Comocean completed its transit of the Gulf Stream hitting the exit way point right on target. We generally sailed across without engine as conditions wind were nearly perfect for the course selected. The Gulf Steam was running three knots (fast) requiring us to adjust for the 60 mile path about 24 miles. Basically we sailed due south. Seth had established additional way points for us to enter an eddy that actually flows in an oval with both a north bound and south bound flow. This morning we entered the way points recommended and have slowly enjoyed an increasing push south which has now built up to three knots. WOW, we are moving. Today we have been jumping through a series of light squalls...sailing in them at 7 knots (plus the current) and motoring after they pass. Conditions have become lighter and lighter now that evening has arrived. Norm has conducted our evening VHF call and we picked up one of our buddy boats we have not talked to in two days. Welcome back Irish Rover.
We were just passed by a south bound freighter that we tracked on radar for about three hours. Our courses have been converging all afternoon. We called the Statum Behem on VHF. "Do you see us on radar or AIS." "No". Our response: "we will keep track of you and call if we are concerned". One hour later, still concerned, we now saw him about two miles from our boat. We called. His response..."I see you on radar, NO Problem". No kidding, at 456 feet and 40 feet wide, we are no problem...to him!"
We keep talking to our buddy boats and they describe their great fishing catches. As we are catching nothing, I even tried to negotiate a crew change. No deal. Just fifteen minutes later, we hear this enormous snap at the back of the boat and find our two hundred pound test line has been snapped. One big one got away. It was quite a blow to John Driscoll and Tony Green who had the helm positions.
I worked with Seth on remaining weather as we are now 200 miles out and moving fast. We will be near the Bahamas early Saturday morning. However, we will need to enter the far west, leaving us another 100 miles to get to Green Turtle Cay, inside the outer coral banks, that protect the Bahamas. With heavy winds expected we will likely go to West End, Grand Bahamas and spend a night waiting for the weather to settle down. This has changed twice each day, so stay tuned.