09:18.42S 137:45.40E

Day two and the wind is still strong, between 15 and 20 knots, pushing us in the general direction of the coast off Irian Jaya.  We have heard from boats ahead that there are literally hundreds of fishing boats as we approach the Kai Islands in the Banda Sea where we are heading.  We will need to keep 50 miles offshore from Salah Point (the southern-most peninsula of Irian Jaya) in order to avoid some of them.  We still have 5 other yachts near or within sight, although the majority of the fleet is now well ahead.  We had a slight scare yesterday when one of the catamarans came within a boats length of us with no one on the helm, and running on the auto-pilot.  Luckily we had been watching them closely and when we realised they were not under command we reduced sail and turned away.  A call on the VHF radio alerted them and they too turned away and headed off south.  At last the sky is clear and we have a lovely sunny day.  All well on board, despite the rather uncomfortable swell which Carol (and us) would not enjoy!.  In the 24 hours from noon yesterday to noon today we have run 147 miles.  377 miles to go.