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Trouble at Sea? Sailing Past Russia | Sailing Florence in the Baltic Ep.239
September 4, 2026 · 32 min · 35K views · Kaliningrad
What this video covers
The crew of the 38-ft sloop *Florence* transited 120 miles from Poland to Lithuania across the Baltic Sea, maintaining a 12-mile offshore distance to avoid Russian territorial waters while passing the Kaliningrad enclave.2:34 During the overnight passage, the crew monitored radar for non-AIS vessels and potential GPS spoofing, a phenomenon they previously encountered near the Hel peninsula.10:21 A Russian warship approached within 1.5 miles of the vessel before turning away.19:18 While sailing, a deck-mounted block at the base of the mast failed, damaging the mainsheet; the crew replaced the block and line using onboard spares while underway by securing the boom with a temporary vang and tackle.14:49 Upon arrival in Klaipeda, Lithuania, the crew explored the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring extensive pine forests and sand dunes.22:00 The passage confirmed that maintaining a radar watch and having redundant navigation plans are essential when transiting near areas with active military presence and potential electronic interference.
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