GOLD COAST QIN-SIN 230600ZMAR12 SKED

LAT 40 53.8N
LONG 153 20.0W
DTR 1448
ETA 0600 31 Mar 12

WEATHER WIND 219@33, Sea Rough, Swell SW 4m, Cloud O/C, Baro 1026

Gold Coast has been making some fantastic milage over the past 24 hours as we charge towards the Golden Gate Bridge and Oakland. This afternoon saw a cold change in the weather and some drizzle, as the wind started to veer to the east and increase up to 40kts making for some exciting sled riding down waves.

An interesting part of sailing in the North pacific is the amount of flotsam and jetsam to be found drifting past. Very early this morning as we surfed down the waves in the dark Gold Coast Australia collided with an unknown object making a large banging sound down below. The hull was checked for damage and there is none noticible, however to be sure we monitorred bildge levels every hour until midday to be certain. It will be interesting to inspect the hull on arrival in Oakland and see if the unknown object caused any damage. There are rumours of massive pacific grave yards where so much of the worlds ocean garbage is naturally collected in a big whirl pool. While we have not yet seen the infamous whirl pool, disued nets, fishing floats, polystyrene, water bottles and even debris apparently from the fatal Japanese Tsunami can be seen drifing in collective amounts and stand out in bleak contrast to the occasional black footed albatross, sei whales and various species of dolphin that demonstrate the beauty and life of our winds swept environment.

The Sei Whales in particular have been paying us many visits, and one surfaced only 20m from the boat this morning giving us a fantastic show of its massive sleek body. Numerous other whales have also been demonstrating their beauty, however no more have come this close.