Day 51 - At Sea

Thursday 23^rd July 2015 – At Sea – Day 51

Running through the early hours with the engine on and heading for another traffic separation zone off Botney Ground and around 02.00 passing the buoy BG1.

Here encountered a large fishing vessel when looking at her stern, she was lit up like a Christmas tree, while another small ship was lining up to cross the traffic zone here, so this helped to pass the time, keeping a close watch on their respective courses.

By 07.00 we were over the traffic zone and the wind began to pick up from the west, hoisted the main sail with two reefs and up went the number two headsail.  Engine off at 07.45 and we were again sailing but not necessarily in the right direction.

The noon BBC radio 4 long wave shipping forecast gave for this area, winds south to south west force 4 to 5 occasionally 6, ideal for us, but it never did and the wind stayed from the west, force 4 to 5.  Again the forecast was not as predicted but we were making our way towards the UK in lumpy seas.

The afternoon visibility was very good and we were seeing less of the oil/gas production platforms though fishing boats were now in the vicinity, as we were over the southern end of the Dogger Bank.

These trawlers were very interesting as they made their way from west to east, all vessels must to give way to these while they are fishing.  If at all possible it is best to pass across their bows or give a very wide arc around the stern.  This was my afternoon’s entertainment.

The reefs were taken out of the main at 20.00 as the wind began to ease.

     

We were treated to a magnificent sunset as the navigation lights were put on at 21.00 and the two reefs were put back in the main, just in case the wind picked up during the night.

The engine was also run for an hour to charge up the batteries, as we settled into our second night at sea.