Antarctica Day 9, Plowing across the Drake

Drake Passage

We are continuing across the Drake Passage on a course of roughly 350 degrees, north. The winds calmed down his morning to 10-16 knots and the seas are about 5-8 meters. Occasionally you feel the ship pound into the seas.

I went up to the bridge and talked a little with the navigation officer. She is from Slovenia and was nice enough to show me the paper chart they are using for Antarctica and the passage across the Drake. I showed her the app I am using on the iPad and some of our tracks recorded. On the ship's electronic chart display their numerous red tracks almost look like a solid band. She also casually mentioned that the winds are expected to pick up this evening.

The attendance at meals is less but there is a group in the bar where there are large windows to see the horizon, but not so much drinking. It is overcast and visibility is just a few miles, grey sky, dark grey water, not very exciting. The dining room has been making up plates of cheese, crackers and fruit for passengers to take back for themselves and/or their roommates who don't feel up to snuff. Hanging every few feet on the railings in the hallways and the stairways are seasick bags, just in case.

The expedition staff are making a DVD with photos and videos from the staff and passengers. I snuck in a few photos.

There is a DVD library on board so we have been watching some movies. Rich is horizontal on the couch in our room watching and napping.

So glad someone else is responsible and that we don't have to be on watch!

Sent from SV Windarra iPad