Sailing news feeds from round South Africa, the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic.

A survivor from the capsized yacht Queequeg II has been rescued.

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:08:14 +0200

The man that was found off the catamaran Queequeg II is Leo Sherman. He was found clinging to the boat and is hopefully now receiving medical attention. Apparently, divers are going to search the boat more thoroughly. We are still hoping that my dad (Joe Strykowski) and Quen Cultra could be out there on a raft or the dingy - or clinging to something. I feel caught between joy and despair. Having hope but wanting to brace myself against the awful blow that might be coming. One hopeful thing...the rescuers apparently noticed that there were more civilian ships in the area than normal. It makes me feel that, if they are out there, they will be found.
More ....

Father Missing Off Madagascar - catamaran Queequeg II capsized!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:37:21 +0200

Father Missing Off Madagascar from the catamaran Queequeg II - This is all the information I have. I am posting this in hope that someone out there will find him...If you or someone you know is in the area, please help! About 48 hours ago, someone on my father's boat (The Queequeg II) hit "the panic button" sending a distress call. The Embassy of Madagascar sent a search party and 36 hours ago they found the Queegueg II capsized. No bodies were found. The Embassy is planning to send another search party but the cyclones are making it difficult. My sister and i are hoping and praying that he could still be out there. There were three men on the boat and all three are missing.
Full details ....

Indian Ocean Cruising Guide - A free online cruising guide for yachts sailing in the Indian Ocean.

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:40:25 +0200

A free, online Indian Ocean Cruising Guide on the World Cruising Wiki - information on passages, all the Indian Ocean islands and atolls, bordering countries, ports, approaches, marinas and yacht clubs, weather conditions, and much more.
Details ....

2007/2008 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:26:52 +0200

"Durban 2010 and Beyond" Wins 1st Leg - Durban 2010 and Beyond has won the second race of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race from La Rochelle to Salvador da Bahia. Crossing the finish line at 15:45 UTC the South African team have gained the maximum 10 points by winning the first ocean crossing and the result has moved them to the top of the overall leader board from their fifth place position at the end of Race 1.
Latest race updates ....

Sailing from South Africa to Seychelles

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:13:14 +0200

Can anyone out there give me some advice on sailing a motorised cat from Durban to Seychelles? We are almost but not quite complete landlubbers and we will need advice on training, licensing and anything else of importance.
Full discussion ....

Water treatment for water tanks on boats.

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:36:24 +0200

A water purification product for water tanks on boats (in fact any "fresh" water) that is totally effective, odourless, tasteless AND beneficial for your well-being. Aqua Salveo water disinfectant was first and foremostly designed to disinfect contaminated and polluted human drinking water. Therefore, two issues were pertinent. Firstly, Aqua Salveo is needed to demonstrate a killing efficiency with regards to bactaria, fungi and possibly viruses and secondly, as the product is intended for people, it needed to be safe, even when used on a regular basis. Aqua Salveo contains no chlorine or bleaches. AQUA SALVEO IS SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND IS SAFE TO USE AS DIRECTED.
Full details ....

Interesting Analysis Of Piracy In Gulf Of Aden & Red Sea.

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:31:08 +0200

I'm sure I've written in this very forum of our own personal account of staring eye to eye with sea-going desperadoes en route to the Red Sea from Oman. And I'd do it all again just to stand in the gaze of the Sphinx once more.
Full discussion ....

Jacare Yacht Village, Cabedelo (Brazil) - new facility for cruisers.

Thu, 24 May 2007 14:15:03 +0200

Sailing the Coast of Brazil? New East Coast Yachting Centre Announced Phillipe Fessard an experienced French sailor, has opened a new yachting centre at Praia do Jacaré, on the Rio Paraiba behind the port of Cabedelo, close to Joao Pessoa, (World Port Index No. 12710, 6 58’S., 34 50’W.). The buoyed channel to Cabedelo is well marked for either day or night entry, with a least depth of more than 8 meters. It is located on the trade wind trans-ocean, trans-equatorial route from Europe and Africa.
Details ....

