Position: 1600 LT 48˚41’N, 006˚28’W
Date:Thursday September 3, 2009
Clipper Stad Amsterdam Darwin CPR

CPR

A “continuous plankton recorder” is an instrument of about 3 feet length and a weight of ninety kilograms. This measuring equipment came on board at Plymouth roads and is meant to register dates about plankton. This afternoon was the first opportunity to lower the thing at open sea. It appeared to be even easier than we expected, in spite being under canvas. The clipper doesn’t seem to bother the towing of the instrument showing no decrease in speed.
After having pitched the entire night against a steep sea under engine and staysails undersigned found we made enough longitude to the west to stop the diesel and round the Breton dangers under sail into the Bay of Biscay. This westernmost point of France has got a regulated traffic system that in most cases appears not suitable to sailing vessels but does not allow dispensation for that system so we are forced to make extra miles to avoid the system. It is remarkable that a vessel which is ignored by modern times has to tow some equipment to determine the influence of nowadays’ life to our planet.


Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam