The Pentland Firth is a strait, a sound, which separates mainland Scotland from the Orkney Islands. Violent tidal currents push through the Sound, depending on the tide, which can reach up to 12 knots. The current also causes dangerous turbulence at the water's surface, which can reach to standing and breaking waves all over the sound. The most feared is the "Merry Men of Mey" . Therefore, it is important to use tide calculations to determine the exact time to sail. We leave Wick at 3am to catch the right tide. Once inside the Pentland Firth, the journey is like being on a conveyor belt. Good preparation pays off. We easily reach the entrance to Scapa Flow and a few hours later the port of Stromness.

We are now already 33 days underway. Unfortunately Peter and Bernhard have to leave us here. Instead, new crew members have made their way to the ship.