2 months in the ocean

Another milestone in Fedor Konyukhov’s rowing expedition aboard “AKROS”. For two months, he has been successfully coping with all the challenges of the harsh Southern Ocean. While the first month and a half Fedor was moving along the course in relatively favorable weather, the past two weeks have been tough for both him and the boat.

In general, if you look at the weather map in the South Atlantic, there are cyclones every week. They originate in the western part (near the coast of South America) and move east towards the Indian Ocean.

The storm on February 3-4 was the most powerful so far and severely battered the boat, but Fedor is determined to continue the expedition. The weather remains stormy and does not allow for a comprehensive inspection of the boat and all compartments. However, from what Fedor has already identified – damage to the Raymarine wind vane, the Echomax active radar reflector, and one of the Iridium satellite phones – these breakdowns certainly complicate the expedition but are not critical.

At 9:00 Moscow time, the coordinates of the boat “AKROS” are 45°01′ south latitude and 14°05′ east longitude.

Only 5 degrees left to the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope and the transition into the Indian Ocean. We truly hope that the Indian Ocean will be more propitious. In total, it has taken just over two months to cross the South Atlantic from the Drake Passage.

A common question: Could Fedor have finished the expedition in South Africa, limiting this season to just the South Atlantic?

Firstly, Fedor set himself the ambitious goal of reaching Australia – crossing two oceans in a one season.

Secondly, reaching South Africa would have required making that decision a month ago, adjusting the route by shifting northward. A rowing boat is neither a yacht nor a motor vessel, gaining 10 degrees of latitude would take at least two or even three weeks of hard work, and only in favorable weather conditions.

So the Indian Ocean is ahead.