Year 2 20 July 2025 – Arafura Sea – Indonesia

William & Nicola took over at 8.00pm and all was quiet and were sailing well and fast. Adam and I took over at 11.00am and the wind had begun to strengthen and increase from about 14-17 kts to early 20’s. We reefed the main down to two reefs and the genoa one reef. We were tanking along on quite a rolly sea and she did not feel pressed. The wind began to increase a little more so we prepared the Staysail and reefed the genoa a little more.

When William and Nicola took over we had the Staysail in reserve and as the sea built we had a few large waves hit us. Adam woke me at about and we put the Staysail out and had 4 reefs in the main and we were far more in control. Adam and I monitored the situation and we took over early. Stormbird rode the conditions well and we were under control but the sea state was 2m and the wind mostly early 20’s with the odd 28kt gust(force 7). We then saw what we thought was our first fishing boat on our starboard side on AIS. As we got closer it was not one boat but a boat and a whole load of net posts each of which has an AIS position beacon on it. They start to look like spiders with the blue lines in front of them indicating what distance they would travel in an hour. This one was heading for our waypoint line. We then saw another ahead and as we got closer we realised it was another net with several posts and this was directly in our path. We held our course for a while to see what was happening but it was clear we were going to have to move to avoid collision or becoming entangled in the nets. I had heard from other yachts that some of these nets were 9nm long and that they had had to sail round them.

I decided to sail between the two and over the next few hours we had to wait to see if that was the right as these nets and the boats towing them more around a bit.  It was right and we sailed between them and hoped they were not joined together!!. We got through and by passed the problem. The picture of the day is the view from the plotter showing the two large nets. We could see lights but could hardly make out any boat or structure.

This diversion pushed us North of our course and we then had to gradually sail more to wind to get back on the line again. We continued to sail on in the heavy conditions and handed again over to William and Nicola. After a few hours I was called again as there was another fishing vessel/net obstruction directly on our path. This time I headed up more to windward and this took some time. It looked like we were going too slowly so I let out some main and changed the Staysail for a reefed genoa and we increased our speed and headed ahead of the nets. They in turn I think saw us and started to head away from us which helped.

We then came back on to our course and continued. We were hungry so we had scrambled egg on toast which was quite a challenge in the rolly conditions. This was followed by a pot of coffee. A great start to the day. I had heard from the boats ahead that there are many fishing boats not on AIS and lots of bamboo floating platforms which are difficult to see until you are almost on them. There are also lots of FAD’s (Fish Aggravating Device) which are buoys anchored to the seabed and they are designed to attract fish. They act as artificial reefs, providing shelter and a focal point for certain fish like Tuna and dolphin fish. They are strategically placed to enhance recreational fishing opportunities.

We have these challenges to come and will need to be on the lookout. We came back on to our course and sailed well and fast and the conditions began to ease. One of the boats which had arrived sent a video of a sea krait (a form of sea snake) which had crept into their dinghy. They are venomous but not aggressive. Food for thought!.  Our daily run to 12.00noon was 178nm.

The afternoon wore on and we were sailing well the large waves rolled us somewhat and it was a little uncomfortable. We sailed on our course and now only have about 90 nm to our waypoint. We stayed on the Staysail and reefed main and the wind continued to blow a steady 18-24kts. This was not due to die down until after midnight. It was a sunny afternoon and we enjoyed lounging around if not on watch. We passed more fishing boats but these were not on our course and continued unimpeded. Adam got hit by a growler wave and got a soaking and he found a flying fish land on deck which he put back in the sea.

It was a nice sunset and the sky was pretty clear. We watched the sun disappear below the water and Nicola and I cooked sausages and mash with broccoli. We settled down to another night and I charged the batteries and made some water with the watermaker. Let’s hope we do not have more fishing issues tonight. I took down the Australian flag today which has been flying at the mast since our arrival in Sydney in January. It feels like one chapter is closing and another is beginning.     

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