Sailing passage plan from Seychelles to Australia.

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:11:41 +0200

Does anyone have information/opinions on sailing from Seychelles,Chagos, Cocos Keeling, Australia (Onslow seems closest to Cocos). This should be 3628 nm altogether. Would it be possible to make this passage now in July?
Full discussion ....

Temporary Removal of Durban's Visitor Jetty

Fri, 1 Jun 2007 11:44:17 +0200

Due to dredging operations taking place in the vicinity of Durban's international/visitors jetty, the jetty has been temporarily removed. One's only option, if sailing in to Durban in the next few weeks, and one hasn't organised a prior walk on mooring, would be to anchor in the Silburn channel.
Details .....

South African crew wanted for Clipper 07-08

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:52:59 +0200

South African crew wanted for Clipper 07-08 to defend national pride! Durban Clipper will be competing again in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race when it sets off from Liverpool, UK, on 16 September this year. This will be the second time Durban Clipper has taken part in the race – having finished on the podium in a very creditable second place in Clipper 05-06. With the exception of the skippers, none of the crews are professional sailors and many of those taking part have never sailed before beginning their comprehensive race training. It is not too late for people from South Africa to sign up to take part in this 35,000-mile ocean race. Durban Clipper was narrowly beaten to second place on her first outing by westernaustralia.com Clipper, so there is a great deal of Southern Hemisphere pride to play for!
Details ....

Inhaca Yacht Race 2007.

Wed, 4 Apr 2007 16:54:09 +0200

The Inhaca yacht race starts on the 6th April from Inhaca Island (Mozambique), ending in Richards Bay, South Africa - a distance of approximately 220 nautical miles.
Details ....

Warning - exceptionally high tides expected.

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 17:42:27 +0200

This is an "early Warning" to keep an eye on your yacht that is on a walk on or chain mooring over the period of the 18th to 20th March as exceptionally high spring tides are expected over this period.
Details ....

A new marina for sailing yachts in the Maldives.

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:12:35 +0200

There is a new marina (the only one) in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
Details .....

Seychelles or Maldives?

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:48:34 +0200

Can anyone offer their opinion or experience in cruising either of these places? I understand that both are beautiful but can be pretty expensive. My wife and I are looking for somewhere to sit out a change of seasons between Sept and Jan before heading up the Red Sea in time for a Med spring/summer (during our Indian Ocean crossing from Oz).
Discussion .....

Sailing crew wanted for June 2007 from Cape Town to Tahiti.

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 20:32:09 +0200

Looking for two sailing crew members for delivery of new 43 foot sailing catamaran on delivery from Cape Town, South Africa to Tahiti via the Panama Canal. THIS IS NOT A PAID POSITION but all food is supplied and NO contribution to expenses is required or wanted. Departure is mid June 2007 and the voyage takes approximately 3 months.
Details ........

Cruising the Indian Ocean - Yacht Seerose.

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:34:14 +0200

A narrative about Yacht Seerose sailing in the Indian Ocean - from Durban, South Africa to SE Asia.
Narrative ......

Sailing crew wanted - Cape Town to Florida USA - Feb 2007

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:34:06 +0200

Depart Cape Town around February 2007, to St Helena, Caribbean, West Palm Beach FL. (This is the first leg - we will continue through Panama and back to Cape Town via Australia etc.)
Details....

Two new sailing and cruising marine ebooks available for download.

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 12:11:41 +0200

"Southern Indian Ocean Crossing Notes - Sailing East to West and West to East" by Tony Herrick and "Cruising the Islands & Atolls of the Mozambigue Channel" by Tony Herrick as well as the free ebook "Welcome to Durban - A Sailor's Guide" - to assist sailors to make safe landfall in South Africa - updated Dec '06.
Details.......

Indian Ocean sailing news feed - now to your cell phone

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 12:26:27 +0200

The Indian Ocean Sailing News Feed is now available for download (data) on your mobile phone - data download is a fraction of the cost of SMS.
Details......

Shortage of Visitors Moorings in the Cape.

