Saturday 11 January 2014

Trinidad 2014


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.