Day 20

A message from Fedor Konyukhov sent on the satellite phone Iridium:

“In the last few days, the weather in my location has changed drastically several times.  Several days in a row saw a Southerly wind which blew the boat toward the Chatham Islands.  At one moment I began to worry that if that Southerly wind continues for a few more days, I would be dangerously close to those islands.  When I was approximately within 100 miles of the Chathams, the wind reversed, but not before I spotted some coastal birds who likely use the islands as their base.

Now a fairly powerful storm has arrived, and besides the heavy downpour, the boat is also being blown South.  On one hand, the rain is positive – it will wash the salt residue off the solar batteries.  They have served me well so far; charging the batteries on board even in overcast weather.

Such a sudden change in the direction of the wind leaves chaotic waves behind.  The swell continues to come from the South, while wind waves come from the North.  As a result, the boat is in a sort of “box”.  Going by the forecast, such “swings” will continue until the end of the year.

Thank God I am alive and healthy, but I am plotting my course too slowly, while the season (Summer) in the Southern Ocean is short.

Greetings on the day of Saint Spyridon of Tremithus, and Merry Christmas to my European friends.

46.42 South and 176.30 East