On passage: Out of Africa

Pyxis
Karen & Richard
Mon 18 May 2009 22:59

Monday 18th May – On passage:  Out of Africa

35:55.003N 12:41.656E

 

This morning we were up early and stowed the boat ready for passage.  At 8am I went and checked out in the marina office whilst Richard finished dismantling and stowing the passerelle. 

 

Then, once armed with the marina receipt from me, Richard went and checked us out with the Garde Nationale and Customs.  After completing the necessary paperwork, representatives of each came back with Richard to inspect the boat, and then declared that we were free to leave.

 

Two of the marinaros (though one was simply giving instructions from the pontoon) helped us out of our space as manoeuvring was tight due to the lazy lines extending out from the ends of the boats adjacent to us and going most of the way across the narrow channel just below the water.  The marinaro hopped on the boat next door and dropped one of the lazy lines from the stern of the boat (as he had when we arrived) so we would not snag on it and then helped pull our bow around.  Fortunately there was only a very light breeze and all went well.

 

By 9.15 we were on our way heading out of the marina.  The sun was out, the sky was clear, the visibility very hazy – it was going to be a very hot day.

 

Once out on the sea there was little wind and no swell so we motor sailed on;  even well offshore the wind remained light and so we motor-sailed on the whole day – a ridge of high pressure means that wind conditions are due to remain light all week so there isn’t a big choice in terms of when to passage.

 

Fortunately there were lots of dolphins around so at least we had company J  The Tunisian fishing boats also seemed to have a friendly homing instinct for us – coming up behind us and then passing on the way to their fishing grounds.

 

After dark we neared and passed the Italian Pelagie islands, first Lampedusa and then Linosa around midnight.

 

On Passage

 

© Pyxis 2009