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