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Visiting a SUNKEN ISLAND in the Middle of the Ocean! (Sailing Across the Pacific)
March 9, 2025 · 20 min · 28K views · Kingdom of Tonga
What this video covers
The 37-ft Swan Elixir prepares for a 1,000-mile passage from Tonga to New Zealand, transitioning from tropical trade winds into the variable weather of the horse latitudes. To manage potential leaks and colder temperatures, the crew seals deck fittings with Sikaflex and constructs makeshift ponchos from sail bags.3:45 Two and a half days into the voyage, the boat stops at Minerva Reef, a submerged atoll located hundreds of miles from land.6:58 The reef provides a protected anchorage from ocean swell, though it offers no shelter from wind.7:26 The crew uses the stop to free dive for lobster, employing a two-person technique of flushing the crustaceans from rock crevices with a spear before grabbing them by hand.13:13 The anchorage hosts a social community of cruisers who coordinate via VHF channel 17, organizing potlucks and group activities.10:25 Minerva Reef serves as a strategic waypoint for yachts to rest and wait for favorable weather windows before completing the final 800-mile leg to New Zealand.7:22
Boats in this video
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