Richard Hewson

Winds have increased to 15-20kts, with gusts earlier in the morning of 25 kts prompting us to pack the missen away. The swell is building from astern and Sudnay Island meanders along down wind at 7kts, Our days run for the past 24 hours was 160nm. Sailing too fast for fishing today, so we are keeping the rod below deck much to Max’s disappointment

This morning we saw some flying fish and yesterday we saw one sea bird. With the exception of the schools of fish we saw 28th October, we have not seen dolphins or any sea life since departing Gibraltar. We may see one sea bird, perhaps one per day at a maximum. We do see a lot of very large fishing boats at night, with their big lights burning brightly. These are not the type of fishing boats owend by poor African fishermen whos lively hood depends on their family fishing out of a small boat. The boats we see are over 500GT (size of a big tug boat), some over 3000G, with big nets, long lines and expensive One tends to think the big fishing boats are catching a bit more than is healthy for the sea.

I am a big fan of books written about the old days of sail, and also reading old diarys such as that of Charles Darwin. Even in my seagoing career, and out of five Atlantic crossing I have never seen such little indication of life. It is sad to think that an ocean that was once so full of life is now so empty.

The kids asked why governments do not do anything about polution of the environment and over fishing, they ask why it is allowed and the people dont go to jail?. Issy provided a solution “Perhaps if everybody is educated about over consumption and over fishing then the fish could breed and there would be more fish in the sea”… Max Adds “and more sharks because Sharks tell us if the ocean is healthy!”. Emilie and I agree with the kids and their hope and possible solution for the future. How do you explain the complexities greed and corruption to a child?

Its a sad truth, sailing the Atlantic in 2022 when we see more aeroplanes in the sky than dolphins in the ocean.

Forecast has winds increasing to 25kts tomorrow morning. The wind alreaday began gusting to 24kts this afternoon, so after lunch we dropped the 110% Genoa and put up the Yankee. Before dinner we put two reefs in the mainsail and then settled down for some pasta bake with added beans. Winds are now between 16 and 26 kts and the sea state has increased. We enjoyed dinner on deck with some big waves crashing past us as we slid down wind. The kids were very excited and impressed with our 7.5kt boat speed.

Check out our posiiton, course, speed and weather at:
http://cms.winlink.org:444/maps/positionreports.aspx?callsign=vk7hew