Arkouda - What else is out there?

The ARC Rally Support Team has been fantastic at sending us important information regarding weather, our position within the fleet, and hazards at sea via email to our "at sea" address. There has been reports of floating 45 gallon red barrels, and mini transat (the racers who sail the oceans alone) boats who had no ability to steer (who we eventually towed to the marina in Sao Vicente with our dingy), floating crates and platforms, and a string of buoys that are floating at sea. All of these things we have dutifully entered on our chart plotter, or at least the last known position. We then try to "dodge" them passing upwind, or up current.

There has also been reports of "ghost ships", or boats that are just floating out there. One report came in a few days ago, with the information that the crew had abandoned the sailboat, and were safely picked up my a motor vessel. So, is she floating? Does she have sails up, solar that might keep it charged up enough to light the mast head lights? There was another report yesterday of a motor yacht seen by one of the group. This boat, although we have no idea how big, seems to be just floating, no signs of life, no lights. A very large rubber ducky! A very hard rubber ducky that might do some real damage to our boat if we are unlucky enough to hit it!

I started this trip with most of my fears relating to submerged containers and whales. But at least a whale has the ability to move out of the way. Even with the moonlight I am not sure that I would be able to make out a dark boat in the way, at least not until its too late! I guess you have to depend on a little luck in life. It would be lucky not to be in area where there is a huge earthquake. It would be lucky to walk down the sidewalk and not be run down by the drunk driver. I guess there are just no guarantees in life--you assess the risk, make your best plan, and then enjoy life or live miserably worrying about things that might or might not happen!

There were also two reports of ARC boats with real issues that they are having to deal with. One sailboat has a pretty good size hole in her. The bilge pumps are keeping up, and they are continuing on. They also say that it amazing how much water a scared man and bucket can move! The other boat lost her mast, and relying on a jerry rig, and motors. (A "jerry rig" is something made up to replace a mast and hang a sail on. Its amazing how many little sayings relate back to sailor speak). The boat I was referring to is very close to finishing, but has limited fuel.

Arkouda has about 850 NM to go. It is reassuring to know that we have enough fuel to motor the entire way, even after running the water maker so we can take daily showers. I am estimating a arrival in 5 or 6 days. The wind is picking up, currently blowing about 28 knots. We had squalls this afternoon and early evening. It was amazing and awe inspiring to watch these form, but not so much fun when they made contact with us. We have 6 or 8 rolls in our genoa, which is the only sail we have up now. (This is called reefing, or making the sail smaller, which allows the boat to go slower) I keep thinking that we are going 6 knots, but probably closer to an average of 7.5. The seas are building in size, and it beautiful to watch them roll in, under, and away. The crests are starting to rise up and break, a little like waves he surfers ride. The sun hits this crest just before the white water, and it glows a magnificent teal blue. The early morning sun and the moon at night cast a metallic shadow on the water, turning it into a molten silver! It is beautiful, awe inspiring, humbling. I feel so privileged to allowed to watch.

Cynthia