One of the best ways to prepare for the Caribbean 1500 and other long offshore passages is by learning from the experts and sharing advice and tips.   At the Ocean Cruising Seminar on March 24-25 in Annapolis MD, this is exactly what you can do!

Only an hour before the start of the late arrivals happy hour and prizegiving, Defiant, the Wauquiez 43 stricken with a steering problems over 400 miles from Tortola, made their arrival in Nanny Cay to rousing applause from other rally participants. Class B results were calculated and special awards handed out on the final evening in Nanny Cay.

S/V Lady, one of the rally boats who arrived several days ago, received a serendipitous message over SSB from one of the yachts en route from Bermuda.

Of the boats who have been sailing direct from Hampton, only four boats remain at sea, three of which are due in this morning in Nanny Cay. Three yachts remain in Bermuda, and Defiant continues south.

Blackbird, the Bill Tripp designed 78-foot carbon fibre yacht, took overall victory on corrected time for the BVI fleet at the Awards Ceremony last evening in Nanny Cay. The Bahamas fleet prizegiving was held in Green Turtle Cay over the weekend, with the Bristol 56.6 Amour V taking the victory there. Bahamas results are posted here.

Twenty-five yachts have now arrived in Nanny Cay. Last night, following another happy hour and BBQ on the beach, several boats crossed the finish line and made their way into the marina.

The last remaining yacht in the Bahamas Fleet has safely arrived at Bluff House Marina.

Last night crews in Nanny Cay enjoyed the first event on the Tortola program. Three more yachts arrived overnight.

The last boat to arrive in the Bahamas was expected to make landfall this morning. Of the nine-strong fleet, seven have arrived - Curlew remains in Marsh Harbor, Adagio is safe in the US.

Johnny Powell has been welcoming the Bahamas fleet in Green Turtle Cay this week. Troubador, Bentana and Transylvania remain at sea.

After spending the night at Virgin Gorda, Fat Cat finds their way into Nanny Cay marina shortly after Blackbird's arrival this morning.

Dennis Jud's Shearwater 39 Centime has suffered damage in the Gulf Stream shortly after re-starting, and are headed home.

After delaying the start for nearly a week in Hampton, ralliers are now experience light winds in the vast high pressure system that filled in behind the cold front that the fleet set sail in. The weather pattern has made for interesting passages and changed plans for many.

With a faulty alternator and no ability to charge their batteries - and therefore severely restricted communications and no autopilot -  the crew of Adagio face a tiring slog back to the United States.

Citing crew time commitments, s/v Beckoning, Jim Wohlleber's Catalina 470, has diverted back to Hampton.

Heidi Love and Dennis Jud on Centime, a Shearwater 39, have diverted from the course to go into Beaufort NC as a result of engine problems. They expect to be able to get the parts they need and be underway again in a few days. 

After almost a week of delays thanks to Tropical Storm Sean, the 22nd Caribbean 1500 fleet is finally under way.  Pacer 42 Madrugada lead Blackbird across the line off Old Point Comfort in clear and blustery conditions, and the majority of the fleet are now on passage.  
A few remain in Hampton waiting for crew changes.  Follow the fleet at http://www.worldcruising.com/carib1500/viewer.aspx

Though nothing involving the weather is ever guaranteed, tomorrow looks like a go for the 2011 Caribbean 1500.