I had my first night watch last night, midnight to 3am. I have not felt scared or nervous so far on this trip, I completely trust Captain Joe, but the first half hour of the watch I was terrified. Couldn't see a thing especially forward if the boat just hurtling ahead in the dark. Once my eyes got used the darkness and I draped my sweater over the Garmin plotter I could see more easily forward and was able to settle in to an easy watch. I just lifted the sweater every ten minutes or so for quick peak besides, it was the other instruments I had use more than the Garmin and they all had night lights.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Day 2
Into the routine now. Weather has been great, went through a small squall but it lasted about ten minutes or so. This is pretty a straight track from BVI to Bermuda so keeping the boat to a heading of about 13 degrees. The wind has been fairly steady coming in from the north- northeast. Close reach sailing by adjusting the sails so the wind is hitting the boat at around 60-75 degrees. Seas are but rough but should die down in about 24 to 48 hours. Hopefully when that happens the wind doesn't also.
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What do you mean Pat, terrified in the pitch dark in a small vessel on gigantic water, alone on duty and responsible for other peoples' well being??? I'm joking of course, just the small vessel/gigantic water part alone is enough to keep me off a boat in broad daylight let alone at night, so good for you for figuring out how to get through it. Hope your solution and confidence carries over into the next watch.
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