En Route to the Galapagos –Equator Day 11 April 2024.

We had the red eye slot -2.00am-5.00am where it is always dark. We were motoring when we took over watch and by 3.00am we decided to try to sail/motor sail which worked initially but as there was just not enough wind we had to revert back to motor sailing. It was a quiet watch otherwise although we could see lots of birds in the navigation lights flying around us and we could see lots of boobies on the front.

We handed over to Mark and Joyce and we went to bed. The wind did pick up and we started sailing again. It was a lovely day, there were calm waters and the wind was light but enough to push us along to ensure we got to our waypoint in time to the North of San Cristobel. Keith and Angus took over and we went and looked at the bow (front) of the boat and frankly it was covered in bird shit. Those boobies must have been at it overnight and all night and it looked like a toilet. In addition, there were splats around the boat and it looked like they had been using Stormbird for target practise !! Angus and I got out the fire house, which we can attach to a connector at the mast and it is a high-pressure pump and we went round the boat and cleaned everything up. We were not keen for this to be repeated so Mark rigged up a fishing line system at the front which hopefully will prevent them from landing.

Charles and I took over at 12.00noon and we tweaked the sails and were sailing along quite nicely and it was lovely champagne type sailing. We were then going too fast and therefore unusually wanted to slow down so we changed the genoa to staysail. This worked for a while but then the wind reduced so we put up the genoa and staysail with main to keep up our speed.  It was lovely sailing and a beautiful day and the sea was sparkling in the sun. Charles and I remarked that there was little wildlife and I said it would be good to see some whales and we hoped as we got closer that we will. After a while I saw some splashing ahead and then we saw that there were 4 short fin pilot whales ahead and they then passed down our port side about 30 yards away. They looked big but beautiful and graceful creatures as we watched their air spouts disappear into the distance. We also later saw dolphins jumping high out of the water. It felt like we were getting closer to the Galapagos and its nature.

We had a bratwurst lunch with rolls to finish off the tins which were out of date so we do not have any out of date tins when we are inspected. They were very tasty after all and we have now finished all the oranges which we are also not allowed to take in.  

After lunch we were then focused on the equator which we were approaching which would take us from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern and it is quite an achievement to sail across the equator especially in your own boat. Those who have not sailed across it before are called Pollywogs and have to go through a ceremony to pay allegiance to and ask permission from Neptune to pass. Once you have passed through you are called a Shelback. Joyce has sailed across the equator twice and Mark and Keith have done it in motorboats so for the majority of us this was for the first time. We had to prepare. Neptune’s Trident was prepared from a boathook and old charts with its three prongs. Mark was going to dress up as Neptune and he prepared his outfit and Joyce was to be his mermaid assistant.

As the wind had died we were motoring toward it and put the latitude and longitude as a big screen on the plotter so we could do a countdown. We put the genoa out some half a mile from the equator and slowly sailed forward about 3-3.5kts. Neptune appeared with his trident and blue headpiece with dark trousers and no shirt. He demanded to know who we were and I explained the name of the boat and that as a crew we wished to ask for permission to cross the equator. After some posturing permission was agreed and we counted down the coordinates and then we were through. We all shook hands and celebrated to Latitude 00 00 000s Longitude 088 50 068w and we were rewarded with a beer (gin and tonic in Joyce’s case). It felt good and quite an achievement to have come this far from the UK and that we were entering the southern hemisphere to get to the Galapagos. I was thankful that we have got here safely. See our picture.

We carried on sailing in the very light wind and we then had supper with the table up and the lights on and it was very peaceful and rewarding. Mark had prepared Stormbird’s burgers with fresh homemade rolls with tomato and cucumber and cheese. They were delicious and a great end to the day. We look forward with excitement to arriving in the Galapagos tomorrow morning where we will have our inspection.    

Distance 24 hour run at 12.00noon 155nm.

Opportunity for any Readers/Sailors.

In late May 2024 we shall be in the Marquesas in French Polynesia, and we will then move through to the Tuamotu’s before getting to Tahiti about the end of July 2024. There may be some space on Stormbird during this period should any sailor/reader be interested in joining for this period or part of it in what must be one of the most distant and beautiful places in the world.

In addition, in year two I will be going up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and probably across the Indian Ocean to Cape Town and I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we head off to the Galapagos and beyond.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com  I can only upload one picture a day and visit our website www.stormbirdgoesglobal.co.uk