The doldrums, also known as the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), is the area where the southeast trades of the southern hemisphere collide with the northeast trades of the northern hemisphere. Because of this convergence of two strong and persistent bands of wind, the area is typically home to unsettled weather – squalls, shifting winds, and uncomfortable sea state.
As we approached the ITCZ, it was easy to tell. A line of dark squalls marched across the horizon, thunder rumbling and lightning illuminating the dark clouds at night.
But just as at so many other times so far on this passage, our good luck seemed to prevail. We battled three or four squalls, each larger, longer lasting and more intense than typical but not really too bad. And the lightning, our real fear, seemed to taper off as we passed through – we saw plenty of bolts but luckily no nearby strikes.
After 18 hours or so, we emerged from a dark squall into blue skies, puffy white clouds, and light winds from the northeast. We made it through.
All’s well onboard.
Day Twenty-nine
135nm
02 47.9S 44 47.0W
