We finally left Nongsa behind us this morning, setting sail at first light. Our recent "sea trial" threw a wrench in the plans, requiring Rhona's swift return twice to Singapore for essential spares.
Thankfully, the final stretch through the Singapore Strait was smooth sailing. Ample navigable water allowed us to maintain a safe distance from the main channel traffic. And with a full fuel tank and four additional 200-liter fuel drums securely fastened in the cockpit, we're making our way south.
However, the weather forecast isn't exactly sunshine and rainbows. Early predictions reveal a couple of lows forming southwest of Jakarta, forcing us to hug the Java Sea to avoid them. My initial plan was to bypass the Java Sea and head "outside," which would entail a longer journey but significantly less traffic. Unfortunately, Mother Nature seems to have other plans.
Speaking of dodging, keeping a watchful eye is crucial right now. While cargo ships, thankfully well-lit and predictable for the most part, fill the AIS, the real challenge lies with the local fishing boats which don't have AIS and seem to operate in stealth mode. Forget proper lighting - theirs seem to be improvised with spare parts from a questionable car shop! And for some inexplicable reason, they appear convinced that fish magically congregate directly in front of oncoming yachts!
The raised cockpit on the Lagoon proves invaluable in this situation. It provides a perfect vantage point for keeping watch, essential for navigating this bustling maritime highway. We'll be heavily relying on our trusty AIS and good old-fashioned vigilance to navigate safely until we reach calmer waters.
Stay tuned for further updates on our journey! We'll keep you posted on our progress, the weather shenanigans, and hopefully less stressful encounters with the local fishermen.