07.01.2016: Storm front

The Cape shows its tougher side!

During the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations you could get the impression that the weather at Cape Horn is much better than its reputation. With a mild 25 °C in the sun, blue skies and mild winds one is reminded of a northern German summer.

This peacefulness is now definitely over. For days now, the Cape Horn weather station has reported a wind force of 40 to 58 knots and wave heights of up to 6 meters. The forecast for the next five days: An improvement in the weather cannot be expected. We spoke with Osvaldo yesterday. Osvaldo is the owner and skipper of the “Polarwind”, a robust and comfortably equipped steel yacht. Osvaldo is Chilean and used to work as a lighthouse keeper on Cape Horn. He worked alone there. His descriptions of the storms which he experienced there are a cause for concern.

Hell is breaking loose

During one storm his lodging, which was secured by steel cables, was raised by 10 cm and all the windows were broken. “At Cape Horn you must always add about 15 knots to the wind velocity that has been forecasted”, say Osvaldo. Cape Horn is not just a legend – Cape Horn is true to its bad reputation.
Due to the actual weather situation, the Chilean navy has requested and stationed another helicopter for Puerto Williams. This one is larger and higher in performance and is now available in the event of ships in distress.

We have been here in Puerto Williams for days now waiting for better weather conditions together with other yachts from all over the world. Many laptops are flipped open with crew members sitting in front of them and studying the weather forecasts. Skippers are leaning over their ship’s rail with knitted brows and talking to one another – contemplative faces everywhere. But we are all safe here! One look over the Beagle Canal leaves no questions open. There are at least 6 Beaufort and wave heights of 1,5-2 meters – and that in the protected inner fairway. Further out all hell is breaking loose.

We can only wait until this storm front has passed by...

Arved Fuchs