Refueling at sea for Cheminées Poujoulat
by Vendée Globe media 8 Jan 2013 04:55 PST
8 January 2013
Bernard Stamm on Cheminées Poujouat during the Vendée Globe 2012-2013 © Jean Marie Liot / DPPI / Vendee Globe / Cheminée
So a refueling at sea, via a boat, is supposed to be the solution chosen by Bernard Stamm and his Team Cheminées Poujoulat. This solution is indeed the one that ensures greater safety for the sailor and his monohull, as approaching a port without means of propulsion or navigation data could be dangerous. With less than 5% of fuel remaining onboard, energy is severely rationed, and allows him only one communication per day with his team.
On dry land, operations are organized to respond quickly to his demand. Anyway, the Swiss who is 311 miles away from the Cape Horn, will have to way until he gets there. According to Cheminées Poujoulat's speed and the weather conditions, the refueling area should be reached between Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10. The boat that will provide diesel oil to Bernard Stamm is none other than that of his friend Unai Bazurko, Pakea Bizcaia as he is in Ushuaia for his third environmental expedition.
This support has been proposed since the beginning by the one who used to be Bernard Stamm's opponent on the Velux 5 Oceans. Meanwhile, Bernard Stamm, who said yesterday during a brief communication with his team that he is extremely tired because of the long hours spent at the helm, remains one of the fastest of the fleet.
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