A Good Cloud Day

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Yesterday was a good cloud day. I knew it would be when I came up to watch and saw an almost full moon smack dab in the middle of the bridge windows surrounded by fluffy clouds.

We had a series of squalls blow throw all day that were great.  Minus the fact that it's fun to watch it rain after not seeing any for months - We needed a fresh water wash down sooooo badly!

Let's start with the moon, shall we?

Then the sun rose.  It wasn't a super fancy sunrise.  It was simple and golden.

By mid-morning the clouds were really blowing through....and bringing some rain with them.

By late afternoon we were looking at water spouts and a peach color sky.

Our peach colored sky quickly turned into a washed out horizon that was a sickly pale yellow.  The wind and rain just absolutely pelted the deck.

Like I said....it was a good cloud day.

Those Darn Pirates.

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Well Nautie Friends, it's that time.  The point in my trip where I get back up on my soap box and start ranting and raving about piracy (it has been known to happen).  I mean really, you knew this was coming, right?! Since we all know that 'Pirates are NOT cool' I won't spend too much time belaboring the point.  Instead, I'd just like to help you all understand why it's SO easy for Pirates to sneak up on Merchant Vessels.

This is what a Pirate Skiff looks like.  This particular skiff is only one mile away from the vessel and I'm zoomed in ALL the way.  One mile in sea going transportation is more than close.  You can barely see it right?

This is the same Skiff with no zoom!  Can you see it?!  It basically just looks like a white cap!

This Skiff is probably capable of doing twenty to thirty knots an hour - we're currently doing about eleven.  It could close the distance between us so quickly!

We currently have two lookouts posted at any given time not including myself (the Officer on watch).  Essentially, someone always needs to have a pair of binoculars in their hands and even then Skiffs sneak up on us.  

Mayuun Island

This is where  the Pirates like to hide.  As you enter the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden they hang out right here.  They just absolutely LOVE the Northern part of the Island of Mayuun.  You can pretty much gaurantee that when you turn the corner they'll be sitting there waiting for you. 

I swear they have travel booklets advertising the next best Piracy Location!

A little rough in the Gulf of Aden?  Monsoon Season getting you down?  Why not pack up camp and head for the Island of Mayuun!

Those darn Pirates. 

Atlantic Crossing

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The bright blue waters of the Azores are well behind us - the Atlantic has darkened substantially in color in the last day and a half.  This means one thing to my brain:  we're almost to the Strait of Gibraltar.  The horizon is hazier, there are more ships in the vicinity and most importantly the office has emailed asking us to increase speed.  Civilization is close.

 

A Whale Tale

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I was treated to a lovely sight a few days ago.  Standing a routine bridge watch I saw signs of a whale up ahead.  Of course I ran to get Big Bertha. Now, I must admit that Big Bertha is fairly well accessorized however; knowing that she was going to be taking a trip that required more work clothes than normal she opted to leave her chunkier jewels at home (meaning, I left her big lens behind and brought one for daily use).  I think Big Bertha is missing her chunky gems - especially when she sees a whale up ahead!

I waited patiently on the bridge wing for the whale to pass by.  This kind whale waited on the surface for me the entire time I was approaching and then, flipped up its tail in a friendly little wave.

And now for the rest of the story: when I say 'that I saw signs of a whale up ahead' what I mean is that I saw 'em blow.  I struggled with exactly how to write this out....so of course I turned to google and got me some learnin'.  If you'd like to read about Blowhole's try this from Wikipedia.  I'm not exactly sure that I knew that it was only air coming out....I think I thought there might have been some water involved.  Then I saw a link involving whales and rainbows.  Whales and rainbows?  Yes please!  Sadly, my web filter did not condone video feeds but, this sounds delightful and I think you should watch it and tell me about it:  Whale shoots rainbow out of blowhole.