06:19.27S  112:24.53E

Noon on the third day.  195 miles run and 150 miles to go to the anchorage.

Last night we motor-sailed through a large area of oil platforms (we counted 12 platforms), all well-lit but with a great deal of ship and barge traffic between the platforms.  In addition, and just to add to the fun, there was an extensive fishing fleet around and before the platform field. None of the local fishing vessels carry any recognised system of navigation lights so it guess work in trying to work out what they are doing and in which direction. Not helped by the squib boats which carry dozens of extremely bright lights.   At one stage we had 38 lights from various other vessels around us.

A frustrating passage so far with either too little wind and needing to motor or the wind directly on our stern making it very rolly.  Either way there has not been more than 12 knots of wind making progress slow.  We had a lovely spell this morning though with the full main and the Asymetric sail both flying and doing between 5 and 6 knots. But it did not last and we were forced to put the engine on again, otherwise we face another night at sea.  We have been in contact, via the HF radio net, with Chris on Tulu who is already in the anchorage and a night entry is not recommended.  The charts are only just adequate and good midday sunlight is required in order to see the reefs and shoals on the way in.  The sailor’s rule of thumb for the light needed when navigating through reefs is:  “Not before nine and never after three”.