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.
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