LACHLAN

“SHARK!”

Ewan pointed excitedly over Rose Emily’s transom into the half dusk. A sizeable shark — I would guess 2-3 metres — was tracking our rudder. I stabbed the action cam into the water. But it was too late: we watched the serpent-like creature slink off into the depths below us with no footage to mark its sighting.

The night shift of the 22nd was another type 2 fun ordeal (the type of fun you only enjoy on reflection). Our autohelm began to be temperamental just as I left Ewan for his first 1h 40 solo nightshift. What we hoped were just teething issues have persisted.

Jamie and Ewan battled with the weather to keep the boat pointing downwind for their stints. It becomes a very wet ordeal as waves break over the boat. It was as if our fourth crew member had shown up to work drunk, swerving in S shapes down, up and over the following swell.

It was a dark night, with cloud cover and a newish- moon. I would describe night shifts like these as being in a boxing ring with a blindfold on. You listen, hear a wave break, then time your next oar stroke shortly after. Much of the time you either catch a crab or miss water entirely. Ewan declared his night shifts on the 21st-22nd to be the most unpleasant rowing shifts he’s ever done.

The 22nd dawned into a clear day. Hot chocolate and a few loud blows from a whale 50 metres away turned morale onto a new page. The rowing conditions were fair (14 knots with gusts of 20 knots) with good heading and speed.

Water maker problems in the afternoon but luckily the burst pipe was easily located and fixed within 30 minutes. The next week or so will be a slog until the wind turns more to the east. Our bodies are now getting into the swing of routines at sea, though our minds are still battling with the mammoth journey ahead as we approach the 10% mark.

Quote of the day:

Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

— John O’Donohue