Category Archives: Ocean Passages

Posts about ocean passages with S.V. Sunny Spells. These can go on a bit, so have a glass of your favourite muscle relaxant close at hand…

En route, off Marsa Toronbi

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Ariel 1 left Sha’ab Marsa Alam at 08:30 UTC+2 (local time) this morning, and we followed two hours later. The wind was still around 12 to 15 knots from the north at that time and the sea quite lumpy. We hoisted the main with 3 reefs in and motored into it. Middle of the day it started dropping and from 2:30pm to about 4:30pm we were able to sail close-hauled while slowly closing the coast at Port Ghalib. Since then we have been motoring and now the wind is about 6 knots from the north. There is still a swell of about 1m, but it is regular and well spaced, so conditions are quite pleasant. We are motoring with full main up. Ariel 1 is about 10 miles north of us. Looks like it is going to be a pleasant night’s motoring and so far the wind is exactly as per the ECMWF forecast.

Position 25° 36.674′ N 34° 41.620′ E
COG 332T
SOG 5.6kt
Log 11,166 nm
Engine 382.9 h

Lat 25.611233: Lon 34.693667

ARRIVAL: Sha’ab Marsa Alam Reef

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Picked up a mooring and went for another snorkel. Ariel1 arrived an hour or so later. Nicely sheltered, at least as good as Samadei Reef. The snorkelling was nice and an easy swim from the mooring. Vertical bommie sides with nice overhangs and caves. Nothing spectacular fish wise was seen, but the coral in the upper 2 to 3m is healthy with a good diversity of hard and soft corals.

Position 25° 01.369′ N 34° 57.512′ E
COG 338T
SOG 3.1kt
Log 11,127 nm
Engine 375.1 h

Lat 25.022817: Lon 34.958533

DEPARTURE: Samadei Reef

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After a visit from what appeared to be a group of marine scientists the previous evening, we moved 5 miles north to Shab Marsa Alam. Winds were about 12 knots on the bow with a short, steep swell of about 1 to 1.5m. Not pleasant conditions for making miles.

Position 24° 59.098′ N 34° 59.825′ E
COG 317T
SOG 3.1kt
Log 11,120 nm
Engine 372.9 h

Lat 24.984967: Lon 34.997083