Race 8 - Day 8
Skipper Report
12 March

Welcome to a new week and hope you have an “inspired” Monday. The thought for the week for all our crew is, “Seize the moment, you only pass this way but once.” Shore crew, family, friends and supporters are encouraged to participate as well.

Sunday turned out to be a day of emotions with highs, lows and drama on the high seas. The highs were as the wind dropped, it appeared our tactic for staying in the Kuro Shio current flowing north east had paid off and although there was disappointment that Qingdao had over taken us, there was compensation in that we had moved into fourth as Sanya Serenity Coast and Visit Seattle, (Morning Ladies) had dropped behind us.

There was an air of activity around the boat as we caught up on some outstanding domestic work, making the most of flat boat in the light, if what some frustrating, airs. We had a team meeting, which oozed positivity, as we lapped up the warmth of the sun that had not been around for the last few days and is diminishing as we head north. Hatches open, the mixed odour of bodies not showered for a week, vomit, diesel, bilge water and general dampness was able to disperse and the boat dried out. Happy days, what could possibly go wrong?

Well, we then noticed on AIS that Qingdao to our north west, Liverpool 2018 and Sanya Serenity Coast to the east and south east start picking up speed, moving off and shortly obtaining speeds of 9-11 knots, leaving us crawling along at 3-4 knots. Before we knew it, there they were, gone, their AIS trace vanished, last seen some 14 miles away and, more demoralising, in front of us.

So, it appears that GREAT Britain did have an exclusive micro climate around us on this occasion, commonly known as a “wind hole” Yet more opportunity to use those inspiring Skipper phrases, such as “it is what it is team”, “lets concentrate on our race”, “you guys look in and pay attention to trim and course” presented themselves, great. Then the “Black Pearl” aka Garmin popped up on the AIS closing us down. So shortly before dusk the wind filled in and we were off and running again, to play catch up, we had a plan and in the words of a popular song “Things could only get better.” Events did not quite follow the script.

So, Jeremy Hilton and I did a hand over in the Nav Station, the TimeZero and Garmin Chart-plotter showed a couple of AIS targets of no concern, and we were on course boat speed picking up, everything was under control. I looked at my bunk, eyeing the new sleeping bag, knowing I should try and develop our relationship, but sort of nervous in moving forward at the same time. “Your watch then Mr Hilton, all quiet give me a shout in a couple of hours”, I said as I awkwardly slipped into my bunk to get reacquainted with my sleeping bag.

Within moments of just lying down, chatter broke out between the Nav and helming stations. Talk of drift nets, fishing boats, large numbers. Then of multiple “spawning” drift nets. Steady voices, exchanging information, calm but with an increase of focus and urgency. Then,“there appears to be a fishing boat heading directly at us.” I was out and into the Nav Station in an instant, the TimeZero displayed a scene that was reminiscent of Rorke's Drift. We were surrounded, with row upon row of green AIS targets and a flashing red one right next to us. **

There was shouting on the deck, “he's driving straight at us, he's going to ram us! Turn the engine on!” Mr Hilton sprang from the Nav, I grabbed my lifejacket and jacket and followed. I champagne corked out of the companion way, (slight exaggeration) into the cockpit, which appeared to be lit up like the 02 Arena hosting a rock band. Initially I was a bit confused at first as I thought I was in the cockpit of a Chinese fishing boat, but then realised that they were nearly along the side of us, less than two metres away. OMG I thought, Matt Pettit from the Race Office is going to kill me, he's only just repaired the branding on the starboard side.

Mr Hilton was on the quarter attempting to talk to the fisherman. We were assertively escorted out the area and after about 20 minutes set on our way. A strange experience all round for us!

Now your daily stats: We are currently doing between 11-13 knots on a close reach. We have completed 63.4% of our passage to Qingdao, in the last 12 hours we have had a run of 132nm** The screenshot from Time Zero shown in excess of 50 drift AIS beacons around us that had not been there minutes before. The drift nets appeared to run about 13-15 miles NW to SE and over 20 miles North to South. Wales are currently in second place in the 6 Nations Championship -thanks for the match report, Steve.

Oh, did you know, if you mouth the word “Colourful” at someone, they will think, you are saying “I love you.” Maybe wait till you get home before trying it out rather on the commute to work.

Standing by the channel – out.

Dave