Yesterday at 0900 we sailed across the Equator! We hosted a formal visit from His Majesty King Neptune and His royal court. A momentous occasion for all on board, for the pollywogs are now grown into shellbacks like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. As well it was a healthy reminder that we are in fact sailing around the world! As like most things in life we get caught up in the day to day tasks and the end goal can, at times, become clouded when tasks like scrubbing the deck, hauling on lines and painting bulkheads become the main focus. Luckily we have constant occurrences that remind us of the big picture. Catching a blowfish yesterday off the stern, seeing dolphins swimming along ahead of our bow and gazing at the southern cross in the sky as we sail under the bright moon and stars.
Today the ship is busy busy with preparations for tomorrow’s arrival into the Galapagos, Wreck Bay specifically. The on-duty watches are cleaning and tidying the deck; living spaces are being straightened up and the topsides are getting a scrub. Our sailmaker is able to spread out the canvas of a royal sail on the quarterdeck to stitch the seams together. Dawson, the Captain’s five year old son, feverishly awaits cake as it is ship’s cook Donald’s birthday.
From Balboa, Panama
To: Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos
Date: June 19, 2018
Noon Position: 00°13.3′ S – 089°50.6’W
Course and Speed: ExS
Wind Direction and Force: 3-4 + SxE
Swell Height and Direction: 2m + Southerly
Weather: Overcast
Day’s Run: 76.5nm
Passage Log: 80nm
Distance to Port: 42.5nm
Voyage: 3321.6nm
Sails set: All sails
Picton Castle‘s navigation electronics show this is the Equator!