Friday, 18th September, 2015
Luna Quest
W. Eric Faber
Fri 18 Sep 2015 09:52
Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)
Distance covered since noon yesterday: 106 logged miles
We arrived at Christmas Island at 8.30am and were rafted up to Makena (a 62-ft catamaran) at 9.30am. A moderate to fresh breeze pushed our goose-winged boat at just under 6 knots to our destination in awkward seas that seemed to be affected by a big swell from the Southwest and a counter clock current against tidal forces. It would have been an extremely frustrating passage in lighter winds. In the early morning hours a large ship crossed our bows with less than a mile to spare. I tried to call them on the radio, but there was no response. Our AIS receiver showed the track of the vessel and although we were confident that there was no danger of collision, we wondered if they had spotted us.
We spent the better part of this morning ferrying fresh water supplies by our jerry cans to the boat as the water supply opportunities in Cocos Keeling are extremely limited. We shall have to make do with the water that we have and the gas bottles we have until we get to Mauritius mid October.
Tomorrow we are being taken on a jungle tour of the island that includes seeing giant non-edible crabs and other wildlife wonders.
Eric