Location: 10° 24.5 N, 55° 54.1 W
Friday 12:00, 06.09.2006

The Schooner Maggie B is at 10° 24.5N, 55° 54.1W at noon June 9th. The wind has backed a bit to 080-090 and diminished to 15-18 knots. We are still close hauled on the port tack, making about 5.5 knots on a course of 135 degrees. We are about equidistant from Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana at 270 miles distance. Hazy bright sun and still somewhat sloppy seas. Crew is stronger, but not all at 100%.

We were concerned with adverse current as we approach the Guyana/Surinam coast, but last night we even had a somewhat favorable set, adding about 1/2 knot to our speed and 10 degrees favorable lee bow push. Currently (har, har) it is neutral. The wind has backed to favor us about 20 degrees since we left Barbados, and we hope it will continue as we make our easting, allowing us to get to our turn point for Natal before we hit the Inner Tropical Convergence Zone (Doldrums) — on the far side of which are the very unfavorable SE’erlies.

The sea is quite empty here with only occasional shearwaters and long tailed tropic birds. No sign of any boats of any size. the only radar echoes last night were small rain showers, some of whom came to visit.

All is well.