3. Introduction
The southernmost tip of South America, Cape Horn, is one of the most dangerous seafaring routes in the
world. Many vessels have rounded the cape, but many others have failed. For centuries, European
explorers attempted to find shortcuts via the Northwest Passage through the archipelago north of Canada
and via southerly routes around the continents.
The Horn, 1,391 feet high, was discovered as a direct result of the Dutch East India Company's restriction
on any other Dutch trading company using the Cape of Good Hope or the Straits of Magellan, some 200
miles north of Cape Horn. Seeking a different, legal route, a Dutch navigator, Willem Schouten, sailed
around the Horn in 1616. Unfortunately, when he arrived in the East Indies, no one believed he had used
an alternate passage, and he was thrown in jail until the new route was confirmed. Named after
Schouten's hometown of Hoorn in the Netherlands, the promontory was anglicized to "Horn."
Whatever the name, it is the most feared spot on earth for those who sail. The weather forecast of the
area announces an average of 200 days of gale and 130 days of cloudy sky and for the rest of the year
the wind is strong and the sea is rough. So great is its legendary status that, even today, it is a magnet
for adventurous sailors, and some still die in the attempt.
According to sailors' lore, anyone who "rounds the Horn" is permitted to wear a gold hoop earring in the
left ear to let the world know of the feat. In this modern age, visitors who sail these treacherous waters
still feel a sense of accomplishment at having met the challenge of these turbulent seas. Today, sailors
may be more knowledgeable about navigating the waters around the promontory than in years past, but
they are still respectful and fearful when they sail around Cape Horn.
4. Cape Horn
Captains Log – DELTA IOS
Load
13-15 May 11 Campos Basin,
Brazil (P-47).
• Cargo: Marlin Crude
311,354 Gross Bbls
17-20 May 11 Campos
Basin, Brazil (P-35).
• Cargo: Marlin Crude
653,039 Gross Bbls
Discharge
• Long Beach,
California for orders.
6. Cape Horn
Captains Log – DELTA IOS
Insurance Line
• Not South of 50S except for RL connecting 50-00S 50-00W; 57-00S 67-30W; 50-00S 160-00W
At Cape Horn, looking at the depth contours, may have to keep well South of Islas
Diego Ramirez in heavy weather. Due to the effect of the continental shelf, good
chance of high steep fronted waves. Going south of Islas DG is restricted by the limit of
the insurance line.
Ice can be found any time of the year as per Pilots but chances of icebergs are
more in summer. Ice is the other reason for not going too far South.
7. Cape Horn
Captains Log - DELTA IOS
VOYAGE
DTG: 8,450Nm
Speed: 13.5 Knots
(C/P speed)
Draft: 16.10M EK
E.T.A. to Long Beach
pilot station on 15 June 2011
at 15:00 Hrs local time
(Basis C/P speed – 4 hrs
retard) WSNP.
8. Cape Horn
Captains Log - Eagle Vermont
VOYAGE
• 20May11 (Friday)
Departed loadport Campos Basin,
Brazil bound to Long Beach, California
via Cape Horn
• 23 May 11 (Monday)
Sea Ice reports from Inm-C - ice edge
limits. No Icebergs in open waters
measuring above 10 NM along the
Axis. Navtex messages received in
Spanish and English
• 26 May 11 (Thursday)
300 N. Miles North of Falkland Islands.
About 2 Hrs of Fog at noon. Later,
moderate breeze from north, fair sky,
and good visibility.
9. Cape Horn
Captains Log - DELTA IOS
VOYAGE
• 27 May 11(Friday)
30 N. Miles off Jason Islands (NW coast
of Falkland Islands) Weather: Gale from
north, moderate visibility, cloudy.
Improves gradually in the evening.
Fishing Boats in the area, AIS equipped
• 28 May 11(Saturday)
Passing Estrecho de Le Maire at noon
(1600 UTC). Speed 8.1 Kts, against 4.3
kts current. Weather: Fresh Breeze from
SW, Clear Sky, Good Visibility.
Ushuaia (Prefectura Naval) Station called
on VHF ch 16 then ch 12 asking for
details.
• 29 May 11 (Sunday)
Rounding the Horn at 0030 Hrs LT (0430
UTC), 9 n. miles off. Weather: Fresh
Breeze from NW, Overcast, Good
Visibility. Some swell.
10. Cape Horn
Captains Log - DELTA IOS
VOYAGE
• 30 May 11 (Monday) At
1800 Hrs LT (2300 UTC) Passing
Cape Pilar - west entrance to
Megallen Straits.
Weather: Overcast, near gale to
gale from WNW, gusting, visibility
moderate, passing rain showers.
