Right on cue the weather steadily worsened during the night. By sunrise we were in a Beaufort 7 to 8, the winds a steady 30 to 35 knots and the sizeable swells coming from the NNW. The ship copes very well in these challenging conditions. A few braved it to the bridge and tried to capture the oftentimes spectacular fans of water rising above the bow of the ship, before being picked up by the winds and sent rushing over the bridge. There are a few seabirds about including several wandering albatrosses, who enviously cope so well in these conditions.
Breakfast is a challenge and the dining room seems almost empty, many simply choosing to hang low and see the storm out. There are a few coffee mugs which get jostled with the heavier swells and occasional crashes can be heard from the galley, a reminder of the difficulties being faced by the crew as they try and get meals prepared.
By mid-morning the conditions have improved markedly and this trend continues for the rest of the day. More faces appear and there are tales to tell our shipmates about how each coped with the storm. Recap and dinner see the lounge and dining room filled almost to capacity.
Throughout the day there are opportunities to hear more presentations from the staff and our Global Perspectives Guest Speaker. His story about the Deep Sea Challenge expedition to the bottom of the Marianas Trench is an extraordinary account of human endeavor in this most demanding journey to the deepest place in the oceans.
Today we have a special recap, where the Captain and the Hotel Manager tell us a little more about the ship, how much food has been consumed on this journey and to stay prepared in the face of stormy weather.
We’re ready, even if the respite is only brief, as this is what is to be expected at this time of the year in these regions of the planet.
