Captain Barbara here. Some of the Voyage Crew said they wanted an ocean experience. Well they certainly got it in the early hours of this morning. The weather maps had shown us that a front associated with a deep low was going to pass over us and that we would experience a wind shift of at least 180 degrees. To this end we were ready. The main decks were out of bounds due to the seas washing across them and the wind was SE force 7 to force 9. At 0430 the heavens opened with the wind still SE gusting 45 knots. We decided to go onto autopilot and keep everyone inside. This proved a good move. All the permanent crew, bosuns' mates and cadets were on standby to come on deck and brace the yards when the wind shifted. Whilst the Mate was waking them the ship was hit by a violent squall. We heeled over heavily. Those getting up had to crawl to the chartroom, and some struggled to get out of their bunks. The seas were white and foaming. The wind was screaming. Luckily the crew were confined inside as the seas swept away one of the life-rafts, and two life-rings, plus other bits. Much to the Cook's dismay a sack of potatoes, half a bag of onions and a few mangoes were committed to Davy Jones locker. Alex the Bosun said it was our offering to appease the Ocean Gods!
The permanent crew managed to brace the yards round as the wind fell away to nothing. We set off on our new tack with the wind filling in from the NW. At breakfast we had a meeting with all the crew. No one was hurt and the crew were in great spirits. They all now have an ocean storm under their belts and tales to tell. We have 460 miles to go to Horta where we hope to arrive on 25th. At the moment we are enjoying a peaceful sail.
Captain Barbara