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:24:54 +0200

There are no visitors moorings available from now until well into January for sailing yachts.
Details ...

Yacht Moquini tragedy, official finding.

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 16:31:30 +0200

The sailing yacht Moquini which went missing during the Mauritius to Durban yacht race a year ago and lost all crew has been examined and the official report has been announced.
Full story.....

Sailing west across the Indian Ocean from Australia?

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:33:59 +0200

Tony Herrick has published two new marine ebooks covering the sailing passage across the Indian Ocean. 1) "Indian Ocean Crossing Notes - East to West and West to East". 2) "Cruising the Islands & Atolls of the Mozambigue Channel" And of course his ebook "Welcome to Durban - A Sailor's Guide" - to assist sailors to make safe landfall in South Africa.
Details ......

Anti mosquito arm bands

Sun, 8 Oct 2006 22:41:44 +0200

New anti mosquito/insect arm bands which are safe for children and safe around foodstuffs to combat Malaria infection.....
Details

This new product has proved an effective way to repel mosquito's (and insects) and reduce the probability of getting mosquito borne diseases.

The product is an excellent NON-TOXIC device, using only naturally occurring herbs and spices — Pine, Lavender and Mint Oil fragrance concentrate.

Contains no DEET - N, N-diethyl-methylbenzamide (formally known as N, N-diethyl toluamide) extract of any kind.

Due to its non-toxicity it is perfectly safe for children of all ages and safe around food products.

Currently it is widely used in West Africa (Guinea), Asia and the Pacific Rim.

Lasts greater than 120 hours when exposed to air, but can be resealed to prolong useful life.

Waterproof, easy to use, 1-size fits all.

Chagos - bad news for cruisers sailing in the Indian Ocean.

Thu, 9 Nov 2006 11:35:43 +0200

Effective 1st Jan 07 the rent will be Pounds Sterling 500 per month, (approx $ 900!), payable in advance for sailing yachts wishing to stop at Chagos in the Indian Ocean!
Full details....

New Brazil extended visas for sailors

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:05:41 +0200

Sailors can now obtain a 5 year multiple re-entry visa for Brazil from the Brazilian Embassy ....
Full details.

Seasickness?

Mon, 6 Nov 2006 20:08:44 +0200

Use the original Sea-Band for seasickness while out sailing - The Sea-Band has been clinically tested against nausea and vomiting in travel, helping combat seasickness. It's also been proven to be effective in pregnancy, anaesthesia, chemotherapy and all conditions which induce nausea.
Details.....

Are cockroaches sailing aboard your yacht?

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:34:36 +0200

The well known and trusted 'Keel Over' pads are now available from Cruising Connections, and can be posted/shipped to any destination around the world.
Details.....

Temporary closure of Durban Port

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:40:23 +0200

As a prelude to planning for for the widening of the Durban Port Entrance Channel, it is necessary to close the channel to undertake geotechnical drilling. We have been advised that the port closure for geotechnical drilling to be carried out have been scheduled on the following dates, weather permitting: 14th/15th of October
21st/22nd of October
28th/29th of October
Details.........

New free sailing crewfinder.

Sun, 9 Oct 2005 16:34:17 +0200

[Link] A new free sailing crewfinder board for "crew wanted" and "crew looking for positions" in the Indian Ocean and Atlantic regions has been established on the Cruising Connections forum boards.
Click link for details.

Yacht Moquini search by French Navy

Sat, 8 Oct 2005 11:09:17 +0200

[Link] A French naval vessel en-route Reunion, to Cape Town conducted an extensive search of the area where sailing yacht MOQUINI was last reported.......
Click link for details.

Another free sailing ebook available for download.

Tue, 4 Oct 2005 20:42:13 +0200

[Link] Another FREE ebook has been added to the list of sailing, cruising and general boating ebooks at "Cruising Connections". The "Cruisers' Dictionary" by JeanneP is an extremely useful publication of "tips & hints" for EVERY ocean cruiser as well as all those intending to go off cruising.
Click link for full details.