Friday night 14.11N 60.39W 18 miles to go
Moonshine
Sat 16 Dec 2006 01:46
It's been a good day, hot, with occasional rain showers and some squalls to cool us and keep us on our toes. The dolphins have become a regular feature now. Today we had vast squadrons of the more familiar bottle nosed type. Still not as pretty as the ones we have at home, as the colouring is darker, and without the white underside. Very entertaining though, but quite dangerous! The danger comes from our own excitement as we forget all safety rules, and rush around on deck trying to film them.
We answered a call for assistance today. One of the disabled boats is running out of fuel. It has a broken mast fitting, is having difficulty sailing, and they think they will run out of fuel before reaching St. Lucia.
We are behind them on a converging course. We have suggested they continue, and radio us should that be so in order that we may assist, and transfer fuel. Luckily the weather is very flat right now, so that shouldn't be too difficult.
We are getting close to the islands now.
To our right, about 30 miles distant, we can clearly see the lights of Martinique, on our left, about 60 miles, the loom of light from St. Vincent, and slightly to our port bow, the loom of light from St Lucia.
The towns and villages of St Lucia are mainly on the carribean side of the island, and so are hidden to us.The only direct lights we can see come from the airport at the south side of the island about 30 miles away.
There are no useful identifying lights to guide us in, and it is very dark. We have radar, and we have gps, but all the clever electronic gadgets in the world don't beat actually seeing the rocks!
On that note, I'm going back on deck.
Rod Dave and Alun
SY Moonshine
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