Frenchman sets sail across Atlantic in a barrel!

Jean-Luc Van den Heede (Golden Globe race leader) not so far and on a convergent route, could rescued him in case of ...., his last vacation Jan 2 :
Les Actualités | Jean-Luc Van Den Heede https://www.vdh.fr/actualités

 

This is prime sailing weather for crossing the central Atlantic. Agree, hopefully he can get a rescue if he needs it from Jean-Luc or another vessel. If he gets blown too far north though it will make rescue more difficult. Bummer he doesn’t have a sail on that thing. Only a few days out and we’re already talking rescue.

Let’s tag-team and keep loose tabs on him.

 

How will he communicate? I didn't even see antenna, so does he only have a sat phone? Might be a bit cumbersome hailing a neighboring vessel. Did anyone see antenna on the tub?

 

From his list of equipment, he has IridiumGO, 2 VHS, AIS (and a common antenna), a Spot3 Globalstar beacon (allowing his tracking on internet), personal and emergency beacons.

 

His turn to North confirmed by the last 01-04 position, and the meteo map still unchanged, the trade winds are currently far in the south :

Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau - Google My Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?fbclid=IwAR2mEJ-mP_znARe5wf6cmkAYNlQSUODf-h4bK4q1cyCBkaVOio-RflY-ed4&mid=1UiW0t61m2NF2aHiWQ8Q3S3TvQhdhfRoW&ll=27.38682479566671%2C-20.84681215620094&z=7

Weather Forecast Maps https://www.ventusky.com/?p=30.5;-29.9;3&l=wind-10m

 

Isn't the fear that he will go too far north?

 

That's the threat clearly, that he could never be catched by the trade winds promise by the statistics.
Here is the 01-06 position, still oriented NW in a forcing wind :
Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau - Google My Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?fbclid=IwAR2mEJ-mP_znARe5wf6cmkAYNlQSUODf-h4bK4q1cyCBkaVOio-RflY-ed4&mid=1UiW0t61m2NF2aHiWQ8Q3S3TvQhdhfRoW&ll=26.509803605628285%2C-20.473484296199103&z=7
, in full coherence with the wind map :
Weather Forecast Maps https://www.ventusky.com/?p=22.6;-33.4;3&l=wind-10m

 

You're right he's still "barreling" on towards a north/northwest course. Anyone want to bet he will end up? Some guesses:

• Greenland
• Nova Scotia
• Caribbean (via a rotating central Atlantic weather system in the pic below). Wouldn't he be lucky!?

January 7, 2019 lucky weather feature of the day: Will it last long enough? Could it catapult him south again to the westerly trade winds...and on to the Caribbean?

 

From his message 05-01, he tried to curb as much as possible this trend by using a floating anchor and ropes, but at very low speed is it efficient ?
Source, his Facebook :
TESA : Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau https://m.facebook.com/BOUTESA

 

The sea anchor definitely shouldn't hurt. He was obviously hoping to catch the Canary Current, which heads southwest from the Canary Islands. However, I just don't think his sea anchor is deep enough to catch it and turn him around. The surface currents are generated by the wind and these continue to push him northwest.

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Looking at the long term (14 day) wind forecast those northern winds continue to dominate the chart (see link below). I'm afraid the timing of his launch just doesn't look good. If I were him I would consider requesting assistance from a vessel heading west/southwest and perhaps re-launch him further south. Otherwise, Mother Nature says she's off to the North Atlantic with him.

Also, he's just gotten over a bout of sea sickness. The wind & waves will increase on his current route so he might be in for a rough time. I sailed the North Atlantic about 30 years ago and most recently back in 2012. Huge waves. Cold temps. The sooner he can get assistance the better. If not, he's in for a very rough time.

Product Loops https://ocean.weather.gov/Loops/index.php?category=atlantic&product=atl500f72&days=14&loop=1

 

Here the tracking with the last 01-09 position and the wind map, it seems he eventually can avoid the divergence towards North, a relief for sure :
Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau - Google My Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?fbclid=IwAR2mEJ-mP_znARe5wf6cmkAYNlQSUODf-h4bK4q1cyCBkaVOio-RflY-ed4&mid=1UiW0t61m2NF2aHiWQ8Q3S3TvQhdhfRoW&ll=27.38682479566671%2C-20.84681215620094&z=7
Weather Forecast Maps https://www.ventusky.com/?p=30.5;-29.9;3&l=wind-10m

 

The wind is interesting. I suspect they know the currents as well.

 

He's got westerly winds for the moment at about 15kmh, but he's approaching northern 15-20km north winds. Hopefully they ease up for Jean-Jacques and allow him to continue west. It's going to be close.

Life in a barrel! Still can't believe it.

 

Tracking of the day with the 01-10 position : confirmation of the west orientation of his route, but the bend to NW costs him to be out of the trade winds main stream, he is still exposed to either light winds or a Low passage.
Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau - Google My Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?fbclid=IwAR2mEJ-mP_znARe5wf6cmkAYNlQSUODf-h4bK4q1cyCBkaVOio-RflY-ed4&mid=1UiW0t61m2NF2aHiWQ8Q3S3TvQhdhfRoW&ll=27.93174928513356%2C-20.52820864057594&z=6
Weather Forecast Maps https://www.ventusky.com/?p=26.9;-31.3;4&l=wind-10m

PS : if you are interested in the role of oak barrels in the quality of the red wine, here are some explanations. To note that this endless debate was triggered by the personal preference of a US famous wine expert, Robert Parker.
Beaux-vins: Qu'est-ce que le boisé du vin ? http://beaux-vins.blogspot.com/2016/05/quest-ce-que-le-boise-du-vin.html

 

Tracking with the 11-11 position and the wind map. Aie aie aie ....., after a zero wind period he is now under the threat of a Low with SW wind !
Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau - Google My Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?fbclid=IwAR2mEJ-mP_znARe5wf6cmkAYNlQSUODf-h4bK4q1cyCBkaVOio-RflY-ed4&mid=1UiW0t61m2NF2aHiWQ8Q3S3TvQhdhfRoW&ll=28.884817777458984%2C-22.189787726275654&z=7
Weather Forecast Maps https://www.ventusky.com/?p=25.8;-28.1;4&l=wind-10m