0200hrs 28 July 2003 UTC: 00S30, 175W21

Heading 223T, speed 5.5kts, wind 0kts, swell NE1m, seatemp 25.3C. King Neptune sends his regards forthis our 5th crossing of the Equator. Celebrations were somewhat restrained being held under a superheated, humid clear blue sky as we motor endlessly towards the horizon on a glassy rolling sea. Mysterious reefs 80nm ahead then 500nm to Tuvalu. Diary updates are accumulating as contact with Wnlink stations becomes more difficult in no-man's land.