Azores to Falmouth - Day Five 44 33.730N 019 26.052W
Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Sun 20 Jul 2014 17:13
Our AIS proved very useful in this drab weather. A ship suddenly popped up on the screen this morning when 13 miles away, crossing at right angles to us with a small CPA (closest point of approach). It was the give-way vessel (regardless of the sail v power regulation) and at 10 miles changed its course to pass behind us, opening up the CPA to 3.5 miles. Assumptions being dangerous things, I then called him up and he confirmed that he had seen us on AIS and had changed course to starboard to give the 3.5 miles CPA. I thanked him and wished him well. It was nice to know that they were keeping a good watch and took the necessary action without prompting! We saw it approach, but it disappeared into the mist as it passed behind us.
The direction of the wind from the south west has allowed our heading to be further north. The detour when running in the bad weather on Friday had taken us well to the east of our original course line and we wanted to get back to it (and so away from the mainland) to keep all our options open. We crossed back over this morning and are now to the west of it, so that's good.
It was a lovely evening last night and another whale came within sight. Close enough to watch it until it dived, but not too close to cause concern. Visibility is not good enough today to see much at all - hope this is not what we can expect for the rest of the passage!
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