Cheeki Rafiki, Kudahuvandhoo Island, sea turtles—World Cruising news
by David Schmidt, Sail-World Cruising Editor on 1 May 2015
The Cheeki Rafiki, pictured during Antigua Sailing Week, before it ran into difficulties returning to the UK. MailOnline
Anyone who has spent a rough night at sea knows the feeling of laying in their bunk, just listening for the wrong errant sound…perhaps the rig creaking innocently, perhaps a sail being reefed, or perhaps something much more sinister. And while modern sailboats are far safer than designs of yesteryear, the keel still represents a single point of failure for monohulls-a point that was hammered home to many recreational boaters last year when the Beneteau First 40.7 “Cheeki Rafiki” was found capsized some 720 nautical miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, sans her keel, en route home to the UK after a season of Caribbean racing. Tragically, her entire crew of four sailors were lost.
Now, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has released a 76-page report on the incident. While there was an obvious lack of material evidence and eye witnesses, the report focuses on the fact that photos of the upturned boat revealed a rusty aft keel bolt, which could have triggered the catastrophic failure. Get the full report on the “Cheeki Rafiki” tragedy, inside this issue.
While no one likes to think about things turning south on a dream charter vacation, Sail-World’s Dan Ibsen has written an interesting piece on “enhanced” insurance options that are available from some insurance carriers, including Pantaenius. If you’re contemplating a dream charter or already have one booked, be sure to learn more about how you can help protect this investment.
And for anyone who could use a mental vacation to the South Pacific, be sure to catch up with Neil and Ley Langford of the sailing vessel “Crystal Blues”, who recently visited Kudahuvadhoo Island in the Maldives. “Our second day there was 'National Language Day'-a celebration of local culture that included a special lunchtime meal at the school, with all the food cooked and served by the children's families,” wrote the Langfords. “The children dressed in traditional costumes, instead of the standard all-white uniforms.'
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While cruising and exploring the remote island, the Langfords also got a firsthand look at the island’s attempts at green technology and sustainable energy. “Kudahuvadhoo is home to a pilot project to test PV (solar) power as an augmentation to the existing diesel generation systems,” reported the Langords. “We met Joachim Gaube and Harald Gaube, German engineers who planned and implemented the PV project here. Panels installed on the schools, the power-house and the hospital have produced 44,000 kilowatt hours in two months, saving around 15,000 liters of diesel fuel.”
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Inside, get the Langford’s full report from Kudahuvadhoo Island.
Meanwhile, in environmental-related news, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has announced that Operation Jairo, which is their effort to help save sea turtles, will kick off in three North and Central American regions this summer, including southeastern Florida, Honduras and Costa Rica. Critical sea turtle nesting sites will be patrolled by Sea Shepherd volunteers, with the goal of helping to save six species that are already on the endangered species list.
Operation Jairo is named after Jairo Mora Sandoval, a young environmental activist who was tragically killed on Costa Rica’s Moin Beach fighting to save the leatherback turtles (and their nests) that he loved. Inside this issue, check in with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to learn more about their localized plans for each region, and find information on how you can become involved with the fight to save these majestic sea creatures.
Also inside, get the latest updates on how to properly prepare your personal floatation device for an active season of cruising, check out BoatUS’s informative video on capsize survival, and learn about the dangerous conditions that are plaguing Australia, from the Illawarra Coast to the Macquarie Coast.
May the four winds blow you safely home,
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