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Jan 27, 2007: Six days away from Martinique

26°C / 79°F

Position:16° 21' N-51° 44' W

Wind: 18km/h

The electricity supply for computer, camera and external harddisk caused Martin some trouble while cutting a film on the navigation techniques of the "sun21".

On Saturday morning, the sea was almost completely calm again. The water was transparent blue, turquoise – ideal conditions for the noble visitors, who surprised us. There they were, up to 8 feet long, approaching slowly and elegantly from the dephts of the ocean. Their back shimmered in a fluorescent light blue, the scale robes were shining in discrete gold, two perpendicularly floating fins in bright yellow: In this solemn way, the Golden Mackerel entered  the scene. Not caring for human beings, they just passed by and gave this peculiar boat a casual yet dignifying eye. But sometimes, a sudden impulse let them jump high into the air, as a surprise for the stunned two-legged watchers. Thanks to this outburst of joy and magnificence, they carry a second name: Dolphin Mackerel. They mainly feed on flying fish. Apparently, the prey is easier to be caught by them than to be filmed by us.

Additionally, more pragmatic aspects influenced our working day. Martin was involved in cutting a film on the navigation techniques of our boat on his laptop: This became a truly Sisyphean task. For several hours, the electricity supply for computer, camera and external harddisk was impeccable. But then – whew — blackout! What happened? The thermostat turned the system off and protected the converter from being overheated. Just as the external harddisk is not driven by its own accumulator, the loss of material was inevitable. Once again, dear! Dinner: Swiss «Roesti».

Sea: calm
Wind: E 10 kn
Speed: 4-4,5 kn
Mileage: 93
Distance to La Martinique: 542 miles

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