Early in the morning last Saturday, a ragtag crew of 5 TSPS pirates set out to deliver a Festa 31 from the southern tip of the Miura peninsula to a fabled port near Numazu on the west side of the Izu peninsula. After raiding a Family Mart of all breakfast and lunch foods for their perilous journey, the infamous Captain “Remorseless” Rick Pawell ordered the crew (First Mate Ramir “The Banyaga (the Rascal)” Cimafranca, Sailing Master Stephan “Das Meer (the Sea)” Riediger, Gunner Igor “безумец (the Madman)” Kostarnov, and Boatswain Davy “Jones Locker” Edwards, to the awaiting vessel “Der Meer”. (The sailing master later verified that this was in fact a Dutch name, not German.) The crew departed at 6:45am.

The morning wind roared and the crew suffered as cold winds came from the northeast at about 15-20 knots across Sagami Bay. After hoisting the mainsail and deciding on the route across the bay, the crew began to reminisce on the considerable pirate juice consumed at RSD Village Guesthouse the night before and the crew’s dreadful snoring that permeated the quiet night air of the peaceful village. Although the crew briefly hoisted the jib sail, a decision was made to take it down a short while later.

After passing near the southern tip of Izu Oshima island ahead of schedule, Remorseless Rick ordered the crew to jibe since the vessel was traveling too close to the dangerous shores of the Izu peninsula near Shimoda. The crew executed the jibe of the mainsail to the general satisfaction of the captain and was fortunate enough to avoid the deadly fishing buoys in the area. Finally, Der Meer motored into the dock at Shimoda Umi-no-Eki at around 2pm. The pirates had sailed across Sagami Bay at an average speed of about 7 knots – well ahead of schedule!

Of course, the ensuing celebration and consumption of libations in the port of Shimoda will have to remain off the permanent TSPS records and become a part of pirate lore…but it may have included imbibing Asahi Super Dry on the way to a beautiful beach, a long walk in search of more brew, a cramped taxi ride, a less than happy taxi driver, a search for open pubs, and a restaurant being forced open 20 minutes early by the pirates…  

Tune in next week for the continuing adventures of “Der Meer” and its pirate crew from Shimoda to Numazu. (A dreadful storm on Sunday packing winds of 30-40 knots forced the crew to return by train to its den in Tokyo.)

Following the announcement of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html) to avoid group gatherings to control the spread of COVID-19, as well as the announcement of the cancellation of the Japan International Boat Show 2020, at which TSPS had planned to have a booth, the current TSPS Bridge, comprising six past TSPS Commanders, has decided to invoke Article 9.2. of the TSPS By Laws, which states that “If Circumstances makes it impractical to hold any meeting as provided herein, the Executive Committee may waive such a meeting or set another meeting date.” We believe that the prevailing circumstances warrant caution and this important decision protects our members.

However, it is important to note that this is not a cancellation of the annual Change of Watch, but only a postponement. The Bridge plans to meet on 18th March to review this position, and we will advise members accordingly thereafter.

If the situation improves over the next few months, we hope to hold the Change of Watch sometime in May after Golden Week. Failing such an improvement, the Bridge will request an “aye” or “nay” email vote for the proposed Bridge from TSPS members. We will also provide members with profiles of each proposed Bridge member in the event that this email vote is necessary.

The Bridge hopes you support this decision as we believe “It is better to be safe than sorry” with regards to the health and welfare of our members, friends, and families.

The schedule for the JMRA English language exams for the Japan Class 1 and 2 boat licenses has been announced. Go here for the schedule.

The annual TSPS Fall BBQ held on Saturday, 9 November from 10am til 3pm at Yume-no-shima Marina was well-attended by TSPS members and non-members alike. The weather was pleasant and the Sailability Tokyo staff ensured easy dinghy sailing for all. On the 2nd Floor of the Yume-no-shima Marine Center, TSPS members made sure that there was plenty of delicious BBQ and free flow drinks to go around. 

Some fun moments from the event were captured in the photos below:

The TSPS Beginning Sail class continued its OTW sailing practice sessions from Hayama Marina on Saturday, September 28th. Five students were on the boat this time, with instructor Mike Snyder. We continued to practice raising sails, steering, tacking and jibing. In addition, this time we practiced anchoring the sailboat near Morito 森戸 Beach, which is located south of Hayama Marina.

As for sea conditions, we experienced low to low-moderate winds of 8 knots max and a flat sea – conditions that were pretty much similar to the first two on-the-water classes. The boat’s max speed was 6.6 knots and we sailed a total distance of 24 km (13 nm).

On Sunday July 21 the TSPS Beginning Sail class finally got underway with 9 future sailors signed up. Six students were able to make the first class, with instructor Mike Snyder. The weather was good for a first time out, 3-8 knots. We went through raising sails, steering, tacking and jibing. It was a good start for the class. We will be holding the class through August and early September, with classes added as needed to assure that all the students have at least 4 times out on the boat.

Thanks to member Nemanja Komatinovic and sail student for the photos.

After 55 days at sea, blind sailor Hiro Iwamoto and his sighted fellow crewman Doug Smith, friend of TSPS, made it to Sun Marina in Onahama, Fukushima, Japan on April 20, 2019. This was the second attempt by Hiro to sail across the Pacific, the first attempt having been cut short by a whale hitting and sinking his boat off of Japan. This time, he began from San Diego, California. 

Go here for more of the story and more photos.

Congratulations to Hiro and Doug on their great achievement. They can be very proud of themselves and what they accomplished.

We hope to see them at a TSPS event one day to tell us more of their voyage.