At 0435, the chief mate saw two small boats on radar, changed course and moved off. They could have been fishing, but who knows? This isn't usually a fishing area, so best to play it safe.
This afternoon, I am the victim of a practical joke. Wandering onto the bridge, with the watchmen chatting and second mate busy with charts, I say hello and glance at the radar screens. Click on picture.
'Pirate'. Pirate?! "Pirate!" I say, my voice jumping a few decibels. Everyone sniggers. The wretches had mislabeled the innocent cargo ship below in hopes of catching out another member of the crew. I hardly think pirates have AIS - Automatic Identification System - to announce themselves, but I can be very gullible.
Other chitchat: a notice reminds crew all porn should be stashed away before arriving in that pillar of taste, restraint and respectability (my words), Dubai.
