Sailing Triteia · video

What this video covers

James departs Phuket solo aboard the 61-year-old Alberg 30 sloop Triteia, bound for the Maldives on a 1,500-nautical-mile passage across the Bay of Bengal and into the Indian Ocean — his first proper ocean crossing in two years and his first-ever passage in the Indian Ocean.0:23

Leaving late in the season, he faces forecast light winds followed by 500–700 miles of headwinds, plus extreme shipping and fishing traffic density.4:27 Between Phuket and the Andaman Islands, counter-currents against the Malacca Strait outflow create irregular current bands that slow the boat from five knots to 3.5; he reads about the phenomenon in the Indian Ocean Compendium downloaded from the soggy paws website.6:43 His solo watch strategy through the Nicobar Islands is one-hour sleep increments with AIS running continuously; he spots 12 vessels in one night, only two on AIS, plus a FAD two boat-lengths away in the dark.9:59 The engine quits mid-passage — a fuel blockage requiring him to blow and suck the fuel line clear and replace the fuel filter — leaving him with roughly two five-gallon jerry cans for 1,200 miles remaining.32:16 He considers an emergency fuel stop in Sri Lanka.37:38 A new Raleigh Tasker spinnaker, remade after the original proved too large and heavy, keeps Triteia moving in four-knot air.51:58 Floating debris — a tree longer than the boat and a large unidentified object with violent motion — poses a hazard overnight.16:53 Departing late in the Indian Ocean season forces constant fuel rationing and contingency planning when the engine becomes unreliable.

Boats in this video

More from Sailing Triteia

Exploring LA DIGUE Island, Sailing Back to Mahe and Saying Goodbye to VictoriaSept 2026Seeing the World Famous Giant Tortoises of the Seychelles!Sept 2026Sailing To The Beautiful Praslin Island in the Seychelles 🏝️Sept 2026Victoria Arrives to Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles and We Sail to Silhouette IslandAug 2026

From Sailing Triteia — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.