Longitude West

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Tue 2 Mar 2021 23:19
Position: 43 14.9 S 179 56.0 W
Course: ESE Speed: 6 knots
Wind: NNE F4 Sea: moderate Swell: NE 2 m
Weather: sunny and mild
Day’s run: 155 nm

We have just crossed the 180th meridian which means our longitude is now measured west from Greenwich and our local date is yesterday. However, because Chatham Island is part of New Zealand then of course the date line kinks around it. I have adjusted Sylph time to Chatham Island time. According to my computer Chatham Islands time zone is +12.45. What a peculiar time zone.

We have continued to make good progress. Our ETA remains midday tomorrow, so I would hope to be at anchor (either Port Hutt or Waitangi Bay depending on local conditions) before sunset. The wind has eased slightly allowing the second reef in the mainsail to be shaken out and the jib to be unrolled 100%.

The sailing is now relatively pleasant.

The cat remains content.

All is well.