07.09.2015: Course Cape Verde

On the way

Pos. 06.09. - 1200 UTC: 21°23,8' N  19° 29,4' W

The routing charts forecast constant winds from eastern of 4 on the Beaufort scale for this part of the journey. The CRIB-Data which was sent to us shows exactly the same picture. It seems as if the tropical storm Fred, that formed itself on the Cape Verde Islands, has strongly stirred up the wind system. The first two days met up with these expectations and then the wind died down.

Today, at last, a strong wind is blowing again from the north-north-east - and we hope it will stay this way. In the past few nights, single flying fish have flown on deck time and time again. They are about the size of a herring and flee from their predators by flying out of the water - they spread their fins like wings and glide for a few meters.

Flying Fish

They mistakenly think that "Dagmar Aaen" is also a predator and attempt to escape the supposed natural enemy by flying over her. Flying over does not always work, however, and so the cutter and her crew become the natural enemy. Last night so many swarms flew over deck that the crew on watch was forced to seek safety below deck in order to protect themselves from being constantly hit on the head.

The fish that landed on deck and were big enough were swiftly gathered up and landed in the frying pan for lunch. They not only look like herring but they taste like them too...