Year 2- 31 July 2025 –Banda Islands- Ambon
It rained hard in the night and we had to close the hatches. The call to pray started about 5.00am again and I groaned. I tried to sleep but it was difficult and it was still raining. I therefore got up early and had some tea whilst the rain continued. I tidied up and then went to do my usual checks including the engine room. Unfortunately, under the engine I found coolant and quite a bit of it. There must be a leak which has only just come on. I cleared it away and refilled the coolant level. Adam and I had a good look round and started the engine and we spotted a drip by the oil cooler part. However, I am not sure the drip would cause that level of loss. We will have to monitor this closely and hopefully there will be someone who can help in Ambon. We had some breakfast and then headed ashore to do a little provisioning before we would head off for Ambon overnight.
The shops were open and there were lot of vegetables, chillies and unusual fruit for sale. We got some bread, bananas and fish and some spice souvenirs to take away. We did not need much as we had quite a bit of food still to be eaten. We headed back to Stormbird and it rained again so we waited for the shower to pass.
Once aboard we upped the dinghy and then asked those ashore to cast off our stern lines which we pulled ashore. We then went forward and upped our anchor and gradually headed out of the lagoon at just after 11.00am whilst we tidied up and put fenders away etc. Once out of the lagoon we headed on our course direct to the promontory below Ambon which is about 115nm away. There was some wind so we upped the sails and were soon sailing along on a beam/broad reach at about 6-7 kts initially. We passed a few FAD’s (Fishing Aggregating Device) and then settled on our course. It was lovely gentle sailing 5-6 kts and I thought if it keeps up like this it would be great. The aim was to get to Ambon the next morning so we can settle and sort some things out as unfortunately I have to return to the UK as another close family member is terminally ill.
We had lunch in the sun and the wind was holding up and giving us a good turn of speed to arrive at the waypoint at first light or thereabouts. There was a suggestion that the earthquake in Russia and the potential Tsunami may affect us. Originally they suggested we may experience a 1-2 m wave and they were now suggesting 0.5m so we really do not need to worry.
As the afternoon wore on the wind came and went so we sailed the best we could. It would increase for a period and then lighten. We watched the sun go down behind the clouds which was nice and it was a good temperature. I made supper of tuna, rice and broccoli. The tuna which we bought at the market was very good and fresh and we enjoyed it.
We were now on our 3 hour shift system and we were able to continue to sail. We had seen little traffic other than a ferry and two cargo ships which passed down our starboard side. We settled in for the night and put the instruments on red. We had seen thunderstorms or lightning in the distance which was luckily moving away from us. The moon was out shinning on the water and showing us the way.
The picture of the day is our view back at Gunnung Api as we depart Banda Naira and head out into the Band Sea.
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