49:08:1N 005:09:2W

 

Tuesday 7th June 2016

 

To Boldly Go into the Unknown!

In our case trying to find our way in thick fog. The radar is on and we are making good time. The visibility is down to 100 metres, the sun is shining and we have just left behind Ushant Traffic Separation Zone. Every ship for miles around makes for this so they can pass safely on the right going south and north. At one point about 0500 hrs twelve ships were making their way towards little old WD. So far, they are all showing the respect she deserves and are taking appropriate and timely avoiding action. Hopefully, by lunchtime this will have burnt off. I have been busy reminding myself how to set guard zones and transit lines to work out if a ship is coming towards us.

 

Ships Grave Yard

Looking at the chart for this area the sea bed is littered with wrecks, literally too many to count. Does anyone know why? Was this the site of a great battle or do ship owners come here to scuttle their ships? Most odd, but it would be great for diving if it were a little shallower.

 

Navigation

Returning from tropical ocean sailing, my heart gave a little skip of joy as I reached for the tidal steam atlas and Dover tide times. No more just pointing WD in the direction we want to go. Now we are being challenged with some real navigation. Our speed is already being checked and accelerated with the tide. We prepared Josh for a slow watch and explained crabbing up a course, while I may do twenty two miles on my watch, he would be lucky to do twelve. But the miles we cover in total is all that counts for getting to our destination – true team work.

 

Wildlife Sighting

Another Fin Whale sighting yesterday. This time a little further off at around 200 metres. Plenty of gannets and seals too.

 

Miles travelled in the last 24 hours: 119 miles

Distance to Cherbourg: 197 miles