Current Activities

Expedition 2010 is underway! Skylight departed Los Angeles Harbor on Saturday, Feb 27th Inital shake down cruise was to Catalina Island where some mechanical issues were addressed (arrival Sat, Feb 27, 27nm) Next leg was to Bahia Magdelena, Mexico (arrival Sat, Mar 12, 640nm)

Major Accomplishments: Acquired support vessel for Expedition 2010 via Bargin Sale Donation!!! Moved vessel from MA to CA and reassembled Gaining sailing experience to prepare for the the expedition (ongoing) Acquired a 4-stroke low polution outboard motor and inflatable via donations Partnered with Antelope Valley Boys and Girls Club Major outfitting of "Skylight" is nearing completion! Acquisition of route planning software, navagation software, electroniccharts, and physical charts Provisioning has started (ongoing) Expedition 2010 Activities: Initial route planning and timetable (ongoing) Define high level data collection goals (completed) Review sampling and data collection methods (in progress) Acquire tools necessary to field test reef monitoring methods (completed) Field Trials of basic reef monitoring methods (completed) Review and rework reef monitoring methods and methodologies (ongoing) Train staff on ReefCheck methodologies (completed) Secondary Field Trials (Completed utilizing ReefCheck guidelines) Decide if ReefCheck Pacific protocals are appropriate for RisingTides (looks like it but a final decision hasn't been made)   Develop list of water sampling equipment needed for Expedition 2010 (basic list completed) Start gathering water sampling equipment (still need sponsors!!!) Field Test water sampling equipment and protocals T-Shirts and hats are now available for a small donation  "Skylight" Maintenance and Upgrades Topside: Replaced anchor light with LED Stepped Mast Rewired mast, radar, etc. Installed new Mast Boot Re-Installed Pulpit and mast rails Re-installed Lifelines Re-Installed Dorad Boxes and Dorad's Re-Installed running rigging including Main and headsail furling lines Re-Installed Steering Pedestal and associated wiring Added 300' of new 3/8" BB chain road Added a Delta anchor and rode Rebedded Running Rigging attachment points Polished Cabin top and Cockpit Coaming Refinished decks with Cetol Replaced stay-sail blocks Refinished Toe Rail (100') Refinished grab rails Refinished accent strips Refinished Cockpit Coaming Refinished Lazerette covers Removed Pushpit, plugged and refinished stern deck Wired hot water heater Installed Cruising Arch Installed Solid rail (lifelines) around rear 1/3rd of boat Constructed and added SCUBA tank racks Added Solar Panels and charge controller Added Wind Generators and control boxes Sewed and installed Bimini Added Cockpit Lights Added Wind Vane Installed LED Running Lights Acquired and repaired dinghy and outboard motor Recovered Life Ring Added 406 EPIRB with GPS Mounted MOB Strobe, Life Ring, and Throw Ba Modified Lifelines and Stern Gate Bottom: Sanded and re-coated bottom Replaced Zincs Polished Trim Rubbed out and polished hull Inside: Cleaned and painted most lockers Polished all portholes Repaired wash-down hose Replaced holding tank Replaced Main Head Replaced all black water plumbing Repaired fresh water leaks Replaced faucet in head Repaired and refinished wood in head Added shelves to large hanging cabinet Repaired Mast Leak and Saloon wood Installed Carbon monoxide detector Installed Smoke Detectors Cleaned out 14" of junk from deep bilge Added Flat Panel Computer Monitor Replaced Starter Rebuilt plugged Racor Filters Found and repaired "Mystery" leak in the galley Removed Galley headliner, repaired rot, and replaced Removed Engine driven refrigerator compressor Built mounts and added 10kw engine driven generator Replaced/rerouted engine cooling hoses Replaced and relocated main bilge pump switch Added High Volume bilge pump and alarm Removed engine driven refrigeration components Rebuilt main bilge pump Removed and repositioned all pumps Removed aft head and plumbing Added intake and sea strainer for DC refrigeration and Watermaker Added overboard dump for DC refrigeration and Watermaker Installed custom built watermaker Repaired and repainted refrigeration box Constructed and installed DC refrigeration system Installed LED lighting in Saloon and cabins Added POE injector for external WiFi system Added wireless router for onboard WiFi Built and tested omni and directional WiFi antennas Repaired NME 0183 wiring to/from DSC VHF Added electronic charts for Western US and Pacific Installed Airmail/Winlink software Installed route planning software Installed navigational software and world charts Added AIS receiver and integrated into NMEA 0183 network Added backup GPS and integrated into NMEA 0183 network Constructed mounts and install SCUBA Compressor Installed SSB Radio Installed Antenna tuner and connection to insulated back-stay Replaced SSB ground system Added Pactor III modem and integrate with Laptops

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