Saturday

OceanHobo
Ivan Campbell
Sat 11 Dec 2010 14:28
13:52.368N 50:54
.419W 
 
Date: Saturday, 11 December [13:30 UTC]
 
 
Facts and figures:
  • Distance to go to St Lucia: 586 miles 
  • Day’s run 10:30 – 10:30: 165 miles (latter part of day winds E-NE F5 - F7)
  • Depth: 4000 meters
  • Closest land – French Guyana (South America): 518 miles
  • Distance to Barbados: 499 miles
  • Distance to Trinidad: 615
  • Temperature: 31 degrees centigrade
  • Relative humidity: 60%
  • Ship’s time is now –3 hours UTC
We are now 586 miles away from St Lucia and we are still firmly in the grasp of the E-NE trade winds. For six days now, we have been able to maintain good daily runs of 140, 134, 180, 180, 168 and 165 miles respectively. Wind are forecasted to lighten within the next few days.
 
We sailed with the downwind sails for most of Friday and all of Saturday so far. Winds strong and ranging between F5 – F7. Yacht speed is good considering the size of the following seas. ‘Ocean Hobo’ is performing extremely well down-wind.
 
Windflower, Nino and Enigma are still in close proximity. SSB broadcast was very difficult to pick up today, so we don’t have an accurate picture of who is where.
 
As it is Saturday, Ship’s Cook – Dermot, has advised that an extra quarter (portion?) of home backed baguette will be served to all able crewmen. Smelly cheese is also on offer, but Skipper Ivan is the only one brave enough to eat his way through the pong! Thankfully, he has his own cabin.
 
Skipper Ivan has advised the crew that they can have the day off - today being Saturday. Not such a big deal whenever we still have just under 600 miles to go and there are no shops or pubs at our current position....
 
Two Gannets were flying around the yacht this morning. These birds didn’t have the usual white/gold markings that we see in the Gannets at home and they appear to be more white and grey.
 
Nothing much else to report today so far. I will have to save up the excitement for Sunday’s blog.
 
Church Services will be held on Sunday morning for the many denominations currently on-board.
 
Kind regards from Skipper Ivan and the crew.