Passage To Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands Day 19
Oyster Moon
Paul Foskett & Rhu Nash
Thu 5 Apr 2012 18:43
Passage To Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands Day 19
We left Puerto Ayora Galapagos Island heading for Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands at 08.00 am local time UTC (GMT) - 6 hours on Sunday the 18 Mach 2012.
Day 19 Distance to go, 711 miles.
Log reading now at noon 14177
Distance travelled noon to noon over the ground was 132 miles, through the water 136 miles.
Noon to Noon report on the 5th April 12
We had another close encounter with a very large Tuna Fishing vessel around 00.30 this morning.
We had been sailing all day with the cruising shoot up, and as the night was look good again, we decided to kept it up as night approached, with the intention of keeping it up as long as possible.
At about 00.30, as happened last night I could see the Tuna Fishing vessel off in the distance. Our tracks were starting to approach each other so I tried radioing the vessel, but got no reply at all. I then started shining my very powerful flood light at it, followed by more radio calls, still not reply.
It became very obvious that they either where not maintaining any sort of watch for any vessels nearby, or they just did not care.
This time we made the decision to alter course and sail behind the Tuna vessel, thus allowing us to keep up the cruising shoot.
So again to any sailors in any ocean, beware of fishing vessels they do not keep a watch system going at all. This is now the fifth time one of our group has had a very similar experience. It makes you think and keep your own watch system going regardless of how long it has been since you last saw another vessel.
The sea state is now moderate with a swell running of about 3.00 m.
Wildlife report
Flying fish and some sea birds, but not much else.
Shipping report
A TUNA FISHING VESSEL .
Fishing report
Well it's one up to the fish today, as I think one of them bit off my lure completely, as all I had when I pulled the line in for the night was just that i.e. the line with the swivel at the end and nothing else.
Fleet Positions
Karacool set off with us, and her position is 87 miles ahead of us.
Camelot set off on Tuesday and is now ? miles behind us. (no position report)
Marita 3 set off on Tuesday and is now ? miles behind us. (no position report)
Next report on the 6th April.
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