36:57N 43:52W Proceeding under sail at last
The Snark on The ARC
Ben Little
Sat 21 May 2011 06:03
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Hi Folks,
a more upbeat note on The Snark tonight, not only
have we had a rather fun day (more on that later) but we have it seems also
managed to navigate though the dead zone that has been plaguing us for the past
6 days and we now have the engine off (we hope for good) and we are making
between 6.5 and 7.5 knots in around 9 knots of breeze. Hopefully this will
stay with us and indeed build. The implications are we will not be out on the
Atlantic for another week and we will not have to start eating the fixtures and
fittings (or each other). Hopefully it will stay with us for the
next 24 hours and then as per the forecast build to stronger southerly winds to
power us home.
So what else happened today, well firstly this
morning we were visited by some Minky whales at first light around 5:30 I was
just settling down for a snooze on deck with Quentin on watch with me and
having just dozed off after 10 minutes I was awoken by a rather sheepish Quentin
saying "Ben Ben I think there is a huge shark following us" after a
quick look first one then a second Minky whale surfaced one even did a breach
for us. They were I imagine a young breeding pair as they were quite small
by comparison with some others I have seen but far from new borns. They
stayed with us for 10 - 15 minutes but well worth being woken for.
Secondly; we finally braved the waters of the mid
Atlantic for our Mid Atlantic swim
marks the spot. We were inspired by the
apparent lack of purple nasty jelly fish (which sadly re-appeared later in the
day) and the opportunity to swim with the dolphins which were surrounding the
boat. Some of the team were a little apprehensive to say the least and had
to be thrown in by the skipper but the water was quite warm (warmer than when
diving in Bermuda) and jelly fish free. The dolphins immediately noticed
something was up and came to investigate. Mike was spooked made a
squealing sound and was quickly out of the water and onto the boat again.
In his defense there were 4 dorsal fins approaching jaws like but with the aid
of snorkel and goggles they did not look so frightening. While they did
not come within touching distance they were within a few yards and we did get
some footage. Given the Jelly fish situation and the movement of the boat
none of us fancied swimming out to meet them, perhaps an opportunity
missed. I can't upload the video until we get to Horta in the Azores but
will do so then along with a Dolphin whale and turtle compilation for your
viewing pleasure.
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was the
midway marker. Boats following look out for the Mid Atlantic marker buoy
at approximate location
We were just commenting on how we had passed midway and could have a
celebratory lunch with our guest (yesterday's blog) when we saw floating by a
marker buoy. Now clearly this is a Dan Buoy or such that has fallen off a
passing yacht many moons ago but it was uncanny how close to half way between
Bermuda and Horta it is and more or less on the Rhumb Line route.
Wishing fair wind to those out here with us.
Onward to Horta
Farewell for tonight from The Snark
Ben and the Crew of The Snark
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