The Torres Striat

Date & Time 17-12-2011  0000hrs

Position:- 09* 23’ S  143* 35.7 E

Course:- 236*

Speed:- 4 Knots

Wind:- NE 2 Knots (Force 1 Light Air)

Sea State:- Smooth (1 to 2 feet)

Weather:- Partly Cloudy (30% cloud)

Temp 78.5F

(Wind Sea & Weather are all taken from the Beaufort notation to indicate the given conditions)

Distance to go:- 2622 nautical miles

We are 4 miles nort of Stephen Island and 17 miles west north west of Darnley Island:- more info on them here.

http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about/publicationsarticles/research/occasional/Documents/op17/sec3_2.htm

I have just found a great site where I will be able to post up the chart every day of where we are so you can have a wander round and explore and google up the islands as we pas them.

You will be able to mark my position by using the Latitude and Longitude co-ordinates I give you each day. The Latitude is taken from either side of the chart and the Longitude is taken from the top or bottom. Just like plotting a graph.

The Torres Strait is a beautiful yet treacherous stretch of water with hundreds of reefs and strong currents. There is a safe designated charted route and pilotage is compulsory for large vessels. Even in the designated channel the depth is down to 15 meters in places so the big tankers and bulk carriers are unable to use it as a short cut and have to go round the outside of Papua New Guinea.

When you see a chart of this place it is easy to understand why.

We entered the Strait up by Bramble Cay (top left of this chart) and travelled west just north of  Stephen island  We pick up the pilot at 0400 and then follow the course 224* marked on the chart

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/74285.shtml

On the next chart just follow the more southerly route to Prince of Wales Channel and then west to Booby Island .

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/74290.shtml

For more detail of the Prince of Wales channel see here

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/74295.shtml

One can only imagine the number of ships lost her over the years before they had the marvels and accuracy of sat nav, modern well surveyed navigation charts and reliable engines. To have come through here under sail in cumbersome square rigger and with no accurate charts or sophisticated navigation equipment is a feat of incredible seamanship and no doubt a large slice of good fortune.