Today’s journey of seven miles is short in distance but long on symbolic significance. In transiting Whale Cay Passage, we leave behind the Sea of Abaco and officially begin our return to the U.S. Once “above the Whale”, we will follow a course north and west across the Little Bahama Bank towards West End, our point of departure for Florida.
At 10 AM, the anchor is up at Treasure Cay and Cutter Loose is bound for Whale Cay, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Sea of Abaco. There is barely one foot of swell running in the cut when we enter the Ocean at slack high tide. Conditions couldn’t be more favorable for this brief passage around Whale Cay. When transiting the Whale, boring is good.
At 1 PM, we are anchored in White Sound at Green Turtle Cay. The holding ground in this harbor is notoriously poor. But the wind today is light, so holding will not be a problem. Today’s calm conditions are in sharp contrast to the 25 knot trade winds that kept us docked at the Green Turtle Club for three days in early March. An afternoon stroll to the ocean beach provides a welcome diversion.
In addition to being a lovely harbor, overnighting at Green Turtle Cay offers an opportunity to access the latest weather predictions via Internet. After departing Green Turtle, we will be without Internet access until arriving at West End. Based on current forecasts, a potential weather window for crossing the Gulf Stream appears to be opening during the period beginning Saturday 4/14 through Tuesday 4/17. Our goal for the next four days is to position Cutter Loose to take advantage of this opportunity.
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