Bahamas--> Panama, Days 5 & 6

Day 5, 2/27: In passage between EJ amaica & W Haiti, spectacular pre-dawn scene with bright Venus rising before thin crescent of almost-new moon above US-owned wildlife sanctuary Isla Navassa. Fox passed 8 mi. W of Navassa. SE winds10-15 became E wind 5-10 in p.m. with 6' SE swells. Are these the trade winds? Visited by several gannets & a pod of 12 small dolphin -1st time we've seen so many dolphin together since coming thru the Canal 3 yrs. ago.

Day 6, 2/28: overnight SE winds 10-18 backed to E & dropped to 4 knots by p.m. Forecast for Sun. - Tue. calls for worsening WX as we approach Panama, w/ squalls, winds to low 30s & seas 8'-10'. We change course to motor WSW in flat seas & dead air to try & avoid freighter shipping lanes & to stay N of most of the worst WX when it comes. Position at UTC 2100 (4pm Eastern): 16 deg. 03'N/76 deg. 22'W.
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