Crossing the Iroise Sea in one shot, 13-14 May 2021

13 of May was "the window"! After consulting with my "master" Fañch (Cybèle 17), we decided to choose for a departure at 16:00 from Aber-Wrac'h, in order to arrive at the entrance of the "Four channel" by 20:00, at the reverse of tides, and take the rolling carpet at night through the "Four Channel" and the  "Raz-de-Sein", a 30 nautical miles through the "Iroise Sea", one of the most challenging sea in the world. 

Early morning in the Audierne bay. See the porpoise accompanying us?

The advice by Fañch to engage in night sailing was very good as it allowed us to get through under manageable conditions. Besides, the area is very well marked and with a chart plotter, there is no difficulties. Basically, to get through from North to South requires to arrive at the time of the reverse high tide at the entrance of the Four channel with supportive winds. 

Other purpoises along the way...

Ahead of these purpoise encounters, we had in the Raz-de-Sein one of the most intriguing experience. In such place where you feel that you are experiencing the limit of what to expect on earth, then inadvertently you are witnessing the passage of a "Starlink satellite train". Certainly an organized tour of aliens watching you doing so well in the wilderness on earth.

Starlink satellite train on explain science web site

It has been one of my weirdest experience in life as I was not aware of these phenomenons, but have a great interest in such appearances. The train crossed the sky from West to East in one minute. Such magic appearances are reserved for sailors and insomniacs. After a bit of Internet reading, we realized that they were not aliens on the run, but thousands of low altitude flying satellites aiming at providing Internet connexion all around the world. Each of the satellites weights 270 kilo and has an 8 square meter solar panel that reflects the sun under particular circumstances.

Sailing this segment by night in a very narrow weather window, we realised that the free tools available today for preparing are better than ever. Windy and MARC.Ifremer, coupled with the Navionics nautical charts online allow to plan a route perfectly, confident that the forecasted wind strength and direction are very likely to happen. In Windy look at the Arome model for short term forecast (only for French and adjacent areas). Very reliable for next 48 hours, with a low spatial resolution. But consider gust winds ("rafales") rather than just wind forecast to avoid bad surprises as at times the difference is very significant.