Durban to Maputo

Ken Bårdsen

An amazing trip from Durban to Maputo and back. Dave Lord skippered his 9.1m Muira. I was the only crew member with sailing experience. Deon Nieuwoudt, a driving friend, joined me. Also one of Daves astronav students joined. It was a hard journey against the current and wind getting there. We were fired on by Renamo rebels, as we approached Inhaca island in the evening, but fortunately escaped injury. We sailed due East to be well away from land at night and circled back to navigate Maputo bay in daylight as the channel is narrow and the marks weren't lit, or even present in some cases, due to the long running civil war. In Maputo we met the Mullers on SY Arwen, the only other pleasure boat there. one of their crew moved to our boat as he didn't want to go on to Bazaruto, and our astronav student left us as sailing life didn't suit him. Arwen went on to run aground near Bazaruto and the Mullers were kidnapped by child soldiers and held in the jungle to ransom for 7 weeks, making global headlines. we sailed to Inhaca island and snorkeled and explored fore a few days before heading back towards Durban, keeping a good distance to the shore. The weather was good, and winds strong throughout.