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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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!