According to the weather forecast of the last days we should have gotten 25 KN winds already during the day. Directions NNE to N. NNE is not nice because for that direction there is no land protection.

Instead of winds we got plenty of rain. All day long.

Luckily I could do some boat work today and it also was possible to continue writing on a German narration, which is pending since very long.

Later the day, when it got dark, all the wind we wanted to have during some days of our long sail came at once. I’m pretty sure the monkey with the tin tool kept them for a long time and suddenly released them at once.

The related depression is still west of us and down at 30 deg S, moving eastward with about 5 KN. With moving towards E, the wind should turn towards NNW and to NW. With such winds we should be protected by the ridge of Mangareva Island.

So far I saw gusts of up to 29 KN. Almost a mid 7 Bft wind.

From now it’s almost a live report.

I heard the voice of Ralf at VHF CH 69 talking to Paul of SV Giebateau. The monohull between MaRe and SY Katinka drifted and this caused SY Katinka of Gaby & Ralf drifting back 20 m. But then Katinka’s anchor held again.

The monohull circles around under engine. It seems she has a problem with her anchor.

Someone had the good idea that the monohull should go to the pier for the night. A few sailors, from boats with crew on board, took their dinghies to help the monohull reaching the pier.

Fortunately the wind went down below 10 KN. Rain still continues.

Just talked to Ralf. SY Katinka is safe, at least for the night**. But he needs to dive and check his hull tomorrow. He said the chain of the monohull got under his hulls and had contact with them. The only thing, which can be done now is keeping fingers crossed that there is no damage.

As for the monohull I hope she is safe at the pier.

There is nothing, which can be done right now. I filled my cup with more tea and took some cookies.

Let’s hope the wind stays as low (5 – 7 KN) for the rest of the night and turn a bit more to E or W from the current S direction.

Right now it’s only 2005 here in the Gambiers. I’ll we be in bed tonight ready to jump out immediately of something happens.