A desire to reach another land by sea
Young architect living on Reunion Island, Clémence took advantage of a professional break to launch her first sailing trip.
" My initial project was to return to France as a passenger on a container ship. Some companies were indeed proposing some cabins to travelers wishing to go around the world on this unusual mode of transport. But with the Covid, this service was suspended for an indefinite period.
I then went to the marina of Le Port, in the north of the island, to look for a boarding lead. I left a small announcement at the marina office, indicating only my desire to sail, regardless of the timing and destination.
A few days later, while I was trekking in the Mafate cirque, I received a call from Emmanuel, who had seen my ad. He was looking for a team member to join Mauritius. I decided to shorten my journey in the wilderness to reach the port."
After having met over a drink, Emmanuel warned Clémence about the possible inconveniences of such a navigation for a beginner: sea sickness, duration of the navigation, not to mention the difficulties of entering the territory of Mauritius because of the Covid.
Ignoring all these potential problems, Clémence just wants to sail. She is very excited to discover a new experience.
Getting to know an unknown environment
This Indian navigation is to be carried out on board Lambert, a First Class Europe fitted out for offshore navigation.
At this time of the year, the wind regime is mostly from the East. This 140-mile sail between Reunion and Port Louis will therefore be upwind, which should take about thirty hours.
"I embark the day before the departure. We have a few drinks with our pontoon neighbors, who are to make the same trip as us a few days later. And I get acquainted for the first time with a sailboat berth.
Emmanuel briefs me on the emergency procedures and the functioning of the safety elements. I learn how to use a VHF, a beacon and how to inflate a raft."
The departure is made in a persistent calm along the coast of Reunion Island. Under mainsail and genoa, Le Lambert progresses slowly, leaving its crew time to admire the landscape. Clémence takes a first Mercalm as a precaution.
Little by little, the Meeting moves away. The second half of a Mercalm pill is swallowed, and Clémence discovers the application of the theories that Emmanuel had instilled in her the day before.
"I stay outside to prevent myself from getting seasick, and I discover that a sailboat is leaning. I cling to this unstable environment, which makes me lose all my bearings. Moving around becomes very complicated."
A tonic navigation
Once past the northern tip of Reunion Island, the Lambert is exposed to headwinds.
"I start to get seasick and fall asleep on my bunk.
My nap is short-lived, as I am regularly awakened by the VHF. I fall asleep intermittently but I suffer a nightmare, in which we sink! I then decide to go back up on deck."
With a 20-25 knot easterly flow, the Lambert is well set and has a good list.
"Around 2am, I find myself alone on my watch. The AIS is not working very well, so we have to be very vigilant about the surrounding traffic. The skipper goes to sleep. I find myself lost on this walnut hull, with the Moon, the stars and the Indian Ocean all around me. I'm having a hard time, and I'd rather be under my comforter at home.
Emmanuel had prepared us a Kari with ginger and mango, which ended up feeding the fish in the Indian Ocean.
After 25 hours of sailing, I finally decide to go to the toilet, which is at the front of the boat. It's an obstacle course. I regain strength at daybreak, and as the seasickness fades away.
A land is on the horizon. We approached Mauritius from the north, then towards Port Louis. The harbour master's office ordered us to wait at the quarantine anchorage. It was Sunday and we had to wait until Monday for the usual formalities. We are not allowed to disembark before that.
Our 2 e the night at anchor goes well, and we are soon joined by the Yam's, with whom we were in Reunion Island.
We are suffering from the mistakes of the Mauritian administration. All the services are passing the buck and nobody wants to welcome us. We managed to contact an available doctor, so that he could do a PCR test.
After 48 hours of waiting, we were granted the right to dock at the marina. The Customs disembarked on board for a regulatory search, but everything went well and the officials were very nice.
I disembarked the Lambert to visit Rodrigues, before flying back to Canada. This experience, though difficult, has made me want to go back for a longer distance."
