It has been near gale force since yesterday afternoon and we’ve been running downwind under only a reefed genoa but making good progress.

 

This passage takes us close north to three shallow banks, Navidad, Silver and Mouchoir.  We are now about 8NM from Silver Bank, its an enormous patch, around 1300 square miles that rises rapidly from the seabed 4000 metres below us.  It is topped off with a coral reef and lots of exposed rocks and the odd wreck or two.  None of these banks are marked with navigation aids such as buoys or lights so we’re totally dependent on our charts and gps to locate them, especially in the dark!