still possible!
  
  
• Medicine at sea is really the last and final safety net for accidents at sea. It is really important to have safety measures, standard operating procedures, and common sense to help prevent the need for performing survival medicine at sea. This is why on Celtic Song we have rules about going to the bow (have a spotter), wearing tethers when alone on deck, and familiarizing yourself with all the equipment on board in case of an emergency.
  
  
• Practice, practice, practice. Seriously I can't understate the benefit of going through emergency procedures slowly and without error before the stress of a real emergency hits. All of the time spent practicing how to communicate effectively, getting the right medical equipment, and delegating tasks to crew is tested when an emergency happens. I swear it is a test you don't want to fail. During this week's training I learned about how stress affects my own ability communicate, and it was really difficult even under the watchful eye of a medical professional. Don't assume you can perform life-saving medical treatments, rescues, or run a crises response if you have not practiced. That is a recipe for regret!

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