With a very short night we woke at 4:30 and very quick everyone was awake to prepare breakfast and the boat, so we could actually leave even a few minutes before 5 am. It wasn’t really dark anymore, but still switching to red inside. With red light your eyes keep adjusted to less light and you see better in the dark. Fortunately we’ve been now twice at Borkum, so we know the way. I contact Ems Traffic to inform them our intentions. No traffic on the shipping lane. They tell me I have a poor radio transition signal, very good they inform, since you cannot notice yourself. After I explained that I am aware, as I use the emergency antenna on the back of the ship, they understand and which us a save trip.

After crossing the shipping lane and turning north, the genua can be set. First in addition, but after we leave Borkum further and further behind us the engine can be turned off. Enough wind to sail with the genua alone: between 4 and 5,2 knots. With more sleep, the mainsail (wind from the back) would be possible, but let’s stay save. I’m very tired and the crew even more. The route is exactly like the inbound route. Some waypoints I slightly move.

After Engelsmanplaat the current get’s too strong for only sailing and also the wind is coming from the East, so it gets hard anyway. With 2 knots against and 5 forward, we move slowly 3 knots over the ground. Teun is steering against current and wind and does a good job. He notices that the engine tachometer drops to 500 (it was 2000 and still feels like 2000 rpm), strange … In the harbour the wind makes it very difficult to moor. Fortunately 2 boxes are empty, so we can try and fail without any harm.

We have moored, Sybren turns off the engine as daily routine. Actually I prefer the other box, since the wind is blowing us to the landing stage. I bring out a line on the winch to get us to the other box. I little help from the engine, with this wind. However the engine does not start. That is strange. For now I leave it and use the which only, a little handpower. After we have moored definitely, I try the engine again, no lights. The accu gives 12,5 volt. Also with the start and/or service accu, no starting engine. We have had less voltage, so that shouldn’t be the problem. With the tachometer, this looks like a loose contact. I can’t find it. Finally I call a mechanic, who has only time the day after tomorrow. We make a quick plan and catch the bus in 30 minutes for a day in Woudsend.

• Departure: 14-07-2026 05:00 (Borkum (DE))
  Arrival: 14-07-2026 14:00 (Lauwersoog)
• Sailing time: 6 h
• Engine time: 3 h
• Sailing distance: 35.7 NM