Entering the Solomon Sea
24 July 2012 | 0 N'N:E E'E, St George's Channel, PNG
David
Rough conditions - hard to type. Adam got an intiation on his first night out here sailign in PNG as we tacked up the St Georges Channel. Left Rabaul after a 3 hour wait at the customs house yesterday. Officier left key at home. Then while we waited for the other officer to turn up he remembered he had a stamp and documents in his bag. It is an old stamp he said. He showed us, stamped Adam's arm and we said it looked fine to us. Had to flee a terrible dust storm after that. Strong wind was dumping volcanic ash over us. Anchored on other side of harbour and washed everything down in saltwater leaving at sunset. Just exitig St George's channel now into the Solomon Sea. It seems like all the sea is trying to squeeze through the channel. Steep waves of up to 2 metres, current varying from 1 to 3.3 knots against us. Motor sailed all night with main in 3rd reef. Found pockets where there was no current or little current and tried to stick with them. Not dissimilar to some of the Izu Sailing so not new for the boat or skipper. But is ok for a 5 hour sail to Oshima different when we are cooking and sleeping in it. Adam is a great help. This would be exhausting stuff on my own. We were going to head down the coast of Bouganville - keeping at least 15 miles off as it is a region recovering from a civil war - on way to Gizo and Honiara. But if the coniditons are going to be like this the next 2 to 3 days will go north and around Bouganville. Will make decision later in the day as we get further away from this channel. Lots of thoughts on PNG and hopefully will have time to write them up when sea flattens. David