Tight navigation in the St. Martin lagoon, gusty winds and very little water under the keel 😨😨

Name: Tight navigation in the St. Martin lagoon, gusty winds and very little water under the keel 😨😨
Uploaded: 2026-05-14T10:10:31.000Z
Duration: 34 min 28 s
Description: The captain of the Bénéteau Océanis 440 Corail navigates gusty 25-knot winds in the shallow Simpson Bay Lagoon.

14. mai 2026 · 34 min · 996 visninger · Saint Martin

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The captain of the Bénéteau Océanis 440 *Corail* navigates the shallow, wind-swept Simpson Bay Lagoon in Saint-Martin while managing a damaged headsail and furling system.0:04 Following a structural failure during an Atlantic crossing, the genoa was shredded and the Facnor LS200 furler bent, necessitating a replacement with a Profurl C430 unit.5:26 The captain monitors depths as low as 2.5 meters using Navionics charts and a calibrated depth sounder, while contending with 20- to 25-knot gusts that complicate maneuvering in tight channels.9:28 After coordinating with local bridge operators, the vessel transits the Simpson Bay bridge under high-wind conditions, requiring precise throttle control and reverse-gear maneuvering to dock safely at a quay near a wreck.21:19 The captain emphasizes the necessity of checking bridge opening schedules and local depth constraints, noting that the lagoon’s shallow draft and gusty conditions demand constant vigilance. Securing a replacement genoa from a salvaged 45-foot vessel remains a logistical challenge due to the upcoming hurricane season.18:59