Sailing at sea...

It is now day four of our ten-day sail from Benin to Tenerife. The first three days have seen smooth seas and some spectacular sights - although today we are rocking much more than the first few days at sea. It's almost a relief in a sense. The first few days felt as if we were still docked. It was unreal. At least now it feels as if we're at sea! That being said here are some photos of what we have seen so far on our journey... from a waterspout to whales and much more! God is good!

The waterspout reaching down to touch the water! More on waterspouts click here.

Dolphins swimming alongside the Africa Mercy!

They are such graceful creatures!

Sperm whales in the waters off the ship.

More whales.

Passing the Atwood Hunter oil platform, drilling oil for Ghana!

The Bridge of the Africa Mercy.

Looking aft from the port-side bridge wing.

Sailing on a course a little south of west.

Nothing beats an Atlantic sunset!

Departing Cotonou...

Shortly after 10h00 yesterday morning (Tuesday, 8th December) the M/V Africa Mercy departed Cotonou, Benin, bound for Tenerife. I was amazed how swiftly we left the Port. One moment we were docked; the next moment we're sailing along the open seas!

The day of our departure we had an At-Sea lifeboat drill and muster (to ensure that all those sailing with us were indeed onboard) as well as a stowaway search. Shortly thereafter we sailed out of Cotonou's Port, passing the breakwater and the small crowd of waving well-wishers, including the Togo Advance team and a number of our faithful, dedicated day volunteers. They will certainly be missed, and it is the hardworking day volunteers that are often overlooked. They did much to make the ship ready for sailing - and for this we are thankful.

Sailing along the open seas, I slept the afternoon away - the steady rocking motion of the ship really puts me to sleep, like a baby in a crib. This drowsiness is my only symptom of seasickness. I really do enjoy sailing. And then after supper a large contingent of the crew made it out onto the bow from where we watched the sun slowly set beneath the waves. It was the perfect first day at sea.

With that being said we are now sailing a ten-day voyage to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. Please continue to pray for safe travels and smooth seas. Thanks and God bless!

Deck department secure the main gangway.

More hardworking deckies on the aft mooring deck.


Tug Cauris stands by.

Pilot boat Emergence awaits our departure.

Cauris takes the strain...

... And our stern is pulled away from the dock!

Crew watch as the Africa Mercy clears the dock.

The now empty berth where we were docked for ten-months.

Passing the breakwater and entering open seas!

The pilot boat approaches us...

... Takes the pilot onboard...

... And speeds back to the harbour!

Leaving the Africa Mercy sailing out on the Atlantic Ocean bound for Tenerife! Farewell Benin... We love you and will miss you!

Minor correction...

Please note that the previous post (Ready to Sail!) was actually posted after we had started sailing - although it was intended to be posted on Monday. We left yesterday morning (Tuesday 8th December) and I will put up a detailed blog post about our departure soon!

Ready to Sail!

The second blackout was successful and the engines were tested again on Saturday (5th December). The issues were resolved. Our radar (which had been a little temperamental) has been fixed and is working correctly. The vehicles have been loaded on Deck 8. We have our clearance from the Port and are ready to sail. Tenerife, here we come!

A Walk to Hotel Du Lac...

Last Friday (4th December) we had a second blackout day, as there were some more issues our Engineers needed to resolve ahead of our sail to Tenerife. So the work day was rather disrupted as the power shut down at lunch time. I worked in the Purser's office in the morning, and then had the afternoon off. I joined a few friends in walking to Hotel Du Lac, a favourite destination amongst Mercy Ships crew. Richard, PJ and I walked past some interesting scenes on our journey and on the way back I made sure my camera was out to capture the atmosphere.

Walking the streets of Cotonou.

Heading back over the bridge towards the Port.

One of the big cargo-car ferries that are frequent visitors to the Port.

Hotel Du Lac as seen from the bridge.

A little fishing hut.

A War Memorial near the Port.

Chez Lea - a favourite restaurant amongst Mercy Ships crew.

A modified moped/Vespa scooter.

This is a common sight underneath large trucks - a hammock for the driver to sleep in!

The entrance to our dock.

Cotonou's small drydock facility is taking shape.

The pretty fishing village and all the colourful boats.

I hope that gives you a small small idea of some of the sights of Cotonou. It is strange to believe that I have been here for over three months... And now have only days left before we begin our sail north to Tenerife. Until the next post, God bless!

The Lady with the Blue Skirt...

This is The Lady with the Blue Skirt (as Mercy Ships crew call her). It is a statue of a lady releasing a dove as a sign of peace. Located on the road to the Port, she welcomes tired Mercy Ships crew members as they return from a hard day out in Cotonou. If you travel past her down the road (visible in the shot), and turn right just up ahead, you will come out on the dock and see the M/V Africa Mercy.

Notre Dame Catholic Church...

This is the Notre Dame (Our Lady) Catholic Church, located within ten minutes of the Port. It is one of the impressive buildings here in Cotonou, Benin. The church's colour scheme, red and white stripes, reminds me of a giant Lego construction project.