Uru Expedition ⛵️ Peru-Polynesia on a totora reed raft - Eric Frattini
23 May 2025 · 41 min · 9K views · Drake Passage
What this video covers
In 1988, a five-man crew led by Kitín Muñoz attempted a trans-Pacific crossing from Callao, Peru, to Polynesia aboard the *Uru*, a 20-meter, 20-ton reed raft constructed from Totora reeds harvested at Lake Titicaca.2:19 The expedition aimed to test theories regarding ancient migration patterns by sailing a vessel modeled after 200 AD designs, utilizing only traditional materials like vegetable-fiber cordage and wooden blocks instead of modern pulleys.2:56 The raft lacked a keel, resulting in a "cork" motion that relied on ocean currents for propulsion at a top speed of one knot.3:08 The crew faced severe logistical failures, including inadequate water storage in untreated plastic bottles, a lack of safety equipment like life rafts, and the absence of an anchor, which was left behind in Lima.15:35 After four months and 22 days at sea, the crew encountered the tail end of a storm near Rangiroa and required a tow from a French naval vessel to reach Tahiti.3:43 The expedition proved that while such a crossing is possible, the lack of modern safety, navigation, and water-treatment protocols created extreme physical hardship.
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