N 34° 46.912
E 139° 31.150

At 2330 we were out of Oshima Habu port.

The way out was extremely difficult because of the poor cardinal signs, no clear red and green markers. Additionally the white lights at the shore. Tobi was at the bow to check the distance to shore, I used also the track of the way in to get out. Finally I saw the yellow light marker of the outer breaker wall. I felt relieved.

When we were out we immediately hoisted the genoa and I set track mode at the auto pilot. Tobi and Shigeo are sleeping.

It’s my first watch tonight. MaRe is on course directly to the first AIS marker at the entrance of Tokyo Bay.

In front of us the clouds are illuminated by the light pollution of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki to mention only the three major cities. I never saw such a light pollution.

The coast line of the Izu peninsula is dotted with white lights. I remember when I sailed at night as crew of the 12 m race boat ‘sleeper’ along the Japanese Pacific coast how difficult it was to identify the lighthouses in the sea of lights to determine our positions.

Gosh, GPS navigation is so easy!

And MaRe runs! She feels that I want to see my OBM again. Between 6-8 KN STW. Waves of about 2 m from astern. Wonderful smooth sailing.

ETA Tokyo Bay currently 0415.