The Night of December 1-2, 2023

Under the Sparkling Stars of the Ocean

As in previous nights, one of our main tasks during night watches was to prepare for possible squalls and keep an eye on the radar.

To be able to react quickly in an emergency, we decided to take down the sail and run the motor throughout the night. None of us like this because running the motor is associated with significant noise. In such cases, we regularly switch the motor—either the right or the left one. This helps to protect the motors because running both simultaneously doesn’t bring significantly higher speed. Moreover, not all cabins are affected by the high noise level at the same time. Depending on which cabin is closer to the active motor, only one is disadvantaged. Fortunately, we have earplugs that help dampen the noise a bit. It’s amazing how exhaustion after a strenuous day of sailing still allows us to sleep in this noisy environment.

During my night watch, I enjoyed an especially clear starry sky. The moon was still waning but bright enough. With a smartphone app, I discovered various constellations. I spent several hours observing the stars.

For several days, Venus had been particularly noticeable, shining brightly in the sky. It appears prominently to the left behind us at 3 AM. Next to it, I could see the Big Dipper, also known as Ursa Major. This constellation has been familiar to me since childhood and always reminds me of stargazing with my father. Another bright star, Sirius, shone directly to my left. How fascinating and mysterious the night sky can be. There are 88 officially recognized constellations, each a group of stars in the sky. They often bear the name of an animal or mythological figure, whose imaginary outlines can be traced in the sky.

In this clear and quiet night on the open sea, I felt a bit closer to the universe. It amazes me how magnificent nature and the sky above us can be.

So, another night at sea passed, surrounded by the endless expanse of the ocean and the sparkling stars in the sky.

Adventurous Fishing in Seaweed Fields

The day began calmly, and each of us immersed in our activities. Anna disappeared into the magical world of Harry Potter books, while Nicolas listened to downloaded podcasts on the upper deck.

Suddenly, Nicolas broke the silence and called out, “Come up, you have to see this!” We all hurried to the upper deck. In front of us stretched large, almost continuous patches of seaweed. Nicolas—our experienced angler on board—knew this could be a promising fishing spot. The question was: Should we circle here and try our luck? It quickly became clear that we wanted to give it a shot.

Nicolas prepared the bait and fishing lines while we took down the sail and started the motor. I got to take the helm. Steering against the 4 to 5-meter-high Atlantic waves was no easy task. The boat rocked heavily, and water repeatedly splashed over the swim platform. It gave me an uneasy feeling. However, the boys enjoyed the adventure to the fullest. What a welcome change in our daily life at sea.

Our efforts were rewarded: we caught five small fish (species?), which we immediately released back into the water, and a magnificent Mahi Mahi. It was a great success. Flash, our cat, was ecstatic with joy once again.

Despite the successful fishing experience, we opted for a culinary change this evening: Spaghetti Bolognese, a dish everyone loves.

Sailing-wise, the day was similar to the previous one, with the Wingaker out and constant speeds of about 7 to 8 knots. The weather remained cloudy and humid. There was always the scent of possible squalls in the air, but we were spared.

Culinary Delights Day 13