Sailing La Vagabondevideo
Dramas onboard, in the Middle of the Pacific Ocean Ep. 43 (Sailing La Vagabonde)
June 20, 2016 · 13 min · 514K views · Pacific Ocean
What this video covers
During a Pacific crossing from the Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands, the crew of the 45-ft catamaran La Vagabonde faces multiple equipment failures and injuries. Moisture ingress causes the autopilot controller to malfunction, forcing the three-person crew to hand-steer around the clock.5:09 An initial attempt to dry the unit with a hairdryer provides only temporary relief, necessitating continuous manual helming for several days.10:25 During a wind gust, a crew member sustains a severe rope burn while handling the gennaker lines.4:11 The crew manages the situation by rotating shifts and using music and podcasts to maintain morale during the extended hand-steering period.10:29 The vessel also experiences challenges with sail handling in the unpredictable winds of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.3:11 The experience highlights the physical toll of manual steering on a small crew and the necessity of redundant systems for long-distance passages.
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