SailingAlone · video

What this video covers

Dunkeln sails the 37-year-old vessel Raikia to the remote Herald Cays in the Coral Sea, navigating through the complex reefs and shifting currents of the Great Barrier Reef.2:23 The voyage begins with multiple equipment failures: a broken anchor windlass motor, a snapped hydraulic steering belt, and a failed solar and wind battery controller.0:17 To manage the anchor without a functional windlass, the crew rigs a temporary system using a line led to a sheet winch, requiring manual chain retrieval.0:57 The steering failure forces reliance on an interior helm with limited visibility.1:45 Upon reaching the Herald Cays, the crew attempts solo diving and snorkeling to document the reef, despite challenges with buoyancy due to mismatched dive weights and strong currents.7:15 A nighttime anchor drag incident near a reef necessitates an emergency repositioning.8:31 The trip concludes with drone photography of the islands and observation of local bird colonies, including frigatebirds and boobies.12:09 Improvisation and redundant systems are essential for solo offshore sailing when critical gear fails far from repair facilities.

More from SailingAlone

6,000 km alone across the Indian Ocean – 28 days of blue water. From Christmas Island to La Réunion.Sep 20266000 km Alone Across the Indian Ocean – 28 Days of Ocean Sailing. Christmas Island to La Reunion.Sep 2026Birds, Crabs & Oil Pressure Crisis. Sailing 1500 Miles from Australia to Christmas IslandAug 2026Birds, Crabs & Oil Pump in Distress. 3000 Kilometers from Australia to Christmas IslandAug 2026

From SailingAlone — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed 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.