March 19
Hi All,
3:30am Monday March 19: All is well!!
FINALLY……close to trawler weather…..can’t call it trawler weather as it is still going into headseas but wow….this is the best it has been in 2 days…..seas, maybe 2-4′, wind <10 kts on the beam….still motion on Mystic but much easier to walk around!!!
I’m doing some emails….look up…..crap…what is that blinking light…..well, it’s night, can’t judge distance but maybe a FAD…..fish aided device or a fish trap…..Japan has a lot of these as we experienced throughout SE Asia….ok, how far away….how do I know, it’s dark….ok, find the other end if it is a net….search and no other light….ok, keep watching….and as it is abeam but still far away I see the 2nd light….like a few miles away….maybe the end of the net or maybe another FAD…..oh, crap…we will miss them but it means they are out there….and no sleeping on watch….ugh:)))))
Well….it turns out all these lights are a combination of FAD’s, or nets but most are actually fishing boats…..I played tag for a good 1 hours with maybe 10 of them….all very nice, friendly and kept out of Mystic’s way….many came by for a look see and a shout!!!
6am: We have just called the Okinawa Coast Guard and have been given permission to proceed to Yonabaru marina…yea!!!
Stats:March 18 2200 UTC (7:00am March 19 local time):
Position: 26 01N 127 44E
Traveled: 183nm today; 702 total: 20nm to go; ETA 10am Okinawa time
Course: 50M COG
Wind: 4-8kts south
Waves: 2-4′ NE, fairly smooth ride
Speed: current speed is 7.2 kts SOG; has varied 7.2-9.0 kts today; avg is 7.6 kts today; 1300-1600 rpm (normal is 1600)
Weather: 50% cloud cover; sea temp 74 deg F; air temp 72 deg F, 77 deg F cabin temp; Kathy has LS and leggings on, I’m still in shorts and t-shirt but will change to long pants before we dock and greet all the officials!!
Boat sightings: ~10-15 cargo ships; 15-20 fishing boats
Fishing: Nope
Sail: down
Fuel burn: 1.3nmpg for Day 3, trip is also 1.3nmpg
Hope all is well!
John
Mystic Moon
GO MYSTIC GO
