SHARK BAIT NO MORE
The most abundant species of sea turtle in the world is the Olive Ridley which has an olive colored carapace.
As we sailed from Galapagos to the Sea of Cortez, we encountered lots of Olive Ridleys.
We did not know that Olive Ridleys like to float and bask on the surface of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. This behavior is completely different than the other species of sea turtles that we encountered in Galapagos, Panama, and the Sea of Cortez where the sea turtles surface for a couple of breaths and then quickly disappear beneath the surface.
The Olive Ridleys floated on the surface showing no concern or reaction as we sailed by on Exit Only.
We also did not know that the Olive Ridleys are roosting platforms for sea birds - especially boobies.
When booby birds float on the ocean, they are tasty morsels for sharks. We often saw flocks of boobies floating on the ocean before dark, and little did we know that dinner was being served for the sharks. One gulp and the booby bird is gone.
That’s why boobies like Olive Ridleys. The boobies are no longer shark bait.
The floating Olive Ridleys also function as a fish aggregating device. Fish congregate under floating debris and floating sea turtles.
Boobies are know to dive at breakneck speed into the water close to Olive Ridleys to snatch fish from the sea. Some species of birds dive under the sea turtles for a rich harvest of fish.
Other birds besides boobies use Olive Ridleys for roosts. Sea birds with less water resistant plumages need dry roosts to preen their feathers and dry them out.
On the trip from Galapagos to the Sea of Cortez, we encountered two Olive Ridleys that each had 2 boobies roosting on their back.
Although our sample size was small, it reflected the fact that Olive Ridleys are the dominant turtles in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
It’s likely that Olive Ridleys have played a significant role in seabird survival in the Eastern Pacific for thousands of years - more in the past than in the present.
Richard and Hughes (1972) reported that two separate nesting beaches in Costa Rica each had over 100,000 olive ridleys aggregated off- shore during peak nesting periods. And Cliffton et al. (1981) estimated that there was a minimum of 10,000,000 olive ridleys in Mexican waters prior to 1950, when commercial exploitation began.
What we thought was a freak bird on turtle event in the Eastern Pacific turned out to be an important part of the life cycle and survival of bird species at sea.
Awesome music video that captures the essence of what it's like to sail offshore in a catamaran around the world when conditions are less than perfect. David Abbott from Too Many Drummers sings the vocals, and he also edited the footage from our Red Sea adventures. This is the theme song from the Red Sea Chronicles.
Sailing up the Red Sea is not for the faint of heart. From the Bab al Mandeb to the Suez Canal, adventures and adversity are in abundance. If you take things too seriously, you just might get the Red Sea Blues.
If you like drum beats, and you like adventure, then have a listen to the Red Sea Chronicles Trailer.
Flying fish assault Exit Only in the middle of the night as we sail through the Arabian Gulf from the Maldives to Oman. And so begins our Red Sea adventures.
Sailing through Pirate Alley between Yemen and Somalia involves calculated risk. It may not be Russian Roulette, but it is a bit of a worry. Follow Team Maxing Out as they navigate through Pirate Alley.
Stopping in Yemen was just what the doctor ordered. We refueled, repaired our alternator, and we made friends with our gracious Yemeni hosts. We also went to Baskins Robbins as a reward for surviving Pirate Alley.
After you survive Pirate Alley, you must sail through the Gate of Sorrows (Bab Al Mandab) at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Gate of Sorrows lived up to its name with fifty knots of wind and a sandstorm that pummeled Exit Only for two days. Life is good.
Captain Dave and his family spent eleven years sailing around the world on their Privilege 39 catamaran, Exit Only. During the trip, the crew shot 200 hours of video with professional cameras to show people what it's like to sail on a small boat around the world.
The Red Sea Chronicles is a one hour and twenty-two minute feature film showing their adventures as Exit Only sails through Pirate Alley in the Gulf of Aden and up the Red Sea. The professional footage documents their experiences in Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, and the Suez Canal. It chronicles the rigors of traveling in a remote section of the world rarely visited by cruisers. Exit Only dodges Yemeni pirates, fights a gale and sand storms in the Bab al Mandeb at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The crew explores deserted islands on the western shores of the Red Sea, and learns to check the cruising guides for land mines before venturing ashore.
The Red Sea Chronicles also has outstanding Special Features including an Instructional Video on Storm Management that tells sailors how to deal with storms at sea.
And don't forget the two Music Videos: "The Red Sea Blues", and "Captain - Save Our Souls".
The Red Sea Chronicles is a first class adventure that stokes the sailing dreams of both experienced and wannabe sailors alike.
Join Team Maxingout as they sail through Pirate Alley and up the Red Sea
See what it's like to cruise on a catamaran before you spend a bazillion dollars purchasing one
After watching the Red Sea Chronicles you will be able to see yourself sailing on the ocean of your dreams
Although I like the feel of a paper book in my hand, I love trees even more. When people purchase an eBook, they actually save trees and save money as well. Ebooks are less expensive and have no negative impact on the environment. All of Dr. Dave's books are available at Save A Tree Bookstore. Visit the bookstore today and start putting good things into your mind. It's easy to fill your mind with positive things using eBooks. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can pull out your smart phone or tablet and start reading. You can even use electronic highlighters and make annotations in your eBooks just like paper books.
