Position Update 1200 (UTC+11) Coral Sea Day 9

Vega
Hugh and Annie
Wed 26 Sep 2018 03:30

23:07.9S 154:35.90E
COG 230T
SOG 6.0kts
Wind F4 E
Sea slight to moderate
Vis good
Baro 1024

Full mainsail and genoa.
Another lovely sunny day with a F4 breeze in the perfect direction for us to be running at 6kts and a good chance of reaching Bundaberg by lunch time tomorrow. If the wind drops further we have the cruising chute up our sleeves. The forecast is for more of the same so this full main and genoa sail plan may see us through.
Lots of shipping beginning to appear on the AIS including two that appeared to be on a collision course. One was trying to contact the other on VHF without success after it turned the “wrong” way across the other’s path, forcing that ship to change course to ensure they passed port to port as per the collision regs. As it was they passed within less than a mile which is a pretty close shave for relatively unmanoeverable 750 feet cargo ships heading towards each other at 30 knots. It’s scary how often ships do not respond to radio calls and no surprise there are still collisions.
The lentil stew is still going strong. It was a curry last night and will be chilli and rice this evening. We cannot take any fruit or vegetables into Australia and so we have freshly made onion soup for lunch. The eggs have been boiled and there are just a few spring onions remaining for salad with the eggs.
There is a release of tension on board with scrabble on the go and music playing. Must concentrate for the shipping lanes though and those humpback whales of course.