04:48.919N 080:43.362W The Doldrums
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Thu 24 Feb 2022 01:13
We have left the Atlantic Ocean behind and are now cruising through the
world's largest ocean, the Pacific Ocean. As we move from the Northern
hemisphere to the Southern hemisphere, we will pass through what is known as
the Doldrums, before arriving in the Trade Wind belt. At this time of year,
we will most lightly avoid tropical storms and any really bad weather, but
there are certain weather conditions that we must be aware of and plan for.
Colloquially known as the Doldrums, the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
(ITCZ) is the thermal equator of the world. The low pressure of the north
easterly trade winds in the northern hemisphere and the south easterly trade
winds in the southern hemisphere meet and between them is a band of very
light wind and often high cumulonimbus clouds. The resulting forward motion
is depressingly slow in an oppressively hot and sticky atmosphere. To avoid
the Doldrum blues, we have decided, in advance, that we will turn on the air
conditioning and watch a movie, should such a scenario ensue. Being onboard
a luxurious Oyster 655 comes with many advantages. Currently we are sailing
with the Genoa up, with winds of 12-18 knots at an average speed of 6 knots
and the temperature is very pleasant. Fingers crossed that this remains.
Louis and his new playmate, Rob (equally nerdy in the engineering and
mechanical department), are, as I write, "getting to know" the spinnaker, so
all things going well, we may be flying her soon, with yards of sail cloth
pulling us merrily along! Playtime is over and we are to wait until tomorrow
for some spinnaker shenanigans .
This morning over a period of about 3 hours, we saw a constant stream of
plastic and Styrofoam floating past, along with a tree, with branches and
leaves still attached, and some logs. A friendly Booby landed on one for the
logs for a 5 minute rest from its day of constant flight. It seems that a
vessel ahead is treating the Pacific as its own personal garbage patch.
Research shows that microplastics are found from the highest peaks in the
Pyrenees, in France; to the deepest depths of the ocean in the Mariana
Trench, in the Pacific; as well as in the ice floes in between Greenland and
Svalbard. All life on earth is more and more negatively affected by the
lethargy of mankind. We, as an intelligent race, need to take the time that
is needed to reuse and to move to a circular economy in every realm, so that
the planet can flourish.