Year 2 20 July 2025 – Arafura Sea – Indonesia -Avoiding Potential Pirates
After supper we continued to sail well and fast and it would not be long before we got to the first waypoint we had been given. It was a lovely clear night and the star constellations were fantastic and I am sure we were seeing the Milky Way. The wind continued to be strong about 18-22 kts and there were gusts up to 26 on occasions. Despite the reduced sail plan Stormbird was storming along enjoying herself.
We got to the waypoint and bore away toward waypoint 2 which was about 289nm away. As soon as the angle changed it felt a lot smoother and to start with we could make this new waypoint on the course we were sailing. Over time the wind lessened as did the sea state. We changed down to Genoa only so we could make a better angle and on the whole this worked quite well but with the continued roll the sail would flog every now and then. Adam and I chatted and discussed options and we needed to be at the set of islands to be able to go round them in the light due to the bamboo platforms, Fad’s (I talked about them yesterday) and fishing vessels etc. We had plenty of time so we could arrive in the morning of the 24th. Our run to 12.00noon was 182nm – our best run so far this trip which was good. I put up the Indonesian Flag and the Yellow Customs flag, often called the Yellow Duster, which you have to fly until you have cleared customs. I also put in the new chart plotter card for the Indian Ocean.
One option Adam suggested was to have the main out and a small bit of the genoa to cover the gap between the main and the headsail foil (the end on which the sail is hoisted). I was not sure this would work but I was happy to try it. We pulled the mainsail out and I noticed a strip had come off the bottom on part of the sail. We therefore had to cut this bit off and repair the sail with heavy duty sail tape. This was annoying.
We tried this new method and it sort of worked but the headsail would flog and the wind sometimes got behind the main on a roll. I therefore went back to the full headsail which allowed us a better angle. We sailed on only doing about 6 kts but it was very pleasant. The sun was out, the sky was clear and the sea looked a lovely blue flowing along with little waves and white horses. It was time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
By about 4.30pm the wind was backing a bit pushing us a little away from our destination. We talked tactics and decided to sail as well as we could overnight and possibly gybe in the morning. We were called up on the VHF by a Maritime Patrol aircraft which asked us for our registration, last port of call and where we were going for our next port of call. I think they were an Australian Patrol vessel. They seemed satisfied with our answers.
I then noticed a boat on AIS which was stationary and about 5nm ahead on our course. I continued to watch it and it seemed to move slightly and then turned round and it was as if it was waiting for us. I looked up the vessel and it had a Saudi Arabian registration which seemed unusual. We monitored it closely and it just continued to wait and it was really 150nm off any land. Adam was concerned and we discussed the situation. We decided to turn our AIS off transmitting, took down the sails and motored North and away from this vessel. It continued to just sit there. It could have been a legitimate fishing boat but you would expect it to move more than it was. We motored on and round to get out the way and not take the risk as Indonesia has a reputation for piracy. Whilst we were doing this I made mashed sweet potatoes with broccoli and fish fillets with a white mustard and mixed herb sauce. It was all eaten!!
We motored round and back on our course. The wind had swung round more ENE and so that meant if we went back on to the old course that we would be pushed South more. I therefore suggested we sailed North as best we could overnight which would give us a better angle to sail toward the islands tomorrow. We therefore set the sails for the night.
The picture of the day is the happy crew (motley crew as I call them!!). We are in Indonesian Waters and I think it will feel very different after Australia.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com