Current position "14:11.4N 58:56.5W”. Well we finally cracked – after looking at the latest forecast we realised we could be doing nothing for several more days and concluded there were better things to be enjoyed in St Lucia than sitting stationary in the Atlantic! So the engine went on last night – it was a good feeling to be moving again. We thought we’d have enough fuel to get us about 2/3 the way there and we’d hope to catch some more wind closer in. But by using low revs on the engine it looked like we’d be able to make it all the way.

 

That was plan A. Plan B unfolded about an hour ago when we heard another boat calling on the radio; they were calling someone who they could see ahead, but that boat wasn’t listening, so we let them know we were further away but could hear. It turns out this is Kotari, the boat that has engine trouble. They are short of food and also have three crew members who have to be on planes on Sunday. So we turned around and headed NNE about 15 miles to intercept them. Ironically as we approached them the wind came up a little, but we made a transfer of food supplies and sandwiches for their lunch! In return Kotari gave us spare fuel. See pic of transfer. Right now we are sailing together, both under main and cruising chutes. We’ve planned a hot dinner for them which we plan to send over in a ship-to-ship transfer rather like the navy does (that’s the plan anyway!). We’ll see how things unfold – it looks like the wind might just hold which would be great. If not we may give them a tow, or take their three who need to get to St Lucia, but let’s see.

 

Meantime, we nearly lost the pin that holds the boom on to the mast at the “goose-neck” – this was a miss from our daily boat checks; easily done as it is normally covered up by the sail cover (See pic). We found a nut and washer on the deck and were about to launch James up the mast to look where they’d come from when this little discovery was made. It would have made quite a mess if it had come out, so great save. Interestingly, Kotari told us they had the same problem, except in their case they didn’t catch it in time so ended up with the mast dropping on the deck. Good thing no-one was hurt.