Grenada 10 February 2024
This was the last day before we planned to leave for Panama. Joyce and Carolyn had been through what we had had on board and had created a list of what we needed. After breakfast of porridge, which I made, the three of us headed for the supermarket and shopped filling three large trolleys and then retuned and we packed everything away. Our hanging nets were filled again and shelves and lockers replenished.
David and Jonas had gone to the chandlery to get some more filters for the water system and sorted out some washing etc. Keith Watson (Ian’s brother) arrived about 12.00 noon with his family who we showed around Stormbird and they then left. Our crew therefore is up to 6 again – being Joyce, Carolyn, Jonas, David, Keith and me. We had a salad lunch and then started going through the boat and all the systems etc from front to back inside and out. We also then went through the safety procedures and kitted everyone with lifejackets and lifelines. This took some time but by 4.30pm we had finished.
One of the issues on this trip to Panama is the risk of piracy off Venezuela and we had been warned to stay at least 200 miles off including its Islands. Apparently they have fast boats and can get a long way offshore. Joyce and Carolyn had sailed with a Skipper previously who had been chased by a fisherman near Trinidad. We therefore developed a protocol where we would minimise this risk by keeping at least 200 nm off the Islands. We would turn our AIS so we could not be seen on plotters and I did this and luckily this does not mean that we cannot see other ships although it is unlikely that pirates would use AIS. We decided we would not use navigation lights at night and we would keep our own light in the boat down as much as possible. You need to be careful what you say on the radio and how much information you give away if contacted and if a full moon or that sort of light we may decide not to sail to minimise being seen. We agreed that if there was any suspicious activity (including by radio) that I would be woken. If attempts are made to board us then we may use ropes or nets to try and get into their propellers. Other things we could do is fire flares, fire extinguishers or shine torches in their eyes etc. It was not a pleasant thing to discuss but if they do get on board essentially we give them what they want -which is valuables, money etc. I therefore created our own protocol.
Keith and Jonas went for a swim and Joyce and Carolyn prepared a chicken casserole in the large pressure cooker. I looked at the weather and prepared to leave. I had decided to stay another night in the marina as that is easier and I had to go and check out with customs and immigration. To also make life easier we had supper at the Knife & Fork again and to get ready to go.
The blog will continue as we head off to Panama 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.