We left Linton Bay on Friday 14 October with full sails and light winds, hence we motor sailed north for about 10 hours until we reached the SE Trade winds.
About 5 hours out we noticed we had a few passengers. Two Swallows and four LBJ’S, one of which was a fluffy juvenile.
We put out water, sesame seeds and fruit at various spots around the boat.
The swallows flew around a lot and huddled together on the guard rails.
LBJ’s on the Tramp
First night, the juvenile flew inside and perched on my laptop between Nicholas and I. Not a good sign.
Next morning, he could barely stand and I took him to water and he drank, but within the hour he died.
Realizing that the birds did not stand a good chance of making it to our destination- about a 4-5 day sail, we altered course so that we intersected with Old Providence Island, a Columbian island 130 miles off the coast of Nicaragua.
We arrived at midnight and anchored as close as safety allowed. Next morning, the swallows flew off and two of the LBJ’s. We had another death.
Once again setting sail, this time with one reef in the main as we had a boisterous SE wind. And again a few hours out, we had another two little passengers. This time we put out sugar water too.
Heading north, the waters became dangerous with numerous Piracy attacks during the past two years. All seemed to have taken place on the Honduras Bank which stretches seaward a hundred miles and is littering shoals and cays. Apparently the attacks are from fast skiffs or fishing boats and seems very much on a chance interaction. No deaths, but assault and theft, usually with the attackers armed with guns or knives and machetes.
We decided to not sail thru the Main channel on the Bank, and rather head off-shore around the entire bank. It was a stressful 2 days of vigilance day and night. Each time we had a boat on radar we switched our motors on and turned in a direction that took us nowhere near the other boat. And then watched to see if they altered course for us in any way.
Midday Tuesday, I was relieved to arrive at Isla Guanaja, the most eastern island of the Honduran Bay of Islands.
The little birds flew off, and we prepped to go ashore for Entry Clearance.
You guys sure put out the "birds welcome here" signs, don't you??? A little scary reading about your nervous passage - glad that's behind you. Hope to see you soon, in the next month or so depending on our paths!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same, Karen. The pigeon sent a word-of-beak message that Meshugga provides safe passage.
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