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Vagaris - Chance encounter on the Ocean



When sailing across even the vast Atlantic Ocean it would be rueful not to keep a close watch for other ships. Either by eye, by radar or by AIS we can look out for yachts and ships and check if we have to alter course to avoid a collision. The AIS (Automatic Identification System) uses VHF radio signals to transmit and receive information about each boat so when we spot another vessel we can check its size, speed, name and how likely it is to hit us!

So another large ship appears on the horizon heading our way and a quick look at the AIS reveals it as the Esperanza. Umm.....that's a familiar name, I wonder if that is who I think it is? A view through the binoculars confirms my suspicion. There is that characteristic rainbow on the bow and the dark green hull - it is indeed the Greenpeace ship Esperanza.

"Esperanza, Esperanza, this is yacht Vagaris, yacht Vagaris, over"
"Yacht Vagaris, yacht Vagaris, this is Esperanza, over"
"Esperanza, do you have Gavin Newman on board?"
"We certainly do, I'll just get him for you"

Gavin is a professional photographer who does freelance work for Greenpeace and more importantly is a very good friend. We knew he had been away for 6 weeks off the coast of Africa and was due to head north to the Canaries at some point but not of any further details - all very cloak and dagger with Greenpeace missions. So it was a big surprise to be passing within 2 miles of each other!

We had a good radio chat and confirmed that we'd all be back in the UK by 20 December so after making plans to meet up at

See you Christmas, we bade farewell. A chance encounter indeed!

(Written by Kath on SY Vagaris)

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