Wednesday 13/04/11

1200UT Position 30:48.4N  64:59.0W

Distance run 1200UT - 12000UT: 176NM

1200UT COG 025M, SOG 7.4kts, wind 133M 13kts, baro 1021 rising slowly

1200UT Temperatures: Air 22, Sea 21

Intention: to continue to Bermuda (St Georges) 97NM

 

The last 24 hours have more than made up for the battering received in the previous period.  With the sea reducing to Slight, a North Easterly slowly veering South Easterly and reducing from 17 to 13 knots, clear skies with a moon to light our way by night and a sun by day, we are making wonderful progress on a white sail reach at 7 to 8 knots.  This is what ocean sailing is about, and the delights of Juan de Bermudez' islands are, barring mishaps, less than 24 hours away!  [Historical note: Bermuda was first sighted by the Spanish explorer in 1503 and was later colonised by Sir George Somers who with his entire crew survived shipwreck.]  There is, however, a disappointing lack of sealife without even the effervescence caused by our passage through the water or the 'Sargassso Sea' seaweed visible, although our daily seabird did report in.

 

This boat speed has resulted in fully charged batteries with all systems running and Tom, our water-driven generator (DuoGen), has been lifted out several times although shunt loads protect the batteries from over charging.  The conditions also allowed a more substantial supper to be prepared than the previous night with pork chops and veggies being eaten as the sun set (2242UT).  We first received Navtex messages from Bermuda yesterday and at 0800UT heard its Harbour Radio on VHF 16 over 130NM away.  We had been told that there are powerful transmitters and radars on the islands, the latter apparently capable of measuring one's inside leg at 20 miles, and not to forget to contact Bermuda Harbour Radio on VHF from 30 miles out.

 

Next report hopefully from St George's Harbour tomorrow.