Thursday 9th October 2008

POSITION: 03 54S, 154 08N

HEADING: 193T

SPEED: 7.7kts

SCOTT:

Hi Everyone,

Well today and last night have been the worst conditions so far, we had the first bit of green water over the deck and that is saying something for the mighty Speedbird to dig her nose in.  The seas have risen to 3 to 3.5 meters and the wind is constant at 20kts both sea and wind are on the port beam.  I tried to poach some eggs this morning and they came out scrambled and nicely arranged in all corners of the microwave.  It is a test of the reflexes opening the fridge door you need to be ready for the olives slash can of coke that is just waiting to jump out and hit you in the head.  The crew has been good and is coping well with the sleepless nights, I think after this leg I will be able to sleep tied by my ankles to the back of a roller coaster.  We are seeing alot of Jap fishing boats who are out here for the tuna we just need to be careful and make sure we don't hit their fishing gear, Jack has an instrument here which identifies the light signals and sequences so we can tell the direction they are heading and the type of fishing they are doing it has been helpful.  We are about 700 miles out of Pago Pago now which equates to about four more days.  Even though Pago is a commercial port and is known for its smell that wafts from the tuna processing plants we will be glad to have a rest from this weather.

Hope all is well, we are all missing out friends and loved ones.

Scott and the Boys.