L'Eau Commotion Westabout

Day 16 9pm Sunday 23rd June 2019
I have gradually reduced sail since the early hours of this morning when full main and jib in 14 knots just aft the beam was occasionally uncomfortable. Now in 28 knots the main is double reefed and just a tiny triangle of the staysail is showing to give a little balance which hopefully should handle the forecast 35 knots. The WindPilot auxiliary paddle is stored upright and the autopilot is handling the occasional lurch well. A few green flashes emanated from the Watt & Sea control box but the manual reassured me “ Fully Charged “ and “ Fully Charged on Float “ albeit with a little help from Old Sol. The radar enhancer pinged a tanker just at the same time as it became evident on the AIS screen which indicated converging courses at 20 miles out. This of course kept my attention for the next seventy minutes or so and though the moderate to rough seas could not definitely show he altered course he passed to Port by just under a mile, the fact my AIS constantly reminded me. I bade the time of day to the Officer of the Watch and on enquiry said he had a radar echo from 10 miles out which was very reassuring considering the size of the swell.