Until recently it was our intention to cross the Indian Ocean to South Africa in 2012. We never intended to take the Red Sea route back to Europe but, if we had, we would now be reconsidering the decision, as are many other yachts.
Favourable conditions in the north Indian Ocean are found in January to March. The cyclone season in the southern Indian Ocean lasts until May, after which conditions become favourable. In the past yachts have been able to wait out this gap in the Chagos Archipelago.
Unfortunately the UK Government has introduced new rules for 2011 which limit stays in Chagos to 28 days, which does not allow sufficient time for the weather systems to change so Chagos becomes impracticable as a stopping point.
An alternative is to sail back down the Malacca Strait to Singapore and then through Indonesia to the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java, thence to Rodriguez or Mauritius and on to South Africa. While this route is not much further in terms of overall distance it involves a 3000 nautical mile passage in rough conditions - strong SE trade winds and a SW swell out of the southern ocean. This is a most unattractive prospect.
The Project Director has ruled out the northern Pacific Circuit route, despite the prospect of wintering in Vancouver or Seattle and getting some serious skiing in. Having looked at it the Skipper is not in disagreement with this executive decision.
We have not even considered the Cape Horn route, even though it would mean revisiting New Zealand.
At present, unless the Chagos situation improves, Sea Bunny is residing in Malaysia/Thailand.
Action we have taken to try to get the UK Government to reconsider the Chagos regulations is on our website. Other yachties who are in a similar situation to ours may like to consider taking similar action.
Favourable conditions in the north Indian Ocean are found in January to March. The cyclone season in the southern Indian Ocean lasts until May, after which conditions become favourable. In the past yachts have been able to wait out this gap in the Chagos Archipelago.
Unfortunately the UK Government has introduced new rules for 2011 which limit stays in Chagos to 28 days, which does not allow sufficient time for the weather systems to change so Chagos becomes impracticable as a stopping point.
An alternative is to sail back down the Malacca Strait to Singapore and then through Indonesia to the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java, thence to Rodriguez or Mauritius and on to South Africa. While this route is not much further in terms of overall distance it involves a 3000 nautical mile passage in rough conditions - strong SE trade winds and a SW swell out of the southern ocean. This is a most unattractive prospect.
The Project Director has ruled out the northern Pacific Circuit route, despite the prospect of wintering in Vancouver or Seattle and getting some serious skiing in. Having looked at it the Skipper is not in disagreement with this executive decision.
We have not even considered the Cape Horn route, even though it would mean revisiting New Zealand.
At present, unless the Chagos situation improves, Sea Bunny is residing in Malaysia/Thailand.
Action we have taken to try to get the UK Government to reconsider the Chagos regulations is on our website. Other yachties who are in a similar situation to ours may like to consider taking similar action.
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