4月13日 日本時間午前7時 48日目天気曇り
北緯25度58分 東経151度19分
南西の風18ノット 波1.5 M
ヘディング320度 船速7ノット
【縁の下の力持ち】
おとといの夕方、南鳥島、南の沖50マイルを航行、残マイル1000を切りました。いよいよ日本に帰ってきたという感じがしてとても嬉しいです。
昨晩は風が落ち、6時間ほど機走をしましたが、今は小名浜に向けて良い風を受けてどんどん近づいています。
到着日については、なかなか決定せず多くの方々にご迷惑をおかけしています。飛行機だと分単位で誤差が出るくらいですが、ヨットの場合、一日単位いや一週間単位でずれてきます。
現在のところ、19日か20日には着く予定ですが、これも最後の最後までわかりません。
特に、今回のプロジェクトを立ち上げるにあたって、最初からお力添えを頂いている、比企さん、安藤さん、谷本さんには本当に感謝しています。
3人の方々は、仕事としてではなく、全く個人的なボランティアとして関わって頂いています。スポンサーとの橋渡し、メディアへの対応、東京での私の移動のガイド…。
数え切れないほどのことをやって頂いています。
また、ダグの奥様の尚美さんには、今回の航行のための食料品の調達から、アメリカへの運送、パッキング、ブログの翻訳、アップ、陸上部隊長として総合的な取りまとめなど、数え切れないほどの事をして頂いており感謝。
こうやって縁の下の力持ちがあってこそ、私がこの再チャレンジをできているということに、深く深くお礼申し上げます
April 13th, 7 a.m., JST, Day 48, Weather: Clear
25.58 N 151.19 E
SW 18 kts. wind, Wave hight: 1.5 meter
Course: 320, Boat speed: 7 kts.
[ Behind-the-scene heroes ]
Our remaining distance of the voyage is now less that 1,000 NM. and we have passed Minami Torishima island. I am so happy that, we are finally back in Japan (water) !
The winds were low that we had to motor for 6 hours last night, but now sailing beautifully and heading to Onahama in great winds.
Sorry, it’s been taking long time before announcing the estimated arrival time. The calculation of EAT for sailing boats can be wrong about one day or one week, while air plaines are few minutes. Our estimation is April 19th or 20th. But, you never know until the last moment.
We have been given a major support from these people from the beginning of this project. Hiki-san, Ando-san and Tanimoto-san. I truly appreciate what you have been doing for us. They sacrificed their time and effort as volunteers. They connected us to our sponsors, dealt with media, guided me when I needed to move around in Tokyo… and many more.
I also would like to mention, Doug’s wife, Naomi-san. She took care of our foods, delivering items we need to the US, helped us packing, the translations on the blog, uploading the bog and all the countless effort for the project and worked as a commander of our team. Many thanks for her.
These behind-the-scene heroes made my second challenge possible. My deepest respect to them.
Voyage of Inspiration 〜全盲ヨットマン、夢と希望の航海〜 
I was so enlightened when I read the blog this morning saying that you all are now in Japanese waters, 👏🏻👏🏻 How wonderful that the journey is now almost over and you will be reunited with your families. I’m sure everyone who has been following your journey will give a collective sigh of relief. 😁😁 You both have been through the best and the worst of times on this voyage. You have learned that you can do anything that you set your mind and heart to,
Naomi has done such a wonderful job of keeping us abreast throughout your adventure, I am so happy that your journey is almost over, but will miss getting up in the morning and reading Naomi’s blogs.
Hiro – you are a “hero” and Doug – you were wonderful to help Hiro achieve his dream.
Naomi and Doug you know I love you both and look forward to seeing you back in Virginia.
Take care . Love and much admiration to all. May the wind continue to be always at your back,
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