We are publishing the messages Fedor Konyukhov sent today via Iridium Go. The messages arrive with delays and in short, one or two-sentence updates.
“I’m alive, the boat held up. The waves are massive. They are destructive. I can’t go out on deck yet to see how damaged the boat is.”
“Over the past 24 hours, I’ve capsized over the side about 15 times and over the bow 8 times. I’ve seen a lot in my life, but when a boat lies upside down for a few seconds before another wave arrives, it’s terrifying.”
“The waves are slamming the boat, but it feels like the ocean is starting to calm down. The Raymarine wind index is torn off, I can’t see the wind direction. The spare one is in the bow compartment, but I can’t reach it now.”
Note: The AKROS boat has a radar arch, that houses antennas for two satellite phones, a VHF radio, an AIS system, and two sockets for wind index (one primary, one spare).
The peak of the storm has passed. We are waiting for detailed report from Fedor Konyukhov on the damage and any equipment failures. After that, we can decide on the next steps of the project.
Coordinates: 45°22′ south latitude, 11°47′ east longitude.
The route map is here.