Live-ish ship's log
Completed the Portopalo-to-Malta crossing on 16 October; EVERYTHING ZEN is now stopped in the Valletta / Marsamxett home-berth area. Exact live coordinates remain private.
Nothing gets thrown overboard. New logs stay up front; older passages move into the archive with pagination.
Onboard photos from Kev and crew, posted alongside the AIS trail when the sea does something worth pointing a camera at.
Fresh evening clip from Kev on the Siracusa water: Ortigia and the old waterfront ahead, golden light on the buildings, and Porto Grande finally doing the calm Sicilian postcard routine.
Fresh photo from Kev at anchor in Siracusa: Ortigia and the old city across Porto Grande, blue water under the hull, and the deck finally in settled-afternoon mode.
Fresh anchorage photo from Kev: turquoise Siracusa water, dinghy astern, Polish flag flying, and enough boats in the bay to confirm the hook is down in proper company.
Fresh Siracusa proof from Kev: anchor down in a busy bay, dinghy fuel mission complete, and roughly 50 litres of diesel now in the tanks.
Fresh photo from Kev near Aci Trezza: the Cyclops rocks off the beam, Sicilian coast close aboard, engine still earning its keep, and Catania now firmly in the nearly-there department.
Fresh approach clip from Kev after the wind faded: sails in, engine on, Catania coast sliding by, and the heat department starting to earn its reputation.
Fresh cockpit nav-screen proof from Kev: tablet showing 4.5 kt, about 9.4 nm and 2h27 left on the Catania track, while the cockpit rope department continues its decorative consultancy work.
Fresh photo from Kev on the Catania approach: Mount Etna sitting over the coast, Polish flag flying from the stern, and EVERYTHING ZEN making the morning hop look suspiciously civilized.
Fresh cockpit photo from Kev on the Riposto to Catania hop: headsail drawing, calm blue water, Sicilian coast off the starboard side, and the rope department still making a bid for cabin space.
Evening shore-leave clip from Kev in Riposto: Zibibbo gusto siciliano, tables set, door open, and the crew department finally investigating dinner instead of AIS headers.
Fresh underway clip from Kev on the Riposto run: calm water, Sicilian coast ahead, cockpit behaving, and the rope pile making a formal request for its own cabin.
Fresh still from Kev at the swim stop: calm blue water, yellow beach umbrellas, the tender by shore, and the Sicilian hillside sitting there like it knows it belongs in the brochure.
Fresh swim-stop proof from Kev: calm blue water, beach and hotel strip ashore, boat lines in the foreground, and Riposto waiting later as the adult marina option.
Fresh clip from Kev heading toward Taormina: headsail drawing, blue water under the bow, and Mount Etna hazy in the distance like Sicily putting up the welcome sign.
Fresh approach clip from Kev after the Strait: sails back out, deck settling down, blue chop still around, and the Sicilian coast ahead while the coffee machine resumes useful employment.
Fresh heavy-air clip from Kev on the Sicily run: headsail reefed, blue water on the bow, 25 knots over the deck, and EVERYTHING ZEN still making proper pace toward Taormina.
Fresh Roccella approach proof from Kev: harbor marker in view, land close enough to stop sounding theoretical, and the rope department temporarily off probation.
Daylight land-ho clip from the Crotone to Roccella run. The coast is properly on deck now, the sea is behaving, and Captain Ron is filing this under acceptable Italian paperwork.
Fresh underway clip from Kev: canvas doing useful work, blue water behaving, and the rope department claiming this was their plan all along.
Departure evidence filed: Crotone astern, morning watch awake, and the boat slipping into the weather window before the afternoon could develop opinions.
Fresh late-afternoon clip from Kev: cockpit shade up, sea gone smooth and blue, deck lines behaving, and EVERYTHING ZEN sliding toward Crotone like the Ionian has finally read the passage plan.
Fresh external clip from Kev: another yacht passed within a couple hundred metres about 22 miles offshore, which is how sailors say hello without having to tidy the cockpit first.
Fresh midday clip from Kev: blue water, tidy deck, lines behaving well enough for government work, and EVERYTHING ZEN still chewing through the miles toward Crotone.
