3rd February 2014
Conditions have been very mixed over the last few days with either very strong or light headwinds, or even no wind at all. The wind conditions combined with the current, has meant that Elsi and Andrew have been drifting backwards a bit. Elsi has a shallow draft and she makes a lot of leeway; she also is not efficient at going to windward, so the mixture of strong and light head winds is the reason for Elsi and Andrew not making much headway. There have been several cruise ships seen over the last few days, notably the Queen Victoria, who followed Andrew through the Straights de los Estados on her way to Ushuaia and this evening the Chinese vessel Xue long which could be picked up on the AIS. She is on her way back from Antarctica. This evening a lone albatross cruised by Elsi only feet away emphasizing the sheer size of these amazing sea birds.
By Chris Roche Tue Feb 4th 2014 at 12:52 pm
Wow Andrew you are blessed with good weather not what you could expect in those quarters. An Albatross hanging off the stern is great we had them also a few feet away when I was in Soren Larsen our sea state was about a 6 cold and wet. I guess you did not see the JST Lord Nelson she went round on the 2nd and is trying to make it up to 50south but only making 1.6 kts when I last looked. She was 33 days out of the Chathams with very variable weather, not enough wind. Enjoy it while you can perhaps you will have a tot when you get round.
Chris