Sailing faster than 60kts, merchant ships heroes again, strange Phocea

Vestas Sail Rocket 2 with skipper Paul Larsen SW

One of the routes long known by cruising sailors to be unpredictable – that between the South Pacific Islands and New Zealand - lived up to its reputation again this week.

AMVER also lived up to its reputation in that a Hong-Kong-flagged merchant ship steamed for a day out of its way to rescue the sailors who had been rolled in an unforecast storm. Then they went further out of their way to rendezvous with a New Zealand Navy vessel to drop off their unexpected visitors. Thank you, volunteer merchant ships of the world, for the many rescues carried out.

While east coast American boaters recover slowly from the massive damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the rest of the boating world is full of change and drama.

Phocea - a roller coaster life story - now strange and stranger © SW

In Namibia Australian Paul Larsen and the Vestas Sailrocket team have cracked their glass ceiling and are sailing amazingly fast – beating 60kts at times. In Germany the winners of the DAME Award for 2012 are celebrating – it's for a new, fast, silent electric outboard that we'll all be wanting on the back of our dinghies soon.

Strangest story of the week is of the oh-so-elegant sailing boat Phocea, who has spent most of her life in the fast-lane, and I am not talking of knots. Read her tumultuous history, not finished yet, as she is still full of mystery intrigue – and maybe skullduggery - today.

If you are anywhere near Europe and feel like an unusual sailing journey with some like minded cruising sailors, this week's featured rally is the Rallye des Iles du Soleil – the itinerary might have you drooling and there's plenty of time to plan!

Much more too, so scan the headlines to find your interest.

Sweet sailing!