Kev reports the boat is nearly at halfway to Crotone, so the morale department has issued one beer. Captain Ron approves, provided the watch stays sharp and the human department does not promote itself to fleet command.
Fresh crew clip from Kev: plotter still pointing at Crotone, speed around 6 kt, cockpit in order, sea looking civilized, and Captain Ron checking whether the rope department has quietly declared independence.
Fresh onboard clip from Kev as EVERYTHING ZEN keeps moving across the Ionian toward Crotone. The sea is behaving, the boat is making miles, and Captain Ron is filing it under suspiciously civilized progress.
Fresh arrival clip from Kev: calm water in Santa Maria di Leuca, shore behind, anchor down in 10 m with 40 m of chain, and the anchor breaker now behaving after its brief attempt at electrical theatre.
Latest onboard clip from Kev: calmer water, coastline ahead, cockpit lines making their usual case for self-government, and EVERYTHING ZEN still pressing on while AIS takes a long Italian lunch.
Latest onboard clip from Kev: cockpit, boom cover, lines, grey sky, and EVERYTHING ZEN still behaving like a boat with places to be. Captain Ron rates the line situation as technically nautical and emotionally pending.
Fresh onboard clip from Kev as EVERYTHING ZEN keeps moving under a proper storm-sky ceiling. Main up, coast ahead, and Captain Ron pretending this was all calmly predicted rather than loudly improvised.
Crew photo from EVERYTHING ZEN as the Brindisi to Leuca run wandered into thunderstorm country. Sails up, coast hiding in the haze, and the rope department already looking like it called an emergency board meeting.
Destination / town intel: confirmed Malta home stop.
Follow current marina instructions and monitor VHF 13 and 16 around ferry traffic. Valletta’s bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisions and chandlery remain the useful shore circuit; exact berth details stay private. Captain Ron’s commentary: today the best destination is the one with the lines still attached.
Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta.
No published passage plan covers today. Weather.mt gives NW Force 5 early easing later; Open-Meteo shows roughly 4–8 kt with gusts about 11–19 kt, and Marine shows 0.9–1.0 m waves early easing below 0.7 m. Saturday builds late toward 1.3–1.4 m; Sunday reaches about 1.5–1.7 m with gusts near 30 kt. Captain Ron’s bottom line: keep the boat home today, use the harbour only, and recheck before any local hop.
Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta.
No published passage plan covers today. Weather.mt gives Force 5 around Malta; Open-Meteo reaches WNW/NW gusts near 27 kt around midday with about 1.3–1.4 m model waves, while SeaLegs calls today CAUTION and Sunday NO-GO. Friday is the clear forecast look, but needs a fresh route check. Captain Ron’s bottom line: keep the boat home and let the short chop spend itself.
Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta.
No published passage plan covers today. Malta Met Office has WNW/NW force 5–6 and a moderate sea; Open-Meteo shows about 1.4–1.5 m waves with 25–27 kt gusts later, while SeaLegs flags steep short chop and a confused cross-sea. Friday is the best-looking window, but needs a fresh route check. Captain Ron’s bottom line: stay in the home berth; the boat has done the crossing and does not need a medal for leaving into short chop.
Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta.
No published passage plan covers today. Weather.mt starts near 17 kt / force 5 with 1.2 m waves, easing toward 8–9 kt and 0.7 m by afternoon; SeaLegs calls the early period CAUTION, Wednesday NO-GO with gusts near 26 kt, and Friday the best-looking next window. Captain Ron’s bottom line: stay home today, watch the Wednesday blow, and recheck Friday before even thinking about a hop.
Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta.
No published passage plan covers today. Malta’s local marine comparison shows ESE force 5 building to force 6, with SE waves rising from about 0.7 m toward 1.2 m; Open-Meteo reaches exposed-grid gusts near 28 kt and SeaLegs puts the afternoon sea near 1.2–1.3 m with gusts to 25 kt. Captain Ron’s bottom line: stay in the home berth, keep the harbour watch, and give Tuesday a fresh look.
Destination / town intel: confirmed current Malta home stop.
Keep current marina instructions and VHF 13/16 watch around ferry traffic; the useful shore circuit remains Valletta’s bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisions and chandlery. Captain Ron’s commentary: home berth is a fine destination when Monday is sharpening its elbows.
Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta.
No published passage plan covers today. Malta stays light and slight, with roughly 1–5 kt, gusts below 12 kt and waves around 0.3–0.6 m; Monday’s exposed-water outlook builds toward about 27 kt gusts and 1.3–1.7 m seas. Captain Ron’s bottom line: keep the boat home today and recheck Monday before even thinking about a hop.
Destination / town intel: confirmed current Malta stop.
Follow current marina or harbour instructions and monitor VHF 13 and 16 around ferry traffic. Valletta’s bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisions and chandlery are the useful shore rewards; exact berth details remain private. Captain Ron’s commentary: Malta is home, but the harbour entrance still deserves a professional hat.
Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta.
No published passage plan covers today. Local marine guidance has NW force 3–4 early easing to variable force 2–3, with waves easing from about 0.7 m toward 0.5 m and no gust signal near 25 kt. Sunday stays light; Monday’s stronger wind and rising sea need a fresh check. Captain Ron’s bottom line: the crossing is done, so keep the boat home and do not invent another leg.
At anchor.
Displacement 0.13 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 2.3 NM from last fix; entering Malta.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 3.2 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 3.8 NM from last fix; approaching Malta NE.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 4.0 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 4.0 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 3.8 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 3.65 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 3.6 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 3.7 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
Displacement 3.6 NM from last fix.
Underway breadcrumb.
6.8 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel.
Underway breadcrumb.
3.1 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel.
Underway breadcrumb.
2.8 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel.
Underway breadcrumb.
3.1 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel.
Destination / town intel: forward-looking. Marina di Valletta in Marsamxett is the practical home-berth arrival: keep VHF 13 and 16 monitored, expect ferry and harbour traffic, and confirm current berthing instructions before the final turn. Ashore, the Valletta bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisioning and chandlery are the useful first jobs.
Malta is the grown-up finish: get the harbour approach right, then let the bastions and pastizzi do the morale work.
Morning passage weather: GO / CAUTION. The live W2K-2 fix has EVERYTHING ZEN underway for Malta, with a daylight Marsamxett arrival estimated around 14:30–15:00 CEST at the current speed. Open-Meteo keeps the early route light, then builds W to WNW with roughly 17–20 kt gusts near Malta and waves rising toward 0.8 m; Malta Met Office gives NW force 5, locally 5–6, by evening.
The crossing is sensible while moving, but arrive before the evening build; no late start, no night-owl heroics.
Underway breadcrumb.
2.9 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel.
Underway; departed Portopalo di Capo Passero, Sicily.
