51º 32’5 N 128º 27.4 W
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Time: 2000 local
Position: 51º 32’5 N 128º 27.4 W
Blog from Regina! Surprises in the Head, Phantom Porpoises and Baby Sharks
It’s not often you find a pleasant surprise in a marine head. Last night I giggled as I realized bioluminescent dots were circling the flushing toilet bowl!
After I joined the cockpit during night watch, I found our crew appreciating FALKEN’s bioluminescent and moonlit wake. Andy soon alerted us to a surreal sight — an electric porpoise (a.k.a. phantom porpoise, a.k.a. glitter dolphin). As our fast-swimming friend surfed FALKEN’s hull, we could see its every feature outlined in glittering blue.
We spotted sharks during the day. We shared this with Manot this morning, and he unfortunately for him asked us what type of shark. He was predictably met with a chorus of “baaabyyy shark … doo doo doo doo …..” The crew spirit is consistently top notch.
Nikki and Manot gave us sailing instruction, and an evening orca sighting under sail was the cherry on top.
P.s. shout out to FALKEN Bunk 2 alumni!
-Regina | 59º North Crew
FALKENCrew
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People Get Ready!
The last three days have been an intense (and intensely hot) period of discovery, practice, and planning. Because Adrienne II is not a 59N boat, there's been some extra setup and coordination needed including rigging all the sails that were out for repairs before we arrived. Its been a blast working alongside the 59N team getting to help them work things out on a less familiar boat in real time. Tomorrow morning we'll run through our Person Over Board training as the final pre-departure task, cast off and head out. Can't know all that it will be, but its going to be a great adventure out in the vast world with some pretty fantastic people.
Among the Channel Islands
In the wind shadow of SoCal we had a restful night with calm conditions ghosting through smooth seas. We’re getting ourselves in position for spicy weather tonight once we round Cape Conception, the seas build and the breeze freshens. It will be an upwind sail into an acceleration zone along a formable coast with few bailout points, Morro Bay being one. The crew is really gelling with lots of smiles and laughter on deck. Monterey is in our sights!
Day Two Delights
The seas were completely glassy with a gentle swell as we approached San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands. Everyone jumped in and marvelled at the lovely temperature and crystal clear, indigo-colored water. Before long the wind started to pick up, and we happily unfurled the jib and were sailing again. The afternoon has been gorgeous, cruising along at 5-6 kts, close hauled on a port tack in a gentle breeze, Catalina Island in the distance on our starboard side, and everyone is happy.