Year 2: A Continuation of the Pacific Passion Project

Welcome back to Project Pacific Passion! It's been a while since our last update, and I owe you an apology for the silence during the second half of the first year. There have been several reasons for the gap, but none justify leaving you in the dark about our thrilling adventures. As you know, the first year, from 01 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, was dedicated to preparing our boat, testing out the systems, and exploring the breathtaking wonders of Indonesia. What a journey it was! The highlight was undoubtedly the six weeks we spent in Raja Ampat, an experience made even more special by sharing it with family and friends. More on that in other blogs.

Kristin and I returned aboard SilverLining on 1 August to kick off Year 2 of Pacific Passion. We were joined by Geert and Lieven, who I met during the Yacht Navigator Training that Lieven and I attended in 2021/2022 at the Antwerp Maritime Academy. While I couldn't complete the full cycle, Lieven did and earned his certificate with utmost satisfaction. He has since become passionate in celestial navigation, and we agreed that the best way to practice this challenging technique would be a cruise onboard, sharing knowledge and refining our skills.

The Art of Celestial Navigation

Celestial navigation is an age-old art that dates back to the early days of sea exploration. Sailors relied on the stars, sun, moon, and planets to determine their position at sea before modern GPS technology. The primary tool for this navigation method is the sextant, an instrument used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon.

A brief history: The sextant evolved from earlier instruments like the astrolabe and quadrant, with the first true sextants appearing in the 18th century. These devices allowed navigators to calculate latitude with remarkable accuracy by measuring the sun's angle at noon. Longitude, however, remained elusive until the development of accurate marine chronometers.

Using a sextant involves a series of precise measurements and calculations. First, you sight a celestial body through the sextant's telescope, aligning it with the horizon using the instrument's mirrors. Then, you read the angle on the sextant's arc and note the exact time of your observation. This data, along with nautical almanacs and sight reduction tables, allows you to plot your position on a chart.

If you would like to know more about the technique of celestial navigation, have a look at the YouTube movies from Leon Schulz at Regina Sailing website https://reginasailing.com/celestial_videos/  

The Journey Begins

We set sail from Singapore, planning to spend a few days cruising in the Anambas Islands of Indonesia before continuing to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Now, as we approach 15 August, our estimated arrival date in Kota Kinabalu, I can confirm that Lieven not only understands celestial navigation but is also a good teacher and attentive listener. While I am still far from mastering the technique, his guidance has sparked a keen interest in me. It's a fantastic mental exercise that keeps your mind sharp!

Friendship, Science, Discovery, and Adventure

This entire project embodies friendship, science, discovery, and adventure. The past two weeks have been filled with all these elements. We've experienced the beauty of the Anambas Islands, practiced celestial navigation and deepened our bonds of friendship. The journey ahead through the Philippine archipelago promises even more excitement, learning, and unforgettable moments.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our voyage. We'll share more stories, insights, and discoveries from the second year of Project Pacific Passion. Thank you for your patience and continued support.

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For more updates and detailed logs of our journey, visit www.pacificpassion.org and Instagram @pacific.passion. Join us as we navigate the vast and wondrous Pacific, sharing our passion for exploration and discovery.