What Happens 1,000 Miles From Shore

Sailing 1000 Miles From Shore: Secrets of the Seafaring Underworld

The open ocean is vast, and when you’re 1,000 miles from shore, it’s easy to feel cut off from the world. But there are secrets lurking in those depths that very few people know about. In this episode of Sailing Nahoa, Ben and Ashley set sail from Panama toward the Galapagos Islands on their second lap around the world with two kids in tow. As they embark on this epic adventure, they encounter fishing boats that are part of a vast underworld. These massive ships operate far beyond the sight of prying eyes and are often involved in unregulated fishing practices that have led to human rights violations being reported. Unseen Secrets of the Seafaring Underworld The crew of Sailing Nahoa comes across a large fishing vessel that is not on their AIS (Automatic Identification System). The AIS is supposed to provide information about the identity, position, and other characteristics of these vessels. The fact that it’s missing raises questions about what this particular ship may be hiding. Fishing Methods in the South Pacific Ben and Ashley discuss various fishing methods they’ve encountered on their journey. From the Filipino outrigger boats that deploy mini-outriggers and catch up to 1,000 kilos of fish per boat to the Indonesian bottom trollers who drag nets across the sea floor scooping up anything in their path. Fat In the Tuamotu Archipelago, they discuss fat (Fish Aggregation Devices). These floating rafts are designed to attract fish and have a sensor on them that measures depth, temperature, and detects fish mass. Meeting Other Boats in the Southeast Trades The Sailing Nahoa crew meets another boat named Sabado during their journey. They find that there’s a WhatsApp group of sailors within a two to three-day vicinity, which offers a sense of security knowing help is close if needed. Family Life on the Water Ben and Ashley share glimpses of their family life during the sailing journey, including morning routines, meals, and bedtime rituals. Their two children are well-adjusted to life at sea and enjoy activities such as sticker books, airplane toys, and even learning about constellations. Sailing Faster with the Code Zero They talk about how they’ve been sailing at a consistent speed and how even small increases can make significant differences in their overall journey time. They discuss the performance benefits of using their cruising Code Zero, a larger sail that helps move the boat faster without sacrificing comfort. Rookie Mistakes During the journey, Ben makes a rookie mistake while assembling and tying down their Code Zero sail, causing it to rip. This leads to a learning opportunity as he reflects on how to properly secure sails in the future. Unsettling Encounters The crew encounters various wildlife along their journey, including pilot whales and even a potential boat sinking after hitting a whale. These encounters remind them to stay aware of their surroundings while navigating vast ocean waters. AIS Dilemma The question remains as to why this large fishing vessel does not have its AIS on. Many smaller fishing boats are often tracked via AIS, so the fact that this one isn’t raises concerns about their intentions or practices. Environmental Concerns Ben and Ashley discuss how unregulated fishing practices can harm marine life, particularly near biodiverse areas like the Galapagos Islands. The article mentioned in their video highlights the discovery by the Ecuadorian Navy of 340 Chinese vessels fishing off the islands. The Importance of Starlink Throughout their journey, they rely on technology like their Starlink satellite internet connection to stay connected and informed about environmental issues such as unregulated fishing activities in the region. What Happens When We’re Not Looking? While the crew enjoys beautiful sunsets and spends quality time with their family, they also witness the dark side of commercial fishing in the unregulated waters near the Galapagos Islands. This episode reminds us that there’s more to discover about the ocean depths when we venture far from shore. Next Episode: Don’t miss the next episode of Sailing Nahoa as they continue their journey across the Pacific. Will they reach the Galapagos Islands? What other secrets will they uncover in their quest to sail around the world? To follow more adventures and learn about boating, sailing, watersports, or global water adventure tourism, visit our channel regularly for exciting stories, tips, and tricks.