Enjoying the good weather and smooth sailing towards Tristan da Cunha
A day of smooth good sailing under fair weather. The wind today it had its ups and downs, some squalls passed by with associated wind shifts and changing directions. But for the rest the ship sails 108nm today, pretty steadily first eastbound, then on a northeast course.
Again all her squares are set, in the jib boom all headrig is up too. Desmond and Spanker complete the configuration. Better make the best of the fair winds blowing now, as the forecast indicate increasing northeasterlies, right in the direction we are heading to make it to Tristan da Cunha.
But what course is that? About 40 degrees on the computer.
But the magnetic compass at the helm and the one in the wheelhouse computer show a difference of 21 degrees. That is how much is the variation in this area. Electronic devices on the digital screen show us the true north unaffected by perturbations of the Earth's magnetic field, as opposed to magnetic North on the anagogic compass mounted in front of the wheel.
Under the breeze, spells of sunny weather amongst overcast skies, it feels warm both on deck and inside the ship. The better weather, with the water temperature over the 16 degrees, and the air just a degree lower, together with the much calmer seas, all made for many to come outside and enjoy more time on deck. Some join in maintenance tasks, the sail handling sees more hands on the lines than other days, crew mend sails and check the rig. Captain and Mate keep a good eye on the changing forecasts, wind directions and how to squeeze speed out of it in a proper direction to the island.
She is guided and cared for by her skipper and crew who love and serve her, feel pride in her presence, and struggle with her imperfections. They possess her only temporarily for she is a creature of the sea and sky. Sailors, for all their love of the sea, are creatures of the land. Only together, caring for each other and testing each other, are sailor and boat set free to wander the oceans and visit distant shores.
- Garry Prater, Jan. 2003
And working on it all together indeed we try to reach distant destinations. Now it is Tristan da Cunha, considered the remotest inhabited island in the world lays 2088 miles from Rio de Janeiro, 1500 from Cape Town and 1243 from the closest island, St. Helena, and just about 380 nm from our current position.