L'Eau Commotion Westabout

5:00pm Wednesday 23rd May 2018 ( UTC-4 )
I found myself working the sails during the night and in the clear night air and it was quite a pleasant experience. Well rugged up with jeans, long Johns,jumper,a one piece insulated workman’s overalls, a balaclava and to top it all off a padded yachting jacket it was quite cosy. Of course the hands got a bit chilly but soon returned to normal with the pre - prepared hot water bottle. At various stages the main had one or two reefs, the jib was out and the staysail in and vice versa and I did find myself making some Westing in the much reduced current close in shore of Staten Island. Then it dawned on me I was playing around on a treacherous lee shore for what? Common sense prevailed so the best option was taken so at 5am headed back to the current which the program showed at 1.5 knots and I reckon it was at least 2 on the rise of the Continental Shelf. Though trying to go West the light to moderate WSW breeze and the current only allowed me to go South. Again pleasant sailing with various combinations tried but with the expectation of a gradual veering to NW and North I have settled in for the night close hauled with a single reef in the main and staysail. I seem to be on the route of the Very Large Crude Carriers and they are BIG! The one I spoke to was 330m long by 60m beam by 30m draught so would displace over 500,000 tonnes at a rough guess so with all my equipment functioning it is good to know I can be seen at a distance and to see them myself so any avoiding action can be taken by me in good time. All very cosy here on L’Eau Commotion as I get ready a hearty meal of fried up slices of mutton leg, spuds turnips and kale.