Day 139 - Caribbean Passage - Day 13
Midnight we had made it
as far as 17:33.76N 33:33.38W – Monday 8th of December, 2008. Engine Time – 1.2
Hours Once again a day filled
with sunshine and light winds, it does not worry either of us to much at the
moment as we can go down into the cabin and make lunch, create something in the
galley or just lie down while we slowly rise and fall with the swell. I have
been setting the kite and letting it fly all day with out a second though, the
good thing about the kite also is you are able to sail a lot further down wind
almost on a dead run. Fiona spotted a big ship
in the distance in the early afternoon which cheered her up. She was beginning
to think that we were the only boat out on these waters and if anything were to
happen we might be stranded for day’s. Well for me it was the opposite,
the last thing I wanted to see was another anything, the moment I saw her I set
the timer on and waited until she crossed our imaginary path. I was glad to see
that it took about 30 minute’s. In addition to this the ship had seen us
and altered their course to let us by. I called it up on VHF, which will work
out here with anything in range which is only about 20 odd mile’s and
asked for a weather report. I said big ship, big ship, this is the little
sailing yacht off you starboard bow do you copy over? The guy came back almost
immediately and said hi, I asked him for a weather report and we had a small chat
and off we went on our way’s. It was a Greek Vessel on it’s way to Lets hope it is the last
vessel we come across, besides there is plenty of ocean out here for every one
so why come on the bit I am sailing in???? If you are wondering why
I timed the big bad boy of the sea it is because the two of us or even one of
us can not always be on deck and it is nice to know how long you have until you
need to stick your head up above the parra pit. Special
comments by Fiona: I was so excited to have spotted
this huge ocean tanker. More excited once we were able to speak over the
radio. I guess it was reassuring to know that if any-thing were to happen
to our boat then there are big ships out here to come to our rescue! Day 139 Traveling Direction
– West Wind Direction –
South East East – moderate Swell – Moderate Average Speed
– 4.5 Top Speed – 7.7
Knots Through the water Distance Covered –
108.0 Nautical Miles |