Noon position 7/10/16: 56 33.0411N 136 06.3685W
Noon to noon distance travelled: 125 nm
Total distance travelled: 2655 nm
Distance to Sitka: 35 nm (!)
We are sailing along in perfect conditions for our little ship. She is making 6 kts or more in exactly the direction we need to go. We are making great time and are very excited! Sitka here we come!
In addition to the perfect, fast sailing conditions making for a quick countdown of the miles, I had the added bonus of realizing our waypoint for Sitka was in the wrong spot. I don't know if I initially set it wrong, or if it got accidentally reset by curious little boys fascinated by the computer charting software, but by discovering the error, I saved us something like 8 or 10 miles on our distance to Sitka. What a happy surprise!
As we get closer to land, we are stepping up our watch standards and Lars and Odin are helping out by checking for targets on AIS every 10 minutes or so. It's fun to use the computer! (AIS stands for automated information system, commercial boats over 65' are required to transmit their location, speed and course, many other boats have a transponder and transmit the same information. It's got a long range and is great for 'seeing' other boats out there before we can visually see them.)
Tor looked out and just said "it's not distinct, but I think I see the blue of land!" I didn't see it, but his eyes may be better than mine, and it's entirely possible!
We are grateful for the short northern nights. There is a possibility we could get in to port tonight, but only if it is light enough to navigate safely. We shall see!
This just in! Lars lost his sixth tooth! He'd been trying to keep it in until we got to Alaska, and he sure got close!
No comments:
Post a Comment