35:16S 004:14E
Tales of Amok's Adventures
Mike Jones
Wed 24 Feb 2010 03:22
Well I have my eyes skinned keeping a good lookout for the marker buoys delineating 35 degrees south.
They have all gone for a siesta and have instructed me to keep watch for the line of yellow buoys and then turn sharp left for Cape Town.
Arrival and departure to/from Cape Town is not easy in any circumstances, strong currents such as Agulhas current, Benguela current, together with fast moving South Atlantic Highs charging across from Brazil and ducking under the Cape. Making the right approach is all important otherwise you end up in Namibia. Namibia make a very nice draught beer so it wouldn't be all bad.
With the fantastic assistance of Laura's cousin Mike (ex RCMP), who is currently sailing from Cape Town to St Helena, ( we passed each other within 200 miles on the 17th February) we have been introduced to the South African Maritime Mobile Net.
This is a SSB radio network, run by HAM radio enthusiast which gives regular weather forecasts and general guidance as well as keeping a general eye on everyone. We have been overwhelmed by how good this network is
It covers the whole of the South Atlantic from Brazil to Africa, in addition they run another network in the Indian Ocean, very impressive.
Graham and Alistair who run this network has been broadcasting bespoke forecasts for our approach to Cape Town, how good is that.
We are not allowed to speak to him as we are not licensed HAM operators, even though we are fully GMDSS licensed for Maritime frequencies. A HAM license is something we intend to rectify on our return to Perth
Although neither I or Toby or Pandora have met cousin Mike and his wife Doreen, we have just had 10 days of family get together's around the radio at 1900 hrs each day, Laura is so into it she insists on wearing the earphones on a 24 hour basis , just in case - not sure of what.
Anyway Mike and Doreen have been planning to go to St Helena for 26 years and they have just arrived today - congratulations to them and huge thanks for the network advice and family chats.
I guess I will owe him a few beers when he catches up with me, I better start saving as they say the Mounty always gets his man !
Anyway we are making good progress, trucking along at 6.5 knts with 40 miles to go to the 35 degree latitude whence we can turn left for Cape Town and then it is a 800 mile run into Cape Town.
Better go and check for them buoys.
Amok out
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