Closing the Triangle: A Quest for Rapa Nui

Polynesian Voyaging Society

Sailing Strategy / Leg 2. Hiva Oa to Mangareva (August 1999)

After sailing from Nukuhiva southeast through the Marquesan Archipelago, Hokule'a departed for Mangareva from the island of Hiva Oa August 14. To avoid the dangerous atolls and reefs of the Tuamotu Archipelago, Hokule'a will towed by the escort boat Kamahele on SE by E course for 660 miles. The tow boat will be directed from the canoe via radio by navigators not using instruments. (Light winds , three extra days in the Marquesas, and a tight schedule requiring the canoe to be in Mangareva by the first week of September for the leg to Rapa Nui made the towing necessary.) When the canoe is about 16 degrees S, 130 degrees W, Hokule'a will begin sailing south to 25 °S to look for land-based sea birds around the triangle of Oeno, Pitcairn, and Henderson.The navigators may have to tack in a search pattern to find one of these islands. Only Pitcairn is inhabited. The crew may land there if weather permits. After finding one of these islands, the crew will sail westward, looking for land-based sea birds around Mangareva. Navigator: Chad Baybayan, with Moana Doi and Catherine Fuller.

Islands

The Marquesas is a chain of islands, stretching from Eiao (8° 00' S, 140° 41' W) in the Northwest to Fatu Hiva (10° 28' S; 138° 50'W) in the Southeast. 148 miles North to South; 110 miles East to West. Other major islands are Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata Hiva Oa.

Atuona, Hiva Oa: 09° 49' S, 139° 02' W

Oeno Atoll: 23° 56' S, 130° 44' W, about 65 miles NW of Pitcairn

Pitcairn: 25° 04' S, 130° 06' W; highest point: 1000 feet.

Henderson Island: 24° 22' S, l28° l9' W, 103 miles ENE of Pitcairn; highest point: 101 feet.

Temoe: 23° 21' S., 134° 29' W, 22 miles ESE of Mangareva

Mangareva: 23° 10' S, 135° 00' W; highest point: Mt. Duff 1455 feet.

The three segments of the Voyage from Hiva Oa to Mangareva will take place within Southeast Tradewind Belt:

Segment 1: Tow to Make Up Time and Gain Easting Against the ESE Trade Winds.

Heading: Noio Malanai (SE by E)

Distance to be Traveled: 660 miles; Sailing Days: 5.5 days; Current Set: 66 miles west

Segment 2: Head South to Find Pitcairn

Heading: Haka Malanai (S by E)

Distance to be Traveled: 540 miles; Sailing Days: 4.5 days; Current Set :54 miles W. days

Segment 3: Search for Temoe and Mangareva to the West

Heading: 'Aina Ho'olua (WNW)

Distance to be Traveled: 350 miles; Sailing Days: 3 days

Totals for the Leg 2

Total Distance along the Course Line: 1500

Total Sailing Days along the Course Line: 13 days; may take longer depending on how much time the crew spends searching for one of its target islands and whether the crew lands on Pitcairn to visit the community there.