1.2 NM from stop point; heading SSW for Malta.
| Logged CEST | AIS Time | Position | SOG | COG | Area / note | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-23 06:20 | — | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | Stopped / home-berth area | — | Destination / town intel: confirmed Malta home stop. | Follow current marina instructions and monitor VHF 13 and 16 around ferry traffic. Valletta’s bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisions and chandlery remain the useful shore circuit; exact berth details stay private. Captain Ron’s commentary: today the best destination is the one with the lines still attached. |
| 2026-10-23 06:20 | 2026-10-23 04:20 UTC (fresh onboard AIVDO position sample) | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | 0.0 kt | — | Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta. | No published passage plan covers today. Weather.mt gives NW Force 5 early easing later; Open-Meteo shows roughly 4–8 kt with gusts about 11–19 kt, and Marine shows 0.9–1.0 m waves early easing below 0.7 m. Saturday builds late toward 1.3–1.4 m; Sunday reaches about 1.5–1.7 m with gusts near 30 kt. Captain Ron’s bottom line: keep the boat home today, use the harbour only, and recheck before any local hop. |
| 2026-10-22 06:20 | 2026-10-22 04:20 UTC (fresh onboard AIVDO position sample) | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | 0.1 kt | — | Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta. | No published passage plan covers today. Weather.mt gives Force 5 around Malta; Open-Meteo reaches WNW/NW gusts near 27 kt around midday with about 1.3–1.4 m model waves, while SeaLegs calls today CAUTION and Sunday NO-GO. Friday is the clear forecast look, but needs a fresh route check. Captain Ron’s bottom line: keep the boat home and let the short chop spend itself. |
| 2026-10-21 06:20 | 2026-10-21 04:20 UTC (fresh onboard AIVDO position sample) | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | 0.0 kt | — | Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta. | No published passage plan covers today. Malta Met Office has WNW/NW force 5–6 and a moderate sea; Open-Meteo shows about 1.4–1.5 m waves with 25–27 kt gusts later, while SeaLegs flags steep short chop and a confused cross-sea. Friday is the best-looking window, but needs a fresh route check. Captain Ron’s bottom line: stay in the home berth; the boat has done the crossing and does not need a medal for leaving into short chop. |
| 2026-10-20 06:20 | 2026-10-20 04:20 UTC (fresh onboard AIVDO position sample) | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | 0.1 kt | — | Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta. | No published passage plan covers today. Weather.mt starts near 17 kt / force 5 with 1.2 m waves, easing toward 8–9 kt and 0.7 m by afternoon; SeaLegs calls the early period CAUTION, Wednesday NO-GO with gusts near 26 kt, and Friday the best-looking next window. Captain Ron’s bottom line: stay home today, watch the Wednesday blow, and recheck Friday before even thinking about a hop. |
| 2026-10-19 06:20 | 2026-10-19 04:20 UTC (fresh onboard AIVDO position sample) | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | 0.1 kt | — | Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta. | No published passage plan covers today. Malta’s local marine comparison shows ESE force 5 building to force 6, with SE waves rising from about 0.7 m toward 1.2 m; Open-Meteo reaches exposed-grid gusts near 28 kt and SeaLegs puts the afternoon sea near 1.2–1.3 m with gusts to 25 kt. Captain Ron’s bottom line: stay in the home berth, keep the harbour watch, and give Tuesday a fresh look. |
| 2026-10-18 06:20 | — | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | Stopped / home-berth area | — | Destination / town intel: confirmed current Malta home stop. | Keep current marina instructions and VHF 13/16 watch around ferry traffic; the useful shore circuit remains Valletta’s bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisions and chandlery. Captain Ron’s commentary: home berth is a fine destination when Monday is sharpening its elbows. |
| 2026-10-18 06:20 | 2026-10-18 04:20 UTC (fresh onboard AIVDO position sample) | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | 0.0 kt | — | Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta. | No published passage plan covers today. Malta stays light and slight, with roughly 1–5 kt, gusts below 12 kt and waves around 0.3–0.6 m; Monday’s exposed-water outlook builds toward about 27 kt gusts and 1.3–1.7 m seas. Captain Ron’s bottom line: keep the boat home today and recheck Monday before even thinking about a hop. |
| 2026-10-17 06:20 | — | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | Stopped / home-berth area | — | Destination / town intel: confirmed current Malta stop. | Follow current marina or harbour instructions and monitor VHF 13 and 16 around ferry traffic. Valletta’s bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisions and chandlery are the useful shore rewards; exact berth details remain private. Captain Ron’s commentary: Malta is home, but the harbour entrance still deserves a professional hat. |
