Amistad left her birth in London Docklands in the morning today - after sailing through the locks Captain Stephen Olson must coordinate many factors to ensure a smooth passage down the river Thames, through the Dover Strait , English Channel and across the infamous Biscay Bay. The weather was not cooperating lately resulting with a three day delay in departing London.

Today - a short window of opportunity appeared on the weather chart.

English Coastal waters are the area of very strong tidal currents - in some instances the speed of a current may almost match the Amistad's speed under full power. After assessing all the variables Captain Olson predicts reaching the Dover Strait - the narrowest part of the English Channel around 8 p.m. local time. (3 p.m. EDT).

According to recent forecasts and weather observations the wind will still blow straight into Amistad's bow but not with a force able to stop her. In the times like the ship's engineer Barry Antel makes sure that two Caterpillar engines deliver a few hundred mechanical horses pushing the Freedom Schooner closer to her next target - Lisbon.

Barry Antel - Amistad's engineer during Leg 2 of the Atlantic Freedom Tour.  Photo ©2007 Wojtek (Voytec) Wacowski

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