Barracuda

We sailed for a couple of days on the grand Bahama Bank, then we encountered the effects of the Gulf Stream.   There, your vessel may be moving over the water at 5 knots, but with a 2 and at times 3 knots current against you, you are actually only traveling at about 2 knots.   Motoring through this long stretch would waste much fuel, so sailing patiently is the key.  Now, if in addition to this current you have head winds, you are forced to make wide tacks between the Bahamas and Cuba, traveling some 20 miles to gain 5 or 6.  Well, you guessed it; head winds it was.  

After 72 hours of tacking we were all thrilled to see that Grande Inagua was only one day away. There, we would stop to get some provisions, and get some much needed rest.  In addition, from Grande Inagua we would head out of the Gulf Stream down the windward passage into Haiti.   We had traveled two thirds of the most difficult part of the journey. The rest would be easy and even enjoyable.

Behind us there seemed to be lots of excitement on Hazak.   After days of trolling, Andre’s fishing pole curved violently, as the drag on his reel screamed.   He reeled and reeled, arched back, and reeled some more. The battle went on for quite some time.   Then came the news over the radio: “Mom!… I just caught  a BARRACUDA!!!”

Captain Raymond decided we should all anchor for a while to celebrate our five day accomplishment.  We were pretty spent at this point, but Captain, a seasoned sailor who had made this passing countless times, knew there was good cause to celebrate.

“Rabbi, this crossing has taken me 12 days… We have done exceptionally well. Praise Adonaia!” Cheered the Captain.

By now all four vessels were gathering and dropping anchor.  Noah began taking out our mask and fins, and everyone began changing into their bathing suits.   The water looked like something out of paradise.  Although we were in 15 feet depths, the water was so clear, we could see the reef full of colorful marine life beneath us.

Yod Hey came slowly past us and got close to La Victoria.  Smoky stood on the bow frantically waving his hands as if trying to send an emergency signal to Captain.  Something didn’t feel right…   We could see both Smoky and Captain speaking on the radio, but we could not hear the transmission.  This could only mean they went dark… (Changing to an unmentioned Chanel to have a private conversation…)

Lisa began scanning through the radio channels… Then she looked at me.   “They’re on Channel ten…” She said with a concerned voice.       

Nothing we had suffered up to this point, could have prepared us for what was about to happen.

To be continued