Position: 2000 LT, 37°N, 001°19’W
Date:Monday June 14, 2010

Pilot whales

We have experienced the typical Mediterranean weather again, no wind forces us to use our engine to reach our destination. We haven’t left the Gulf of Alboran yet and already experienced a total lack of wind.
 
We call this weather, “wale-spotting-weather”. Validly because all animals reaching the surface are not even camouflaged by wrinkles or waves of the water. Today we met several dolphins and a few pilot whales. In the afternoon a few of them came scarily close to our ship. Although we enjoy getting close, to admire their appearance, we really want to prevent a collision. We could actually smell their spray which is not such a pleasant fragrance…

Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam