A Calm Night
Pemandia
Peter Fabricius
Sat 23 Jul 2016 23:40
It is 2330 and I am on watch from 2300 until 0200 on a lovely calm starry night. A lovely full moon has just risen. On the passage out, when I was single handed, I would have been asleep and indeed, there is nothing to see or worry about. However the rules for prevention of collision at sea (as well as common sense and prudence) require ships to keep a good look out at all times. So there is always one of us on watch, at night but also during the day when it would be easy for all three to be dosing in the sun or immersed in a book. . .
We have logged 170 miles, just under 4.5 knots on average. Although seems a bit slow, I am not displeased. Calms are to be expected as we head North and get away from the Azores high. Until this evening, the little breeze we had was NE and we were heading only just E of North. Inevitably we have had to do some motoring but again I am not disappointed that the engine has run for nearly 12 hours.
We are able to get both text and GRIB weather forecasts via the satellite phone and this evening, as predicted, after a spell of calm a gentle NW breeze has arrived. It is only 5-7 knots but we are slipping quietly along at our average speed of 4.5 knots. There is a happy gurgle from the waves and all is well!
Peter
Sent from Yacht Pemandia