Entry Date: 22.10.2023, at 13:00:00 hrs (local)
Mayotte - Richards Bay
Challenging Passage
PRID: | 12841 |
---|---|
LegID: | 350 |
LegNo: | 95 |
Latitude: | S013°18.02' |
Longitude: | E045°17.42' |
Day#: | 1437 |
Log (Day): | 27 nm |
Log (Leg): | 32 nm |
Log (Total): | 72528 nm |
Covered distance: 27 nautical miles
Distance to destination: 1273 nautical miles
Weather: 12kn NNE wind, little waves, sunny, 35 degree Celsius
Mood of the crew: tense
We are on the way to South Africa. Like in the last attempt we left the Mayotte lagoon through the Bandrele Pass.
This passage through the Mozambique Channel needs to be treated with high respect. Reports from cruisers who did this before are reminding us: It could get very ruff. This waterway along the East African coast is considered by many ocean sailors as the most technically challenging part of their circumnavigation.
As strongly suggested by our weather router Des from South Africa, we are choosing a route that passes very close by those few locations where we could find shelter or just wait for better weather. The first of those few locations is the Baly Bay in Madagascar. Currently we are steering a course directly in to this bay. Whether we will really anchor in this bay or whether we keep sailing, we will only decide shortly before arriving there based on the latest updates on the weather forecast and on Des´s recommendation.
Currently the Channel of Mozambique presents itself very peaceful. In very light, 12kn wind, SuAn is sailing in almost flat water with 4 kn on a southerly course.