Moderately calm winds and seas before the sun was upon us this morning. As Captain predicted, through his years of sea-going experience, the seas and winds picked up around 0730 from ahead with a dark line of deep clouds. It was an amazing sight to witness, two sea swells coming in opposite directions, about three metres tall, smoothly met and combined with each other. Tad of Washington, USA was on helm sporting his bright yellow foul weather gear and sou’wester, steering us into the dark clouds. The offgoing watch, oncoming watch and daymen all stood by awaiting the Captain’s orders for sail handling. It was a similar feeling to right before you’re about to play rugby or a soccer/football game, stepping onto the field, staring your opponent in the eye and looking at the goal line. This is what we’ve trained for, this is what we’re here to do. Picton Castle, sturdy as a church, rolled on through without a hitch.
Light rain continues causing many crew members to retire to their bunks, socialize together in the communal spaces in the lee, catch up on celestial homework or enjoy a good old-fashioned movie.
The engineer is finishing the handle for the stack house door, the final product came out wonderfully. Congrats to our engineer team for doing a fine job. Anders of Denmark, our ship’s head carpenter, is constructing a bracket in order to hold the kedge anchor in its upright position. Rather than have it lashed for sea stowage it will be easier to strap down and release when needed. A kedge anchor is the third anchor we have on deck, it has a much different design than the typical anchor one would draw for a cartoon sketch. The kedge anchor is an emergency anchor. Preparations for our arrival at Pitcairn Island have continued. Yesterday before a delicious fish dinner, the dancers rehearsed the electric slide for our Picton Castle Show Night. All 47 provision packages were put together, wrapped and labeled with each crew member’s name. It’s always important not to show up empty-handed.
From: Galapagos
Towards: Pitcairn
Date: July 17 2018
Noon Position: 24°37.5′ S x 126°43.2′ W
Course + Speed: W + 4 knots
Wind direction + Force: SSW + 3
Swell Height + Direction: 4m + SxW
Weather: Overcast, rain
Day’s Run: 84.7 nm
Passage Log: 2573 nm
Distance to Port: 186 nm
Voyage: 6063 nm
Sails Set: Square sails