We have handled this at 50 KT with around 7m seas, (occasionally 8-9m) so our confidence levels are good. I heaved the boat to for a few minutes to test how she behaved, and she was ‘OK’ sitting duck like as the rollers powered through beneath us

Position 59,09.5N   39,18.9W at approx 11.30 UTC 4th October

SHPSLOG about yesterday and today. Satelitte image is from yesterday

Wind is currently 15KT s.e, baro 986 rising slowly, sea 4m, moderate swell from west, a little current (would be called a sultana in nz) (eastbound) blue sky and birds everywhere. sea temp has doubled in 24 hours to  7.7c, air temp  6.7c rising.

We have had our angry north atlantic low blow through during the night, and after our scheduled departure from Greenland, into the western sector of that low, I am very pleased with the vessel and crew’s performance in tough conditions. I think the tactic of shakedown and settle in on the vessel, for a week or so, has paid dividends, in as much as no damage, no injury, although there ere a few spectacular spits over the side of expensive prepacked food; now fish and Fulmar bait. We have handled the initial blow very well indeed. I am impressed.  This sets us up for what may come which could be very much worse as this is; the North Atlantic in Autumn. In fact there is another low that will affect us in the next 24 hours, this will be through by tomorrow midnight, and most of its associated wind is westerly or northerly in our bit, anyway we take what we get here, its as simple as that. We have handled this at 50 KT with around 7m seas, (occasionally 8-9m) so our confidence levels are good. I heaved the boat to for a few minutes to test how she behaved, and she was ‘OK’ sitting duck like as the rollers powered through beneath us. During the evening, we were hit by one breaker, as always, theres a set bigger than the rest, and of course one broke over the boat, we were lifted and pushed sideways like a cork, but did not go over to any degree, which says volumes for our stability curve. The longer range predictions are good for our run to Ireland. We could have waited in Greenland, but as we only do 6 knots, and our ETA is in around 7 days, sooner or later we would have had to deal with rough weather, it has now been done while we are fresh, and well fed, and alert. Well done to NORTHABOUT, a tough old girl, and Crew, especially ‘Youngest’ Ben, who deserves a skippers ‘mention in dispatches’, at least, for ‘steadiness under pressure on watch’ and remaining on deck when required. He also went forward in big seas, to fix an issue to with the main halyard without question, was safe the whole time and sorted out the job smartly and professionally as I expected of this talented lad. well done Ben our youngest. Also well done to Andrew the Mate, Chef David, our Dad and tomato soup specialist, and Uncle Rob who is keeping us going with hot brews and Marmite (I wish it was Vegemite).

Mike