Crazy Ocean Sailing

The Volvo Ocean Race is underway. Previously known as the Whitbread Around the World Race, that is exactly what it is. This year to deal with the very real threat to piracy in the region around Somalia, the boats were shipped in a large vessel around that area. Good planning.

Now they only have to deal with Iranian war games in the Strait of Hormuz.

On Saturday, Iran’s navy began a ten day drill involving warships, submarines, unmanned planes, missiles and torpedoes to showcase its defence capabilities in response to the international criticism over Iran’s nuclear programme.

With US Navy vessels in close proximity to Iranian ships, innocent errors could quickly escalate into international incidents and although the Volvo navigators will have been briefed meticulously before the second leg started

The Iranians have arrested folks before who strayed to close to their shore.

Also under way is the Australian, Blue Water Classic, or more officially known as the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race. So far 7 yachts have "retired" from that race. This is the race that in 1998 saw 6 boats sink, and 5 people die due to bad weather. So far this year, things are going better than that.