Day 420 – 18th July 1987

Noon Summary Log

Day: 420
Date: 18th July 1987
Latitude: 34° 45.9′ S
Longitude: 0° 4.3′ W
Water Temperature: 14.8°C
Wind @ Noon: 30-45 SW
Max Wind /24 hours: 40-50 SW
Min Wind /24 hours: 30 SW
Cloud Cover 7/8
Cabin Temperature: 12.5°C
Outside Temperature: 9°C
Barometer: 1007

Source: CUL00045/11

Log

  • A winters night continues, squall after squall after squall with rain & hail.
  • Though one could see the sun at noon through the cloud & ok at times during the day, I am not attempting to gain sights with the sextant as I have 1000 miles of sea.
  • Today I break Perie Banou’s record of 419 days 22 hours 10 minutes (420 days) alone & without stopping at sea. Crossed 0 degree meridian from W to E today.

Source: CUL00058/1

What is the Aghulas Bank?

The Aghulas Bank, from Portuguese for Cape Agulhas, Cabo das Agulhas, “Cape of Needles”) is a broad, shallow part of the southern African continental shelf which extends up to 250km (160mi) south of Cape Agulhas before falling steeply to the abyssal plain. It is the ocean region where the warm Indian Ocean and the cold Atlantic Ocean meet. This convergence leads to treacherous sailing conditions, accounting for numerous wrecked ships in the area over the years. However the meeting of the oceans here also fuels the nutrient cycle for marine life, making it one of the best fishing grounds in South Africa. (Source Wikipedia)

Day 418 – 16th July 1987

Noon Summary Log

Day: 418
Date: 16th July 1987
Latitude: 35° 53.4′ S
Longitude: 2° 45.8′ W
Water Temperature: -°C
Wind @ Noon: 30-40 S
Max Wind /24 hours: 45-60 SSW
Min Wind /24 hours: 25-30 NW
Cloud Cover 8/8
Cabin Temperature: 17°C
Barometer: 1006

Source: CUL00045/11

Log

  • Rather windy, suspect more reefs on mainsail might be needed soon.
  • Terrible line squall hit yacht capsizing it for a few moments with very heavy rain.
  • Gale increasing intensity. Very rough indeed. Gale severe sea conditions reaching dangerous

Source: CUL00058/1