NO TURNING BACK
16 May 2025 · 18 min · 69K views
What this video covers
Barry Perrins prepares for a 2,500-nautical-mile solo passage across the Indian Ocean from the Cocos Keeling Islands to Rodrigues. Before departing, he completes final boat maintenance, including electrical wiring repairs using duct tape and laundry chores at Direction Island. He clears customs with local authorities two days before his planned departure to account for weekend scheduling. Upon weighing anchor, he navigates carefully to avoid a nearby reef and shallow water, noting the psychological shift from the safety of the anchorage to the isolation of the open ocean. The initial leg of the journey involves rough, bouncy conditions and heavy swells, requiring the use of washboards and foul-weather gear. He maintains a speed of approximately six knots under sail, despite experiencing a temporary jam in the foresail. The passage marks a commitment to a long-distance route that includes future legs toward La Reunion and South Africa.
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