King Neptune’s Realm
Latitude: 1° S
Longitude: 92° W
April 8, 2025, 2111 Ship’s Time | 8 Miles South of Equator, 92º W Longitude | Motoring
All the things happened at the same time this evening. We crossed the equator southbound just as the sun was kissing the horizon to the west. We shut down the engine and fired a cannon salute, and with that, dinner was served. King Neptune would have to wait until after we ate.
Before dish duty though, he appeared with his fellow Shellbacks—his Queen (Kim), his Royal Barbour (Scott), Doctor Doom (Ted), and Davy Jones (Udo). The Pollywogs in the crew—Hilary, Dennis, Erik, Aidan, and me—would be read their crimes against the deep by Davy Jones and sentenced by Neptune himself (Jim, dressed in full Neptune regalia). Emily drove the boat, which didn’t actually require much driving given that we’d switched the engine off for the ceremony and were flat becalmed, literally drifting in circles.
Punishments included “cleansing of the head with a bucket of salty water,” a dose of Doctor Doom’s secret elixir, the singing of a shanty, and in my case, a “haircut” from the Royal Barbour. This all happened by the light of the moon, as the sun had long ago set while we were eating Emily’s delicious chicken and noodle stir-fry. At the conclusion, all of us Pollywogs were accepted into King Neptune’s realm and joined the other Shellbacks. Job done!
FALKEN continues burning fuel and steaming southwest. We’re hoping to catch the edge of the SE’ly trades at around 3º south, which is another 24+ hours from here. So far, we’re a tank-and-a-half down on diesel, with six-and-a-half remaining, so I’m not yet concerned. Once the trades fill in, it looks to be pretty steady, but 3,000 miles is a long way if the wind doesn’t fill in! That’s the doldrums for you.
Until tomorrow, HOLD FAST.
// Andy
P.S. If you are reading the blogs, please write some comments in the section below and we’ll send it over to the crew to read. I am sure they will love it :) - Mia (shore support on Leg 6, Galapagos to Marquesas)
andy@59-north.com
View more passage logs
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!