PIRATES? Everything I SAW and EXPERIENCED in South American waters
1 May 2025 · 16 min · 4K views
What this video covers
Navigating from Cartagena, Colombia, to Aruba requires managing strong headwinds and heavy seas, often necessitating a motor-sailing technique that keeps the wind 15 to 20 degrees off the bow to maintain progress without stalling the sails.5:36 During this passage, the author faced significant security risks while seeking shelter along the Colombian coast. In Taganga Bay, local men boarded the boat uninvited, forcing the author to negotiate for safety by offering whisky and displaying charts to deter theft.8:52 A subsequent stop at an unnamed anchorage resulted in the theft of a spare anchor, which was cut from the bow during the night.12:37 Finally, the author sought refuge at Puerto Bolívar, a private coal export terminal, where he secured permission to moor alongside a tugboat before relocating to a quay.13:35 The transit concludes by rounding Punta Gallinas, which allows for a more favourable point of sail toward Aruba.11:10 Maintaining situational awareness and managing fuel consumption remain critical when navigating against prevailing winds and currents in these waters.
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