32:50.512 N 009:30.516 W
After a damp and foggy night the sun eventually broke through at 9
am. Shortly afterwards we caught our 6th fish a Mahi- Mahi, the day had started
well!
We were sailing along with 18 knots of wind, the forecast for the
day was 5-10 knots, when we nearly lost the fuel bladder - we carry extra fuel
in a bladder stored on the bow - it was full with 300 litres of diesel. Within
a few minutes we had 25 plus knots of wind from the south when the bladder
broke free from its supposedly secure straps. We only managed to get it back
into position when a wave broke over the bow and lifted us and the bladder off
the deck, whilst it was suspended by the water we managed to get it back into
position. Ten minutes later it broke free again so with us sat on the bladder
we managed to drain 200 litres out into the tanks and all this whilst been
covered in copious amounts of water. It took nearly 4 hours, we were wet ,cold
and exhausted. My response was....I want to go home! The wind later dropped to
5 knots and we were motoring and a happy crew again!
Some of the rally boats were harassed last night by Moroccan
fishing boats asking for whiskey and we are expecting the same again tonight.
We are travelling up the middle of the main shipping channel
between the Canaries and Europe and are continually being overtaken on both
sides by large container ships. We are hoping that the fisherman find it too
dangerous to be out here, we will see! On the first night we had 2 altercations
with large fishing boats who travel with no lights on then suddenly put them
on, change course and steam straight at you playing chicken to see if you will
change course, not very pleasant.
Who said this trip would be good fun!
