First real sundowner

Today started off in an interesting way! Orion had made his first
appearance for about three weeks! In fact we saw a few stars fighting
their way through the perpetual cloud canopy, for the first night in
weeks! Mary had just taken over at midnight and was enjoying this
novelty, when she saw a new bright star appear on the horizon. But it
kept dissappearing! When she found it again with the bino's, she saw
it was a whole constellation rising! Not possible! Rushes to AIS,
which confirms ship at 11nm, but of more concern, it's course
indicates it to be heading straight for us! When it gets to 8nm, Mary
woke me to confirm the situation. AS it hits the 8nm line, the alarm
screams, and its cog of 158 will pass right over us, in our current
position! We were doing 6kn, compared to its 14.9, so it would
probably pass slightly astern. Why not check with him on vhf?
"Vessel CLIO, CLIO,CLIO, This is etc etc, are you aware of our
presence 6.9nm directly in front of you?" Silence. Five times I repeat
the message, with no response. Sixth time, message changed to "Vessel
Clio (x 5) IS anybody keeping watch on vessel Clio, Repeat is anybody
AWAKE on vessel CLIO?" At last, a sleepy reply, "station calling
Clio". Thank you Clio, Are you aware that you are heading directly for
a sailing vessel 6.5 nm ahead of you?. "I will look out for you". He
did in fact pass a couple of miles astern. Again , I say, dont cross
oceans without AIS!
The night was disturbed, the winds fickle,and battery power
low. Time to run engine for an hour to charge batteries.Genset takes
too long at night, but more on that later!Engine makes alarming
screeching noise.
Rest of morning spent dismantling engine compartment to trace
and remedy problem with stuffing box packing. Will do it more
thoroughly when not in middle of Atlantic!
Just when we thaught we had sorted out the wind shift
patterns, it proceeded to prove us wrong again, and we had a very
frustrating day trying to follow the rapidly dwindling breeze. We
managed another 138nm noon to noon day, but only 107dmg. As
at18.30hrs we are at pos 12.22.8S,08 26.7W, and 430nm from Ascension .
WE got so fed up with trying to read the wind shifts for gybing ,that
we reverted to our wing on wing poled out genoa downwind rig. Less
rolly than before, due to sea state,but at least each mile counts, and
then proceeded to have the first real sundowner/Happy hour, with
smoked salmon, pickled garlic, salami, sundried tomato relish.... and
a proper sunset! At least we are rolling in the right direction, and
Fred, who is still a champ, has a whole lot less work to do!