This morning we found a dozen dead flying fish on deck. (There was
even a small squid a few days ago.) This is a common phenomenon and these
little guys can be quite a nuisance. Last night, with a beautiful full moon
finally breaking thru the clouds, we heard one hit the pilothouse window right
next to Kurt’s head with blood and scales left on the window as evidence to
what had just occurred. All noises must be accounted for while at sea as they
could indicate possible structural, mechanical or other maintenance issues. The
French name for these guys is exocet (latin fish family Exocoetidae) and is why
the European missile is
named after them. We always try to wear sunglasses on deck when they are on the
wing and any impact would be painful.

On one passage we were below remarking how bad the other
smelled. We were standing right beneath one of the ventilators where we
finally determined where the smell was coming from. Reaching into the vent from
on deck, sure enough, there was a rotting flying fish.

All this talk of fish and the water temperature now up to
78 F makes us want to get out the gear and catch some! But we also have to make
some space in the fridge and freezer as whatever we catch out here – tuna,
mahimahi, wahoo, etc. could be quite big. Maybe tomorrow.

On May 23, 2024, our position at

1200 local

1200 PDT

0700 NZST (May 24)

was:

15d33.8m N, 139d17.7m W

24 hr noon to noon:   213 nm