Sebastien Destremau - Route change - Skirting coast of Erromango
It looks like Sebastien was heading towards Port Villa, then suddenly turned South. Did he have to get within radio range to find out what the situation was regarding Covid and visitors? His route Southwards took him towards the North West corner of the island of Erromango.
Erromango has two airstrips. These are at Cooks Bay on the East Coast and Dillon's Bay on the West Coast. Europeans brought diseases for which the population had no immunity. Some missionaries were eaten by cannibals in 1839. The island was a source of sandalwood which was depleted by 1865. Much more here: Erromango
At one point I thought he was sailing away but since then he sailed down the West coast to Dillon's Bay, where he slowed right down to take in the views and maybe record a video.
Two photos of Dillon's Bay. I wonder if there is any volcanic activity at the moment.
Lock down at Noumea is not due to be lifted until around Tuesday next week, at the earliest. Perhaps he will sail West to the islands of New Caledonia and record the experience without landing anywhere else first.
The following tracker map is out of date and shows arrival near the island. It usefully shows the relatively low number of vessels. At least vessels with AIS. There may be other small craft about without AIS.
It seems to me that whatever the situation, he will at least try to sail by the islands and record his experience before either getting clearance to enter Nomea next week or heading on to his next destination, which should be France, though I suspect he may have a small list of en route options.
I wouldn't go near countries in the Indian Ocean as it's a hot bed of Covid at the moment.
It looks like Sebastien was heading towards Port Villa, then suddenly turned South. Did he have to get within radio range to find out what the situation was regarding Covid and visitors? His route Southwards took him towards the North West corner of the island of Erromango.
Erromango has two airstrips. These are at Cooks Bay on the East Coast and Dillon's Bay on the West Coast. Europeans brought diseases for which the population had no immunity. Some missionaries were eaten by cannibals in 1839. The island was a source of sandalwood which was depleted by 1865. Much more here: Erromango
At one point I thought he was sailing away but since then he sailed down the West coast to Dillon's Bay, where he slowed right down to take in the views and maybe record a video.
Two photos of Dillon's Bay. I wonder if there is any volcanic activity at the moment.
Lock down at Noumea is not due to be lifted until around Tuesday next week, at the earliest. Perhaps he will sail West to the islands of New Caledonia and record the experience without landing anywhere else first.
The following tracker map is out of date and shows arrival near the island. It usefully shows the relatively low number of vessels. At least vessels with AIS. There may be other small craft about without AIS.
It seems to me that whatever the situation, he will at least try to sail by the islands and record his experience before either getting clearance to enter Nomea next week or heading on to his next destination, which should be France, though I suspect he may have a small list of en route options.
I wouldn't go near countries in the Indian Ocean as it's a hot bed of Covid at the moment.
Last edited:
