WEsail · video

What this video covers

Navigating the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia requires specialized techniques to avoid coral heads, known as bommies, which rise abruptly from the lagoon floor to the surface.18:20 Because standard electronic charts often fail to accurately mark these hazards, the crew uses OpenCPN to overlay satellite imagery onto their navigation software.19:07 This method allows them to plot safe tracks through the lagoons, though they emphasize that visual navigation remains essential, as sun angle and glare can render coral invisible even in clear water.21:23 When anchoring in these atolls, the crew protects the coral and their chain by attaching pearl floats at 10-foot intervals, a process known as floating the chain.10:37 They also dive on their anchor after every drop to ensure it is set in sand rather than on coral.6:04 The crew notes that these precautions are critical for both boat safety and environmental preservation, particularly during high-wind events like Maramu squalls.

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