Wind has dropped to 10 knots or less in the late afternoon. Put three reefs in main to stop slapping of battens in the roll, but full headsail still out. Sea now very flat and gliding along at 5 to 6 knots in the moonlight, helped by almost a knot of current. We will probably have to start motoring later, but for now it is perfect.

Position 14° 18.607′ N 55° 34.627′ E
COG 277T
SOG 5.7kt

Arbutus and Libert‚ proceeding in IRTC towards Djibouti. Nil suspicious incidents reported by any vessels and communicated with warships and multiple military aircraft. Bird O’Passage anchored at Socotra, Joana and Amenoz anchored at Djibouti. Acalephe about 50 miles SE of Sunny Spells but making up time. We aim to Rendezvous about 80 miles into IRTC.

Position 14° 18.607′ N 55° 34.627′ E
COG 277T
SOG 5.7kt

0725UTC+4.5 the log passed 9,000 miles. With another 827 miles to Djibouti it will probably be at 10,000 miles when we enter the Red Sea at Bab El Mandeb. We swapped the Navionics charts for ?Africa & Red Sea? yesterday, these will see us through to Cyprus, another 1,000 miles or so further.

Position 14° 02.668′ N 56° 52.403′ E
COG 287T
SOG 6.9kt

Wind ENE 10-15kt, Seas less than 1m from NE. Getting difficult to sail our course with the wind so far aft. Sails flogging in the quieter moments. Also had north setting current pushing us north all night. This is due to reverse this morning so we will hopefully be able to sail the direct course to Point B in the IRTC. Forecast for this week is slowly evolving into strong easterlies and 2.5m seas from late Thursday night as we sail the last 48 hours to Djibouti.

Position 14° 01.147′ N 56° 58.872′ E
COG 284T
SOG 6.5kt
Log 8,987 nm
Engine 147.1 h