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Persistent Lady - Wednesday, June 18th 2014



“Can you bring it more to starboard?”
“Yeah, Jake, I’ll get you over there, just be careful with the gaff. That sucker is huge! I am not sure you can bring it on board by yourself.”
“Yeah I can bring it on board if I can just get it hooked. Oh No! Lost it, quick circle back around while I still have a chance!!!”
“Ok, I will bring the boat starboard side to and I can block the wind that way. Let me know when I am close enough and I will go to neutral and just coast up to it.”
“OK. You are pretty close, just slow down and I am pretty sure I can land it. There! Got it, now just a quick pull and Viola!!”
“Man, that is huge; I never saw a fishing float that big before, must be four feet tall, probably washed overboard from a fishing boat in a storm. But what in the world will we do with it? It’s hard plastic, no give at all, can’t really use it as a fender and it is way too big to fit under the dinghy, like the other one. This one is just too big and hard for us to use. Maybe we can trade it to some fisherman for some fish, that thing has got to be expensive.”
“OK, let’s just put it on deck and see if we can trade for it.”

Exciting stuff, catching a big orange float that is just bobbing in the sea. The other one is pink and half the size. We did not salvage it from the sea, but the Spanish guys on the big catamaran did. We just borrowed it for our last night tied up to the fuel dock in Horta to help against the swell, and then forgot to return it when we left. So now we have two very large fender/floats on board and no real need for them. But not willing to throw them over either. Oh well!

We are only about 100 miles from the strait of Gibraltar and we are seeing all kinds of traffic. Sometimes there are five or more ships around you, then two, then none, then five again and it just keeps on like that. One huge ship, had cars on deck and looked like a car carrier, came up on our stern at 22 knots and was very close. The AIS said his closest point of approach (CPA) was 0.004 miles; in other words, he was about to run over us! We watched the AIS and his CPA widened a little, then a little more until he was set to pass us about a quarter mile off our port side, which he did, and then pulled back in front of us and continued his course. I am very happy that we bought an AIS transponder, not just a receiver. With the transponder we are continually broadcasting our position, boat name, course, etc. out to all other boats within range and then their AIS calculates a CPA and course changes are made as needed. It is a great thing to have!

Well just finished dinner, Sherrin made stir-fry and it was delicious! We had gin and tonics with dinner (Sherrin had the last of the red wine) and I am ready for a nap before my 10:00 to 3:00 watch starts. We have six ships around us right now; can only see three, but the AIS shows the others, so I will need to be alert for my watch; the nap is critical to the well being of the boat, so I better get to it. Will send more tomorrow.

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