Y25:D7 Wed :: BB-8

Shipping forecast

The general synopsis at midnight

Low German Bight 1013 moving steadily northeast losing its identity by midnight tonight. High Azores 1031 slow-moving with little change

Issued at: 04:05 (UTC) on Wed 2 Jul 2025.

For the period 06:00 (UTC) on Wed 2 Jul 2025 to 06:00 (UTC) on Thu 3 Jul 2025.

Plymouth

Wind
Northwest, veering north, 4 to 6.

Sea state
Moderate occasionally slight.

Weather
Fair.

Visibility
Good.

Met Office

Okay, so what does it mean? Firstly, from 07:00 BST, the wind is coming from the northwest. Then it is going to veer (move clockwise) from the north. And during the period 06:00 to 06:00 it will blow between force 4 (10.5-18.0 KTS) and force 6 (24-31 KTS) IE moderate to strong breeze.

The state of the surface of the sea is moderate to slight and this is good. Rough is not good! The weather is fair, and the visibility is good. All good!

In fact, it couldn’t be much better: the wind is fresh and there is no fetch because of the northerly direction of the wind. We will be able to sail west on one long starboard tack at a very respectable 7-8 KTS.

After breakfast, we practiced the skill to stop at a buoy whilst only under sail. A couple of attempts were needed in the fresh breeze to master this. Then off to sea.

Sightings at sea

Sailing on a long passage out at sea can become monotonous unless there is something to do such as helming, navigation, sail trimming or cooking. Sleeping is not an option. So we observe stuff and tell yarns. Clouds can become a focus as, besides dictating the weather, they can be interesting to watch. For example, what does this cloud look like?

Passing vessels are interesting particularly if they are large or old. HETAIROS was the largest carbon fibre composite sailing yacht built at the time.

JOHANNA LUCRETIA is an oak wooden two masted topsail schooner.

JOHANNA LUCRETIA link to Wikipedia

And is that BB-8 painted yellow? With all this stuff going on, we eventually arrive at the river entrance.

In the UK, yellow buoys primarily mark special-purpose areas or activities, and are not part of the standard channel marking system.

Editor

The shipping forecast came alive. We sailed from Plymouth to Falmouth in one long tack in perfect conditions. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy one of those iconic meals cooked to perfection – kedgeree.

Zzzz