Sailing yacht Rantje battles storms on 1,400-mile voyage through Chile's treacherous waters
The sailing yacht Rantje has begun its 1,400-nautical-mile journey to Valdivia after reaching the 54th parallel south in Tierra del Fuego. Before departure, the crew completed formalities with the Chilean Navy in Puerto Williams, ensuring compliance with strict reporting rules for the voyage ahead.
The trip has already tested the crew's skills, with sleet falling in a Chilean fjord and the barograph stuck at a low 960 hectopascals—signalling rough conditions.
The Rantje set off after filing detailed route plans with the Chilean Navy. Authorities require daily position updates by email at noon and midnight, along with precise status reports. These measures reflect the challenges of navigating Chile's unpredictable channels, where winds can exceed 60 knots even in the Beagle Channel, a key passage between the Pacific and Atlantic.
The first leg covered 60 miles before the yacht reached Caleta Olla, its first safe anchorage. Here, the crew encountered drift ice for the first time. To secure the vessel, they tied it with two extra stern lines to shore. Later, in Caleta Brecknock, the yacht was moored with six lines—fastened to thick tree trunks and rocks—to weather an approaching storm.
In this remote region, only a handful of official harbours and anchorages suit sailing yachts. Puerto Williams and Ushuaia offer protected berths and solid infrastructure, while spots like Puerto Navarino and Caleta Olla are recommended by local sailors and the navy for their sheltered conditions.
The Rantje now waits out the storm in Caleta Brecknock, its lines tightly secured. With the Chilean Navy's requirements met and the first stretch of the voyage complete, the crew prepares for the long journey north. The next 1,400 nautical miles will demand careful navigation through some of the world's most challenging waters.
