Stella Overboardvideo
Our FIRST Crossing Was WAY More Intense Than Expected
4 April 2026 · 24 min · 18K views · Sabang, Indonesia
Camille steers the sailboat across open ocean, smiling.
What this video covers
Camille Milligan and Jesse complete their first offshore crossing aboard Stella, a 39-foot sailboat, sailing from Ribok Marina to Sabang, Indonesia — a passage of roughly three days through the Malacca Strait. Departing with 10 knots of wind and full sail, they reef the mainsail before dark in anticipation of 20-knot northeasterlies and run alternating night watches of roughly four hours each.▶ 5:23 The Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes with an estimated 250 vessels per day, dominates the passage: AIS and Navionics track container ships up to 361 meters long, and two unlit fishing boats appear without AIS signals on night two, briefly raising piracy concerns.▶ 9:23 Starlink drops out beyond coastal range, leaving them without any outside communication.▶ 7:06 Wind is inconsistent throughout — mostly 6–14 knots with long lulls requiring motoring — and a multi-directional squall hits on day three with rapidly shifting wind.▶ 16:23 On approach to Sabang, the engine sputters from a suspected air bubble in the fuel line; they bleed the system, sail in, and anchor successfully.▶ 22:33 Indonesian customs officials are expected to board the following day for formal clearance.▶ 24:01 Eight months before the crossing, Camille had no sailing experience.▶ 21:00
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