28:34.0N 62:24.0W

A lively night of fast sailing in 20 knots of wind with our “slutter” rig, and a day’s run of 121 miles. Around 10:00am the wind dropped again and progress has been much slower. But sailing has taken second place today to a serious equipment problem that’s led to a significant change in our plans.

Last night the generator failed. It’s a key part of Neroli’s systems. It runs for several hours each day charging the batteries and providing power for navigation equipment, lights, other systems such as the computer and satellite phone, the fridge and the freezer and – very importantly – the water maker. The main engine can also generate electricity, but it’s far less efficient at the job and uses much more fuel to generate the same amount of power; and of course we need to reserve that fuel for emergencies.

It would take too long to discuss the likely cause. Suffice it to say that after working for many hours to identify and address the problem, Charlie determined that it can’t be fixed with the resources we have on board.

We then had to decide whether to press on toward the Azores without the generator, or to continue on our present northerly heading to Bermuda, where we could get the issue addressed and then resume the crossing to the Azores.

Pressing on was an appealing option in many ways, but would mean the loss of all our refrigerated and frozen food; very strict control of water and other supplies; reliance on our emergency provisions; limited use of instruments; and other limitations. We decided that we have to head for Bermuda. We’ll get the generator repaired, top up on supplies and set off again as soon as we possibly can.

We have very quickly adjusted to the new reality, will make the most of this brief pause, and of course look forward very much to the second leg of our journey.