SDA259 New Fear Unlocked
We had no idea a bull shark might actually bite a moving dinghy until one did it right beside the anchorage we were heading for.
We stop at Staniel Cay to top up the fuel, where we spend about an hour waiting for a centre console to take on roughly 600 gallons. Then a big catamaran heads in ahead of us. By comparison, we’re at the dock for only 15 or 20 minutes, taking on 30 gallons of diesel per side and some gasoline for the generator and dinghy.
With the tanks topped up, we continue to Big Majors.
That’s when we hear about an 8–10 foot bull shark biting a RIB while it was running through the cut between Big Majors and Fowl Cay. The people aboard had to be rescued by the resort on Fowl Cay.
We’ve spent a lot of time in dinghies around the Bahamas. It had honestly never occurred to us that a shark might bite one while it was moving.
New fear unlocked.
So when it’s time to dive the anchor, Captain Dave comes down with me. The water is murkier than I’d like, visibility is poor, and knowing what happened just around the corner is not especially comforting.
We also head back to Staniel Cay for provisions, which leads to one of those very boat-specific jobs that looks nothing like unloading groceries at home. Every bag has to be broken down, reorganized, and squeezed into whatever space we can find aboard Dark Angel.
Cruising Staniel Cay and Big Majors in the Exumas, topping up fuel, diving the anchor in low visibility, provisioning the boat, and discovering a completely new reason to think about sharks around the dinghy.
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🌊 Sailing Dark Angel follows our real-life journey sailing the Caribbean aboard our Island Spirit catamaran, sharing the challenges, adventures, and everyday moments of liveaboard sailing life.
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Without a Crew, a Ship Has No Direction.
Join the crew on Patreon:
https://www.sailingdarkangel.com/Fleet
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Lisa's personal blog is being added now.
🍻 Like what you see? You can even buy us a beer.
Business inquiries:
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📰 Featured in sailing media
Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine
🍹 Rum tasting article
https://digitalmagazine.latsatts.com/sailingdarkangel-5456
🌊 Bahamas snorkeling article
https://summer2023.latsatts.com/theresthisplace#a_aid=640782a615fd9&a_bid=0e47bed1
Pussfoot Magazine
https://www.pussfoot.com/blogs/water/sailing-dark-angel-sailing-and-slow-cooked-ribs
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🍹 The Dark Angel Cocktail
We created our own signature drink, the “Dark Angel,” which placed 3rd in a Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine contest.
If you’d like to try one yourself or order one at your favorite watering hole, here’s the recipe:
Kraken Spiced Rum
Ginger Beer
Muddled Mint
Slice of Lime
If you try it, let us know what you think!
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⚓ Marine Electronics Support
We trust Sea-Tech Systems for expert marine electronics advice and support aboard Dark Angel.
If you're planning upgrades or troubleshooting onboard systems, these are the guys we rely on.
https://seatech.systems/
See how they helped us:
https://seatech.systems/2022/02/16/sailing-dark-angel-tests-sea-techs-marine-electronics-advisor-service/
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🎒 Gear we trust
We take our Ugowear waterproof bags EVERYWHERE.
Amazing company, amazing gear.
Affiliate link:
https://ugowear.com?aff=34
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🛠 Help keep Dark Angel sailing
Amazon Wishlist
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KYJVC8ZWGHY2
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👕 Dark Angel & Be Nauti Swag
https://spoiledbratdesigns.com/product-category/sailing-dark-angel-clothing-and-accessories/
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📱 Follow the journey
Facebook
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X
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🎶 Opening and closing song
“Who We Are” by Miah
From the band NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN
Miah generously allowed us to use this song on the channel from the very beginning, and we've loved it ever since.
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WaNVPlzMwFn7WCVT3gVcJ
https://nineteeneightyseven.com
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Lisa & Dave
Sailing Dark Angel
© Sailing Dark Angel 2026
