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| The Atlantic... |
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It’s the crossing of the Atlantic on our outrigger canoe MICROMEGAS 3 without the help of any navigation instruments, which means no compass, no watches or any maps or documents. (obviously no radio, motor or sextant)
To our knowledge, this experience even more basic than that of ‘Thor Heyerdals’ Kon-Tiki (who had instruments, radio and at the same time was scientific and sportive) in modern times has never been realised and put us into ancient navigation history. |
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It was after finishing our very long voyage from France to Miami (11 000 Km, in 1996) on our 4 meter sailing boat that we decided to live another maritime adventure. A unique adventure, something that had never been done before. For this reason, in our modern times of advanced technologies we thought of an antique voyage, even archaique because we have always had admiration for yesteryear’s navigators. So we thought of a Pacific inspired voyage. The Pacific, that gigantic liquid desert that we all know was conquered at the beginning of our era, around the 5th century by the Maoris, without any modern navigation instruments, in particular, compass, watch or maps. Although many theories have been advanced, experimentation has been almost inexistent. Our aim is to acquire more comprehension of this type of navigation to finally resolve this enigma.
The aim of this navigation is not to get lost in the ocean but to precisely gain the island of Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean leaving from Arrecife. ( Lanzarote island in the Canary Island chain) We will navigate only by naked eye observation of the stars, the propagation of swells and wind direction. Only concession to modernity, we will have an ARGOS beacon on board that will allow anybody interested by this adventure to follow on land the boat’s journey (the positions on this web site.) and for us to be able to later analyse the journey comparing the satellite positions to our boat’s log. As on our precedent crossing France-Miami, we are taking four logs, audio, video, photo and written. The baseline of the concept is to make a film of which the subject is a unique adventure, the scenery the ocean, the boat an accessorie, the scenario a happening. |
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| Without compass... |
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Without compass, the main difficulty will be to navigate straight.
Anticipating 30 degrees of imprecision on our bearing, the distance from the island of Lanzarote to Guadeloupe, 3000 nautical miles, will increase by 15%, which represents 3500 miles (6500 km) to travel. At a probable average speed of 5 knots, we will need approximately 29 days to reach the French Caribbean, therefore one lunar month. |
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Hence we have chosen the 31st of March for our departure from Arrecife to arrive the other side around the new moon of May. This will allow us an easier observation of the night sky without moonlight.
During the day, the movement of the sun will indicate the East-West axis, as at that time on those latitudes the sun rises almost exactly east and sets almost exactly west. For nocturnal navigation we will observe the positions of the stars, obviously the Polar, the Southern Cross and Orion constellation which indicates the west as it sets. At times of lack of visibility we will have to orientate ourselves by swell direction or by dominant wind direction. If lack of visibility persists we must stop our progression to make sure we don’t take a wrong course. All the same we are counting on a sufficient glimmer of light at sunrise and sunset to determine swell and wind direction which would become our unique references. We will, of course, keep a daily log of all our observations. |
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| Without watch... |
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There is no automatic pilot or clock on board. We must stay at the helm 24 hours a day..
The management of sleep will be very delicate during our night watches as we won’t be able to equally share between us our rest times. Being twins should help us. |
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Above all we hope to feel and discover little by little a natural and stabilised rhythm between us, as well as a direct reading of time in relation with movements of the stars.
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| Latitude estimation... |
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After two weeks of heading south-west, our night sky will have changed. We will progressively discover new stars towards the south indicating our change of latitude.
We have spent a lot of time preparing this navigation by studying astronomy. In particular with the help of planetarium type software on our computer as well as our personal program. |
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To reach Guadaloupe without any instruments of navigation we are looking to locate a small constellation, The Fly, situated just below the Southern Cross. Once completely visible above the horizon we will have reached our latitude of arrival after which we must head west with maximum possible precision. In Theory ! But when will we arrive? Where will we arrive? On what island? What language will be spoken there? What mistake will we have made? |
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| The dates... |
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We tested the boat on the France-Canary Island trip in August 2002, 1500 miles in horrible weather conditions, strong winds and heavy seas without ever seeing the sun or the stars for 15 days since France, where summer never came. Although life aboard was very cramped (there is only one bunk and space is very reduced, 1.5 m3 for two…) The boat handled well although it’s ancient rigging is very delicate to use.
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The main difficulty was humidity on board in high seas, as we have a lot of photo, video and audio material. Our hands were still swollen a month after that journey.
That’s the reason we have decided to cross the ocean the 31ST of march, hoping it will be more merciful, and by choosing very carefully the moment considering the position of the moon and certain constellations of stars that will guide us. Thereupon, it’s six years we have been working on this program. 
Departure by plane for Arrecife, Lanzarote : 1st of march 2003
Training and fine tuning : all the month of march
Departure scheduled from the port of Arrecife : 31st of march 2003
The desired length of the crossing : approximately 25 days
Probable arrival in Guadeloupe : last week of april 2003
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| Concept : Accord des Mondes |
© 2005 Emmanuel & Maximilien BERQUE |