Roatan towards Key West End of Day 3

These Blog entries are edited versions of the messages we sent back as we completed the passage.  They were sent by radio using a laptop that controls a modem and the HF/SSB radio, using the SailMail system.  We sent the messages daily to my daughter Charlotte and she then forwarded them on to a list of family members.

1235hrs (CST, GMT -6) 8 May 2020

Dear All,

Well, the headline is that we have stopped at Isla Mujeres.  The wind pretty much made the decision for us by backing so that for most of last night sailing hard on the wind we pointed directly at Isla Mujeres (and for a good few hours before that the best we could make was somewhat south of Cozumel – very bad!).  It was fast going, though, with a 2-knot boost from the Gulf Stream so we actually arrived here and anchored at 1235hrs.

Top: Approaching Isla Mujeres.  Bottom:  working our way up the inside passage to the harbour entrance was like being back in the Bahamas with the beautiful turquoise sea

But going back one step, moving north at 9-10knots made it very tempting to think that we would make up time and perhaps might be able to continue on to Key West.  However, at 0700hrs this morning we checked in with Chris Parker, the weatherman, and he continued to predict an unacceptable risk of our being thwacked by heavy squalls, thunder and lightning and gusts of up to 50 knots (from all directions!) if we pressed on.  So that sealed the deal; we were diverting to Isla Mujeres.

Entering the harbour after we had permission to anchor from the Port Captain

The only question was would we be allowed into the harbour at Isla Mujeres?  Fortunately, when we called up the Port Captain’s Office as we approached the entrance to the harbour, we were cleared to come in and drop anchor.  We would need to stay on BV until Monday morning when they could set up a proper reception for us to check-in with medical checks if we needed to do that.  Ideally, we’d just like to stay on BV at anchor and not check in at all.  Not sure that they’ll permit us to do that though.  Our main aim is to take the earliest weather window to move on but that’s not likely to arrive until Wed 13 or Thu 14 May…….  ‘Plenty of time to do some work on the blog then’, I hear you cry!

The views from BV at anchor at Isla Mujeres

Love to all,

Reg and Nicky 

Passage statistics:
Position at midday 8 May: N21 14 W86 45
Position at 1235hrs 8 May: N21 15 W86 45
Midday to midday distance: 171 nautical miles (average 7.1 knots)
Midnight to 1235hrs distance: 88 nautical miles (average 7.0knots)
Total miles covered: 343 nautical miles
Approximate distance to go (GPS route to Key West): ~350 nautical miles

End of Day 3 Roatan, Honduras Bay Islands, towards Key West, USA