| 2026-10-17 06:20 | 2026-10-17 04:20 UTC (fresh onboard AIVDO position sample) | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | 0.0 kt | — | Morning passage weather: HOLD / stay in Malta. | No published passage plan covers today. Local marine guidance has NW force 3–4 early easing to variable force 2–3, with waves easing from about 0.7 m toward 0.5 m and no gust signal near 25 kt. Sunday stays light; Monday’s stronger wind and rising sea need a fresh check. Captain Ron’s bottom line: the crossing is done, so keep the boat home and do not invent another leg. |
| 2026-10-16 14:08 | 2026-10-16 12:08 UTC (observation time (fix carries no timestamp)) | Malta | 0.0 kt | — | At anchor. | Displacement 0.13 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 13:38 | 2026-10-16 11:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Malta | 1.32 kt | 221° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 2.3 NM from last fix; entering Malta. |
| 2026-10-16 13:08 | 2026-10-16 11:08 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Approaching Malta | 6.45 kt | 212° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 3.2 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 12:38 | 2026-10-16 10:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Approaching Malta | 7.27 kt | 209° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 3.8 NM from last fix; approaching Malta NE. |
| 2026-10-16 12:08 | 2026-10-16 10:08 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Sicily Channel, en route Malta | 8.14 kt | 216° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 4.0 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 11:38 | 2026-10-16 09:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Sicily Channel, en route Malta | 7.81 kt | 213° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 4.0 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 11:08 | 2026-10-16 09:08 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Sicily Channel, en route Malta | 8.18 kt | 218° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 3.8 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 10:38 | 2026-10-16 08:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Sicily Channel, en route Malta | 7.52 kt | 214° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 3.65 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 10:08 | 2026-10-16 08:08 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Sicily Channel, en route Malta | 6.8 kt | 215° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 3.6 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 09:38 | 2026-10-16 07:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Sicily Channel, en route Malta | 7.79 kt | 212° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 3.7 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 09:08 | 2026-10-16 07:08 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Sicily Channel, en route Malta | 7.35 kt | 213° | Underway breadcrumb. | Displacement 3.6 NM from last fix. |
| 2026-10-16 08:38 | 2026-10-16 06:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Mediterranean Sea, en route to Malta | 7.43 kt | 208° | Underway breadcrumb. | 6.8 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel. |
| 2026-10-16 07:38 | 2026-10-16 05:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Mediterranean Sea, en route to Malta | 6.65 kt | 211° | Underway breadcrumb. | 3.1 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel. |
| 2026-10-16 07:08 | 2026-10-16 05:08 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Mediterranean Sea, en route to Malta | 6.26 kt | 212° | Underway breadcrumb. | 2.8 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel. |
| 2026-10-16 06:38 | 2026-10-16 04:38 UTC (observation time (fix carries no timestamp)) | Mediterranean Sea, en route to Malta | 6.38 kt | 216° | Underway breadcrumb. | 3.1 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel. |
| 2026-10-16 06:22 | — | Valletta / Marsamxett, Malta | Planning / arrival intel | — | Destination / town intel: forward-looking. Marina di Valletta in Marsamxett is the practical home-berth arrival: keep VHF 13 and 16 monitored, expect ferry and harbour traffic, and confirm current berthing instructions before the final turn. Ashore, the Valletta bastions, Upper Barrakka, old streets, pastizzi, coffee, provisioning and chandlery are the useful first jobs. | Malta is the grown-up finish: get the harbour approach right, then let the bastions and pastizzi do the morale work. |
| 2026-10-16 06:20 | — | Portopalo → Valletta / Marsamxett | 6.0 kt underway | 217° | Morning passage weather: GO / CAUTION. The live W2K-2 fix has EVERYTHING ZEN underway for Malta, with a daylight Marsamxett arrival estimated around 14:30–15:00 CEST at the current speed. Open-Meteo keeps the early route light, then builds W to WNW with roughly 17–20 kt gusts near Malta and waves rising toward 0.8 m; Malta Met Office gives NW force 5, locally 5–6, by evening. | The crossing is sensible while moving, but arrive before the evening build; no late start, no night-owl heroics. |
| 2026-10-16 06:08 | 2026-10-16 04:08 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Mediterranean Sea, en route to Malta | 5.85 kt | 213° | Underway breadcrumb. | 2.9 NM from last fix; Sicily Channel. |
| 2026-10-16 05:38 | 2026-10-16 03:38 UTC (fix timestamp (RMC)) | Portopalo di Capo Passero, Sicily | 6.08 kt | 211° | Underway; departed Portopalo di Capo Passero, Sicily. | 1.2 NM from stop point; heading SSW for Malta. |
24 position updates + 0 crew/media updates. Movement updates use fresh onboard fixes when available; repeated drift while stopped is not logged.