Celestial Navigation

Third day at sea. We sail along the northern coast of Brittany.

A few weeks ago, when Kenneth, the Vinson’s Skipper, proposed to me the idea of dusting off the sextant and embark on the first leg of the voyage south in order to instruct the crew in the art of astronomical navigation, I did not hesitate a moment. 

Where would I find a better classroom for such a purpose than the Vinson?

But my endeavor will not be limited to teaching them to find their position with reasonable accuracy in the middle of the ocean by means of the stars.

The practice of astronomical navigation in our days -the era of plotters and GPS- only makes sense if you are willing to go far beyond complex trigonometric calculations.

One must be seduced by its long and fascinating history, by its instruments and liturgy; be curious about the infinite mysteries hidden in the starry sky, and be willing to accept a certain uncertainty, an inseparable condition of true adventure.

This is the only way to understand its true dimension and let oneself be caught by its magic.

This is going to be my challenge for the next few days.

So to capture the attention it is enough to take the wooden box out on deck, to open it, and the sextant does the rest.

We set sail for adventure…

Note:

The Vinson departed Makkum on October 11 bound for Patagonia. On board, among others, are two students from the Puerto Williams Sailing School. The objective is to train them as future sailors.

Jordi Griso

Delivery crew