Week 7—April 26, 2003
By Rich Wilson, Skipper of Great American II
The
Agulhas Current runs strongly south down the east coast of Africa, wraps
around the southeast corner and heads west along the 300-mile southern coast.
At the Agulhas Bank, a shallow area extending 100 miles south of Cape of
Good Hope, the current swerves south around the Bank. A strong current running
into a strong wind, common for this area, can create seas that are huge
and deadly. Such conditions have been known to break large ships in half,
and we knew we might run into them. Our weather forecasts showed that a cold front was approaching with strong west winds. These winds could create havoc in the Current, the Bank, or both. We had to decide which place would minimize the risk to Great American II. To make this decision, we used current weather analyses, satellite pictures, practical at-sea experience from a knowledgeable merchant mariner, and advice from local South African sailors. We also used our knowledge of Great American II’s sailing characteristics and our skills.
We decided to exit the main body of the Current and cut across the Bank, hoping to get around the corner and head north into the Atlantic before the strong wind arrived. This choice, if it worked, would also cut off some of the miles on our route. Of course, we knew that if we made the wrong choice, we could be in for some dangerous seas.
Although the winds arrived early, and the seas on the Bank did build up quite high, we eventually reached the Atlantic with an intact vessel and crew. It was a good decision-making process and a good decision.