Why HOV 2 ?
21 March 2008 | 2 miles off Rangiroa
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What an awesome night! The most beautiful sail wish you were here! The moon was full lighting up the ocean with clouds and stars in the sky. The Southern Cross to port and Orion's Belt above. It was a visual busy night. I saw an airplane to my surprise and lightening in a cloud. I have not seen electricity in a storm since the Rio Dulce! Out on the horizon I was also surprised to see 2 lights of a passing vessel.On awakening this morning at 8 a.m. we are approaching land. It looks like the Bahamas or Keys flat no mountains very different than Hiva Oa.The water is dark blue 2 miles out and I see a red and white tower a few houses, long white sand beaches this is the island atoll of Rangiroa. Our main sail is down and we are in HOV 2 awaiting slack tide. HOV 2 is when you back wind a very small jib sail and put your helm into the wind forming a type of sea anchor to keep yourself stationary. Why slack tide? We are following the instructions as the island is surrounded by reef and a moving tide may possibly move you into the rocks of the reef which are submerged. The ocean has a way of stealing . The past few days with the help of the wind and waves the mighty ocean owns my favorite pillow case, captured our cooler and received a wash rag. Gabriella does not care to fall victim to the sea.This area historically has swallowed many a ship. With modern day GPS backed up by paper charts risk is less so we wait.