Andre M Homem de Mello · video

What this video covers

During a solo voyage across the Indian Ocean, a sailor encounters a severe storm on November 22, recording wind speeds reaching 60 knots.9:59 The vessel experiences significant interior damage, including broken dishware and displaced equipment, while navigating a chaotic, cross-sea state.12:02 The wind vane self-steering system suffers a mechanical failure during the gale, forcing the sailor to hand-steer for several hours and later perform a field repair using epoxy putty.14:44 The autopilot proves unreliable as a backup, complicating the transit.15:25 Throughout the 58-day period, the sailor reports encountering seven squalls and one major storm, maintaining an average speed of 4.3 knots.17:43 During the peak of the storm, the sailor observes bioluminescent plankton in the breaking waves at night.20:57 The sailor manages the vessel under reduced sail, primarily using a genoa, while waiting for weather windows to continue toward Tasmania.14:03 The experience highlights the necessity of a functional wind vane for long-distance solo sailing when electrical systems struggle under heavy conditions.

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