Hugh Robertson Sailing · video

What this video covers

Chesterfield Reef, a remote territory of New Caledonia located between Vanuatu and Australia, offers protected anchorages and extensive sand cays for cruising vessels.0:06 A 38-ft sailboat approached the reef system from the northeast on a broad reach, motor-sailing upwind into the lagoon to anchor on the sheltered eastern side in 15 feet of water among coral heads.2:30 The reef features numerous vegetated islands and sandbars, with navigation through the reef passages facilitated by satellite imagery overlays on an anchor alarm app.12:00 While the eastern side provided shelter, the western side proved rolly due to swell penetration.5:19 The southern tip of the reef, known as Illot du Passage, contains navigational infrastructure, including towers and a cardinal marker for a sunken wreck.10:26 Departing the reef for Bundaberg, Queensland, the vessel navigated a pass against an incoming current, maintaining speeds between two and five knots while keeping clear of shallow coral heads.13:17 The reef supports significant bird populations, including masked boobies, red-footed boobies, and noddies.9:16

Boats in this video

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