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Spirit of Cardiff is under way again after a brief replenishment in St John's.
Fuel tanks were filled up without incident, taking on 2351 litres of diesel -- that's an average of two lites per nautical mile on the voyage from New York. The boat was also stocked up with food, water and other essential supplies. For the onward journey to the Azores, Alan and the crew will be living on pasta, fruit, peanuts, juices and jelly beans!
The team set off from St. Johns at 14.22 fortified by a hot meal of fish and chips, washed down with mugs of hot tea.
Alan Priddy at the helm of Spirit
In order to break the current record of 130 hrs 45 minutes set by Cable & Wireless Adventurer for New York to Azores, Spirit of Cardiff has around 68 hours to cover the 1200 nautical miles to Horta in the Azores. This will require an average speed of just over 17 knots. Whilst Spirit of Cardiff has a maximum cruising speed of around 30 knots, this is dramatically reduced in rough seas so we will be keeping a keen eye on the weather.
Michael Rees, the Cardiff Bay chaplain who is based on the lightship moored next to our visitor centre, has emailed a prayer to the crew to help them on their way: "Lord, as you stilled the storms on Galilee be pleased bless the Spirit of Cardiff and her crew as she makes this record attempt. Grant her a safe and successful journey. Create your peace upon the ranging waters and in our anxious hearts. Amen."
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