NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: gipsy moth iv
From: Peter Fogg
Date: 2006 Jul 10, 16:12 -0500
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From: Peter Fogg
Date: 2006 Jul 10, 16:12 -0500
coralline algae wrote:
You bet, Coralline - the direct route between Tahiti and the Marquesas. Or, coming the other way, there is a lot of ocean between the Galapagos Islands and the Marquesas, after which most boats crossing the Pacific head for Tahiti before other points to the west.
As you pointed out, the Tuamotuas are and always have been a notorious navigational hazard ; a chain of low-lying (invisible even when relatively close) atols strung out across the route with unpredictable local currents swirling about them.
Which skipper has not bumped the bottom on at least a few occasions? If sailing in an area where the bottom is sand or mud there is often little damage done. If rock and/or coral, on the other hand, it can be a different story ...
With the original post on this subject Frank donated a link leading to quite a few sites, and my guess is that an online search would reveal much more information. You could post a precis of what you find here ..
Since the area is notorious for shipwrecks my first thought is
to ask about the need to be in the area. Is there something about
sailing in the south seas that makes a course through that area
worth the risk?
You bet, Coralline - the direct route between Tahiti and the Marquesas. Or, coming the other way, there is a lot of ocean between the Galapagos Islands and the Marquesas, after which most boats crossing the Pacific head for Tahiti before other points to the west.
I also have to wonder considering the considerable expense of
rebuilding the yacht and the numerous public donations that
a prudent captain would have made every effort to avoid being
in such a position.
As you pointed out, the Tuamotuas are and always have been a notorious navigational hazard ; a chain of low-lying (invisible even when relatively close) atols strung out across the route with unpredictable local currents swirling about them.
I dont mean to imply that I know anything about
such decisions. Since extent of my sailing experience is coastal
day sailing off the southern california coast, I have to plead ignorance.
Which skipper has not bumped the bottom on at least a few occasions? If sailing in an area where the bottom is sand or mud there is often little damage done. If rock and/or coral, on the other hand, it can be a different story ...
But if anyone knows more about how this accident could have
occurred and whether it was more likely because of command
decisions of just fate I would be very interested to hear about it.
With the original post on this subject Frank donated a link leading to quite a few sites, and my guess is that an online search would reveal much more information. You could post a precis of what you find here ..
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To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com
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