We just completed a 50 hour motor/sail from Isla Linton to Providencia, a Colombian island off the Nicaraguan coast. That meant we were out for two nights. Michael and I do three hour watches at night - three on and three off to hit the sack. Unlike the "watch clock" which chimes in time to four hour watches, we felt four was a bit too long. Even with three, that last hour can seem to drag on. You actually look forward to seeing big ships at night - as it gives you something to do - avoid hitting it. But most of the watches these past few nights simply entailed looking at the magnificent star filled sky; watching the phosphorescence in the water sparkle and keeping your eye on the horizon.
The sky was as clear as can be - from a wonderfully bright sunset to a star-filled night sky. You could watch Orion seem to do a cartwheel through the night sky as he moved east to west and finally went head first into the water on the western horizon. The "southern cross" was very bright on the southern horizon - pointing as it should - southward. The north star was very bright and very low on the horizon - it almost looked like a ships light. The "scorpion" was looking for its next victim and we worked at identifying other constellations and stars.
The sky and water seemed to melt together - it was hard at night to actually see a separation. The water was also filled with star-like brightness - as the phosphorescence that is kicked up by the waves and the boats' wake sparkled like little diamonds being thrown into the sea. It was fun to watch dolphins, that you could only see by their phosphorescent glow as the streaked through the water, then in the darkness, hear them take a breath of air.
Every so often - there would be that big ship on the horizon - or in one case - four ships at once. You'd have to decide which way they were headed and how close you'd get. The AIS system on board is a mighty helpful tool - one we didn't have until a few years ago. It actually identifies each ship by name, size, course, speed and even the nearest point you'll be with it. We had to do a few avoidance moves over the few days - but overall it was a quiet watch, once we were past the shipping channels into the Panama Canal and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.
The really good news about night watches - it's an excuse to have a snack at 0200. You grab a biscotti (thanks mom) and crunch away to stay awake.
We actually don't mind night watches - unlike many boaters. It seems that after three days your body adjusts. We haven't done a three-day one yet on this trip. This was only two days and the last night passage we made was in October from Colombia to Panama.
Now we're at anchor in a pretty little harbour. More on Providencia in the next entry.
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