Close encounters with the Sri Lankan fishing fleet!
Bobbejaan
J Louw(s)
Tue 1 Dec 2009 13:02
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Position:
5:55N 84:00E
Distance travelled: 2147nm
Distance to go: 937nm
Day: 24
Fish caught today: 0
We had four fishing boats chasing us today
and one last night. They are 140 miles from the closest land in no more than a
single engine wooden boat 30 feet long. They want cigarettes, whiskey or
beer. After the first boat came within a few feet of us, we decided to
outrun them. You know, have some fun! So, we will do 6 knots which is
faster than they can go and then we will slow down as soon as they give up
the chase. Then they will chase us again waving like crazy for us to stop. One
chase lasted about 20 miles.
We are going against the current at the
moment and it is no fun doing 3 knots or less. At least when the moon is out we
get a little more speed. We are also seeing a lot of thunderstorms around
us. These have some of the most spectacular cloud formation. At night, we have
amazing lightning shows. We have a beautiful full moon tonight. It is so
bright you can see miles at night.
We are right in the middle of the shipping
lane and there are about 10 boats around us all the time. We had a few passed
by less than 500m from us. The bow wave is making an interesting
ride.
Jessa is doing much better now that she
takes the sea sick tablets every day. We are still waiting for the rough weather
to see if she can handle it.
BTW...the fish cakes yesterday was super
delicious!
Johann
SY
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