Still at sea
38:38N
30:06W Saturday
6th June 2009 Good
morning, about 6/8 bottle nose dolphin came by and had a play in the bow
wake; they are much bigger than the Porpoise father south grey on the top
and white underbelly. Yes we are still out here battling our way to Horta,
this must be getting boring for you but I feel you should share the good and the
bad. After our fantastic spinnaker run of yesterday the wind deserted us once
again leaving us becalmed throughout the day, dashing our hopes of an early
arrival in Horta.I was on the midnight watch and we had only made two miles in
the three hours before, the sea was glassy calm and not a breath of wind, the
sails hanging limp and slating with every roll. Our fuel reserve was down to
less than half on the second tank with a range of 50/70 miles at 2500 r.p.m. Our
distance to run was 120nm. If I ran the engine over night on a calm sea we would
get the best speed but if by morning the wind hadn’t arrived we would
be left with no choice but to wait it out. I have one ace up my sleeve; a
30lt can of diesel squirreled away in the cockpit locker that only Guy and I
know about, this is for emergency use only. It
is now 11:00 utc and the wind came an hour or so ago on Guy watch, I
had written standing orders for the watches following me that if the wind came
on or aft the beam at more than 10 knts, the engine went off and sail was
hoisted. I l laid in my bunk listening to the regular beat of the engine just a
few feet away when the revs dropped and replaced by the sound of winches
turning. I leapt out of my bunk and crawled to the navigation station to check
instruments and position, the wind was aft the beam and Drew, Guy
and Mordicai were getting ready for a spinnaker hoist, the gamble may of
paid off. We are now sailing at a respectable 5/6 knts on a course of 106
degrees straight for Horta.I won't give you an e.t.a. it would be tempting
fate. We will get there when we arrive! I
have to make a position report now so I hope my next blog will be from
shore. Best
wishes from us all on Libertad. Paul |