[password] caesar
[position] 22 55.8s 177 44.8e
[status] This is being sent with my updated 1800 report as propagation was bad this morning.

It's 0500 26 Oct. Last night went through front. Had rain with wind speed in low 20's with a few gusts to 27kts and direction E so were able to sail on beam reach. As front passed, wind backed to ENE. Our course at time was 194T so was able to get some good sailing in. But lasted only a couple of hours when wind died to 5-7kts and the motor went back on. Now wind is 5kts from S, right in on our nose. 100% cloud cover, calm sea with 1.5 long N swell. Still motoring. Current course is still 194T, speed 5.6kts. While comfortable, we can't keep motoring due to fuel limitation issue. Started with slightly ov3r 5 days, have used close to 2 days, and still have about 4-5 days before arriving NZ.

Other issue of note last night was right at start of front. A Chinese fishing vessel came within 1.5nm passing in opposite direction. Tried calling it, but no answer. Shortly thereafter it turned off its AIS. But knew it was a Chinese fishing vessel because of the name, it's size, turned off AIS upon being hailed, and that the AIS vessel description was "Pleasure Craft". Chinese fishing vessels are now using that description on their AIS. This is 3rd one we've run into this season using the same ruse. Other two were in daylight where I got good look at them. They definitely were not "pleasure craft".

It was a tiring night with tending the boat in the front. So will get some sleep now.

Cheers, John & Leilani
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