Having
survived the New Year the weather was proving a challenge. This time
of year the Caribbean gets, what is called locally, the “Christmas
Winds”. These are stronger winds than normal predominantly from the
north east. I had hoped to leave Trinidad early in the new year.
Either I was getting soft or more risk averse. I was not prepared to
beat into a strong north east wind with 2 to 3 metre seas, which I
ended up doing anyway. My Trinidad visa was due to expire on January
15.
I
did a Taste of Trinidad Tour with Jesse James and 10 other cruisers.
Jesse told us about Trinidad and Tobago. Angastura Bitters is
produced only in Trinidad. All sugar is imported from Guyana to
produce Rum, as no sugur is grown in Trinidad. Apparently, Trinidad
produces the best Cocoa in the world, or so says Jesse. This tour was
eating on the road literarally – Jesse would pull up to a road side
stall offering something like Roti, then back in the van we would eat
it while he drove and told us what it was we were eating. This was an
entertaining trip around the island tasting the different local
foods. The foods that we tasted tended to be Indian or Creole in
origin. At the end of the day I was uncomfortable full. I would
recommend this tour to any cruisers visiting Trinidad.
The
waters of the Gulf of Paria are very nutrient rich from the
outpouring of the South American rivers, the Rio Orinoco being the
main river. The barnacles tend to grow at a phenomenal rate. Cleaning
the barnacles off the hull in the putrid waters of Chaguaramas was a
challenge. Visibility was very poor. The propeller was absolutely
encrusted with the tenacious blighters. Trying to avoid being
lacerated by barnacles was a loosing battle. I gave up after having
evicted many barnacles from the hull and prop. Afterwards I showered
in the Power Boats boat yard to wash off the filth and my blood.
I
cleared out of Chaguaramas on January 10. I said my good byes to
friends at Coral Cove. Early the following morning I headed for
Mono's Island, about 3 miles from Chaguramas. The water compared to
that of Chaguaramas was surprisingly clear. The weather forecast for
the passage to Grenada did not improve, in fact it got worse. After
deflating and stowing the dingy, securing everything below I headed
out through the Boca at around 1030 hours. I knew Sadiqi would be
pushed westwards by the 2 to 3 knot current. I tacked to the east to
compensate for the current. Once in the current Sadiqi was heading 50
degrees magnetic, the course over the ground COG was due north
magnetic. As long as I had double digit COG then I was happy.
The
huge T&T Ferry rushed passed at 33 knots on it way from Tobago to
Trinidad. This was an Australian made Incat car and people ferry.
As
forecast the winds picked up to 20 knots in the evening. The seas to
2 metres were choppy, every now and again Sadiqi would come across a
set of waves that would stop her dead. The COG on these occasions was
due west. I tacked eastwards again heading into the current making 1,
sometimes 2, knots SOG head way. The speed through the water was
around 4 to 5 knots. I wanted a better angle to the wind to punch
into the waves. Tacking northwards again the speed over the ground
SOG was up to 6 knots. After midnight the winds reached 30 knots with
gusts to 35 knots. The skipper and Sadiqi's decks were thoroughly
washed with salt water. I helmed most of the night as Smithy the
Windvane struggled a little with the current in the boisterous seas.
I was keeping a good lookout for ships, fishing boats and oil rigs.
The
AIS Watchmate worked like a charm. Ships were able to see Sadiqi and
avoid her instead of me taking evasive action.
