We left shortly after breakfast. A nice 4 – 5 Bft NE wind was blowing. As soon as anchor was up, we used the genoa and sailed towards the passage for going in and out of the lagoon. In time before the passage, genoa was furled to have maximal control over MaRe’s movements. Passage and a bit further to be clear of an underwater rock and we set the genoa again to sail a bit dead W to gain space for turning into the wind to get the main up. Being clearly W of the SE islands of the Naguargandup Cays, we turned into the wind. Main up, genoa out and jibsail set we sailed STW between 6 and almost 10 KN.

With only 2 tacks we made it to the western end of the Hollandes Cays. Sails down and then skipper’s headache startet. Where to anchor? 4 boats where already in the anchorage. And the anchor ground is not very wide and has steep drop-off.

We needed – for me for the first time ever – 3 drops of the hook until I was satisfied. First time it turned out we would be too close to another boat, and second time the anchor did not hold at about 14 m. The third time I went a bit further towards the sand bank and dropped the hook at 12m. 40 m chain test was positive, thus we gave additional 30 m of chain, and the anchor held during the test.

Anchor bridle attached and MaRe was safely hanging on her hook and moves gently in the wave rolling through the gap between the two islands of Arcuakatgana and Waisaladup.

The wind angle changed during the first few hours only + – 10 deg. This is expected to be the same until we leave. For safety reasons the range in which MaRe can turn around her anchor is limited in the anchor alarm.

Snorkeling to the western reef nearby was on the program. Turned out to be a pretty interesting reef with a step drop off to 10 – 15 (?) m.