Day 257 - Panama - Galapagos Passage - Day 4

Silk Sheets
Ben Shute & Fiona Kennelly
Tue 21 Apr 2009 04:54

Tuesday 7th April - As of midnight day-4 we were at position 3:50.72N 82:6.19W

 

Finally we caught a fish after yet another night hove too. We woke to see the island of Malpelo about 15 miles away. Straight away Dad and I decided that we must go there and check it out as we new the fishing would be amazing. Anyhow about a mile out we hooked up something big, infact I could not even hold onto the fishing reel, well hand line. We have 150 Pound line of now which effectively means we fish to eat, not for sport however this fish which I think was about a 8 foot shark snapped off the hook and bent the other straight. These were stainless steel hooks believe it or not. Anyhow after a few curses we soon realized we were being perused by the fisheries department who were very upset with us and demanded our fishing gear. Well considering they wanted the Tormenter they had no chance so I put the yacht into gear and off we went with the fisheries hanging onto SilkSheets from their dingy yelling at me. All I said we I have no idea what you are saying and just kept going.

 

After Dad and I reflected on the lost fishing opportunity and wished we could have been alone we were then called on the VHF by the Columbian Coast guard who asked us to stop and informed us we were going to be boarded. Well F*&%$ me I thought, the day was soon becoming a bad one. All I could think was, what if they turn the yacht upside down, what if they confiscate some gear. After several moments waiting I saw the biggest tender flying after us, this thing was jumping over waves and closing fast. After circling us twice with guns pointing they cam along side as I yelled at them and said don’t you mark my beautiful Silk Sheets.

 

5 Soldiers boarded, 2 lieutenants and 3 riflemen. Luckily I can speak a little Spanish and was very polite to all the men, after telling them how much I loved their country we all relaxed and got on with what they call a routine search.

 

After some paper work and Dad explaining to the lovely Lieutenant that I as the Captain of Silk Sheets out ranked him they started the search. I had to watch the searcher as the soldier went to look through the yacht. He was a pretty nice guy and after a little while he found a packet of playing cards, the thing about these playing cards was the pictures that they had on them, every one was different if you get my drift and it took the soldier a good 20 minutes to search the entire deck. After giving him a few beers and a couple for his mates back on the boat we became great friends. The search took a turn for the best and we left it at the playing cards.

 

Overall it was a fantastic experience, besides we had nowhere to go in a hurry there was no wind.

 

Day 257

Destination – Galapagos Passage Day 4

Traveling Direction – South West

Average Speed – ?

Total distance – ?

Travel Time – 24h

 

 

 

 

 

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