GPS Tracking provides detailed data on Ocean racing boats.
by News Editor on 1 Nov 2000
Berrimilla Rachel Nahum
Grasshopper at 8.15pm is beating towards Lord Howe Island, current position 31° 15 S 158° 19 E, in the last 10 minutes her average speed has been 6.70 knots. Her heading over that period was 80 ° M. At this time Grasshopper still has 47 nm miles to go to reach the Island.
It is expected that Grasshopper will reach the safety of the Lagoon by first light.
Sail-world.com is able to release this data, because it is providing no competitive advantage to another yacht.
Berrimilla at 8.15pm is reaching back to Sydney at more than 8 knots, some 240 miles from ittwater. Her current position 32° 4 S 156° 20 E and her average heading has been 240 ° M
Other yachts currently at Lord Howe Island have had their Star Track units remotely switched to 8 hourly updates.
This lower level of tracking is designed to conserve battery life. These units for safety purposes place no reliance on the boats power supply.
As we saw with Delta Wing, when only a few hours from the start it lost all power. Delta Wing was unable to use VHF or HF radio to contact the outside world.
However, with the aid of the Star Track unit, switched from 30 to 2 minutes…the exact position of Delta Wing was known at all times.
For the return trip from Lord Howe back to their home ports, safety authorities, relatives & friends can be assured that the position of the boats will be known.
Relatives & friends who need more information on tracking details for the return journey should contact sail-world.com
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.yachtsandyachting.com/931
