80 days in the ocean - Fedor Konyukhov

80 days in the ocean

23 February 2025

The AKROS boat continues to move steadily eastward. The further away from Africa, the better the weather, according to the forecast for 4-5 days should be without storms.

Passing South Africa was a tough challenge for Fedor Konyukhov. The southern tip of the African continent, as a breakwater, strongly influences and shapes the weather in this region.

The name Cape of Good Hope should not be misleading, as we could observe – the weather here is extremely difficult, a region where at least three major weather systems collide: Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Southern Ocean (winds from Antarctica). No wonder the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias originally named it the “Cape of Storms” in 1488.

So far, we have not been able to communicate with Fedor Konyukhov by voice, only SMS via the By Sky satellite messenger. The stationary antennas of satellite phones are most likely damaged as a result of numerous capsizes. Despite the fact that the antennas are marine-type, they are not designed to be submerged. The handheld satellite phone inside the cabin is still functional, but calling requires stepping outside – and it’s pouring rain.

Fedor sends short messages:

“February 23. Coordinates: 44°07′ south latitude and 33°00′ east longitude. Today marks 80 days in the ocean, but I feel like it’s been a year. Here, one day lasts like three, especially during storms.”

“The wind is dying down. The sky is covered with dense clouds. Yesterday was raining nonstop and this morning – cold, dense fog. It’s damp in the cabin and the deck is wet. Poor visibility.” (Fog this far from coast means a collision of warm and cold currents).

“The main desalination plant is failing, working intermittently. I have a manual backup, but it is not as efficient.”

“February 21 was the feast day of Saint Theodore Stratelates – my patron saint.”

“Four degrees to the Prince Edward Islands. I will pass them from the north, as planned.”

The boat is approaching a major milestone – the halfway point.

As of February 23, 2025, Fedor has covered 6,562 km in a straight line. 7,000 km to go to Albany (Australia).

 

The route map is here.

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