Aboard Dignity (Lagoon 420) Blog

36°11.3’N 41°31.6’W
SOG (Speed over Ground): 6.7 knots (motor sailing)
Heading: 080
Distance from Bermuda: 1,170nm
Distance to Horta: 632nm
ETA (Horta): Sunday May 31
Distance to Horta: 632nm

On the current rotation I am now on standby and watch twice each night. Last night the two stints were two very separate experiences. The first watch was early enough to be not too cold. The stars were out, the sea was settled, the boat motoring on. The two hours can seem both very long and very short. Alone with the stars ones thoughts fly everywhere and nowhere. I’m glad I have music to listen to. The mood of each song is amplified in the solitude. Some songs make you want to sing (and you can cos noone will hear). Some songs can trigger profoundly emotional moments. A witnessed four meteors and some space objects shining in low orbit.

The second shift was quite different. Starting predawn it was colder and for me it was a two hour struggle to stay awake. There were clouds on the horizon so sunrise was obscured for an hour. It was a relief when the shift was over and I could rest.

This morning has provided fewer surprises than yesterday. We have seen a pod of dolphins which I finally had my camera ready for. Hopefully there will be some good pics.

Yesterday we made some plans for the Azores. John’s family arrive on 6th of June. Prior to the 6th we need to ready the boat and effect some repairs. Given the excellent time we have made from Bermuda we will have time for some R&R. We have decided to visit the vineyards on Pico and, if possible, get a guide to take us to the summit of Pico which is a 2,300m volcano.

When John’s family arrive we’ll need to be on our best behaviour. We have 3-4 days to get to Sao Miguel. We reckon on two overnight sails to maximize day time on the islands.

Later today we’ll pass the 1 week point since leaving Bermuda.

35°18.2’N 45°10.1’W
SOG (Speed over Ground): 7.4 knots
Heading: 070
Distance from Bermuda: 988nm
Distance to Horta: 818nm

The stars were out during night shift. At the beginning of my shift the moon was below the horizon so the skies were showing their splendor. Unfortunately, as a result of our running lights failing a few days ago, we are running with our steaming light on which lights up the head sail. This prevents getting my night vision going. But this was 100 times better than the overcast skies we’ve had till now.

The moon started over the horizon so the skies started fairly dark. Jupiter was up and I was astonished to see a faint trail of light from it’s reflection across the ocean. I missed the moon coming up over the horizon as I was on my back watching for meteors for a while. When I turned to look, there was the moon, sitting on the horizon looking very red. As my shift wore on, the moon turned from red to orange to white.

I did see a meteor and a fireball. The latter was perhaps the most impressive I have seen. A slow moving bright light suddenly picked up in size and brightness and ended up in a flash that lit the whole ocean for a millisecond. The whole event lasted perhaps a second or two.

On the downside the humidity picked up to super saturation last night. Sitting on watch we all got wet inside and out. Inside the boat everything is again covered in moisture. Sleep was mercifully quick despite the damp sheets (fresh on yesterday).

I’ve been up again since 4am ship time on standby. Feeling a bit crap and will probably take a nap again soon. The day is looking to be another sunny one. We are seeing the mildest conditions of the trip so far. Waves are down to 1-2 feet but the wind is still in the high teens. Am about to put the fishing line out.

… a little later …

Best day so far. The sun is out, the seas are flat, and we’re flying along with the genaker out. We’ve seen two turtles an a refridgeration ship. Doesn’t get any more exciting – but you’d have to be here to appreciate it.

33°28.5’N 51°36.9’W
SOG (Speed over Ground): 7.2 knots
Heading: 070
Distance from Bermuda: 662nm
Distance to Horta: 1,156nm

Just woken up. Nearing the end of our fourth day at sea. It feels like a lifetime. Right now we’re being overtaken by a cold front. It is raining. Speed is down. Behind the front we’re expecting a a further diminishing of wind speeds. As I write the rain is really picking up. While on watch last night it was dry. Looks like someone else got drenched. I’ll find out when I go up.

The only drama yesterday was that the data link for the satellite phone failed. We tried installing the software on my laptop and had similar results. John has a Mac and was running the software under Xp emulation which could have been causing problems. Seeing the same issue on my PC eliminated a lot of variables. Given that the data modem drew it’s power from the phone I conjectured that perhaps it was diminishing power that was the issue. We recharged the phone to full capacity and voila. It was amazing to watch everyones spirits lift when the mail came in and we all got to read our messages from home. Hopefully today’s communications will be on time.

That’s all for now.