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Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Fort-de-France - Saint-Pierre

In the drizzling rain we hoisted the anchor. Few moments later, with wind gusting to 20kn we hoisted the main sail in first reef and were on our way.

The flat waters behind Martinique were a marvel to sail. It has been months since sailing has been as smooth. With the wind sometimes howling through a valley and laying still behind a mountain there was no boring moment.

Image

At Saint-Pierre there was no availability of mooring balls so we squeezed ourselves between the pier, shore and no-anchor zone set to protect the wrecks from the 1902 volcanic eruption.

We are now gently rocking in the swell enjoying the views of the town.



From the logbook

Time Position Course Speed Log Weather Remarks
17.02. 22:03 Z 14°35'58"N 61°4'9"W 280° 0kt 11041.8NM wind 10.5kt 56° baro 1014 hPa Port side sheet winch had frozen, opened the drum, cleaned, and greased
18.02. 13:34 Z 14°35'58"N 61°4'9"W 12° 0kt 11041.8NM wind 6.3kt 84° baro 1017 hPa Started main engine
18.02. 13:42 Z 14°35'58"N 61°4'13"W 248° 3.4kt 11041.8NM wind 12.7kt 98° baro 1017 hPa Anchor up, motoring
18.02. 13:53 Z 14°35'40"N 61°4'48"W 278° 5.8kt 11042.5NM wind 24.6kt 65° baro 1017 hPa Motor stopped, sailing with Main (1st reef)
18.02. 13:58 Z 14°35'41"N 61°5'13"W 274° 5.2kt 11042.9NM wind 16.2kt 60° baro 1017 hPa Started watermaker, 251ppm
18.02. 14:00 Z 14°35'42"N 61°5'24"W 274° 5.5kt 11043.1NM wind 19.4kt 74° baro 1017 hPa Hourly position log
18.02. 14:04 Z 14°35'50"N 61°5'42"W 310° 4.6kt 11043.4NM wind 12.2kt 51° sea state 2/10 clouds 8/8 visibility 4/10 baro 1017 hPa There was a dead chicken in the water
18.02. 14:15 Z 14°36'13"N 61°6'20"W 301° 4.2kt 11044.2NM wind 11.2kt 71° baro 1017 hPa Sails set: Main (1st reef), Genoa 1 (30% furled)
18.02. 15:00 Z 14°38'47"N 61°9'22"W 328° 4.5kt 11048.1NM wind 23.5kt 93° baro 1016 hPa Hourly position log
18.02. 15:40 Z 14°40'35"N 61°10'38"W 272° 0.4kt 11050.3NM wind 9.3kt 66° baro 1016 hPa Sails set: Main (1st reef). Wind is rotating
18.02. 15:49 Z 14°40'43"N 61°10'45"W 285° 1.7kt 11050.5NM wind 6.4kt 106° baro 1016 hPa Stopped watermaker, 240ppm. Jug full
18.02. 16:00 Z 14°41'17"N 61°10'56"W 355° 3.3kt 11051.1NM wind 13.3kt 122° baro 1016 hPa Hourly position log
18.02. 16:13 Z 14°41'32"N 61°11'0"W 304° 0.3kt 11051.4NM wind 2.9kt 5° baro 1016 hPa Sails down, motoring
18.02. 17:00 Z 14°44'22"N 61°10'40"W 3kt 11054.4NM wind 2kt 12° baro 1015 hPa Hourly position log
18.02. 17:11 Z 14°44'34"N 61°10'39"W 185° 0.7kt 11054.8NM wind 6.6kt 32° baro 1015 hPa Anchored
18.02. 17:16 Z 14°44'33"N 61°10'39"W 158° 0.3kt 11054.8NM wind 3.9kt 67° baro 1015 hPa Stopped main engine