by Mac Mackay » December 15, 2018, 7:01 pm
Sorry if I was a bit curt in my response regarding the so-called Bermuda Triangle - which I believe has been discredited.
Certainly it can be a dangerous area in hurricane season, but after the end of the hurricane season, and the start of winter, taking a southern route across the Atlantic is far safer than taking a northern route. If a ship hits storms in the North Atlantic and has to spend days riding out seas and not getting anywhere there would certainly be no saving in fuel costs in taking what appears to be a shorter northern route. There is also the risk of damage, freezing spray, etc.,
The main reason in the case of Stephen B. Roman is that it was heading for Gibraltar, which is at 35.5 degrees North latitude, which is well south of the Cabot Strait which is about 47 degrees North latitude, so the ship leaving the Gulf of St.Lawrence needs wants to head in a southerly direction anyway. I would see little advantage to the Great Circle/ northern route and the push of the Gulf Stream for a ship heading for the Mediterranean.
In any event the Stephen B. Roman arrived safely in Aliaga today, December 15.
Sorry if I was a bit curt in my response regarding the so-called Bermuda Triangle - which I believe has been discredited.
Certainly it can be a dangerous area in hurricane season, but after the end of the hurricane season, and the start of winter, taking a southern route across the Atlantic is far safer than taking a northern route. If a ship hits storms in the North Atlantic and has to spend days riding out seas and not getting anywhere there would certainly be no saving in fuel costs in taking what appears to be a shorter northern route. There is also the risk of damage, freezing spray, etc.,
The main reason in the case of Stephen B. Roman is that it was heading for Gibraltar, which is at 35.5 degrees North latitude, which is well south of the Cabot Strait which is about 47 degrees North latitude, so the ship leaving the Gulf of St.Lawrence needs wants to head in a southerly direction anyway. I would see little advantage to the Great Circle/ northern route and the push of the Gulf Stream for a ship heading for the Mediterranean.
In any event the Stephen B. Roman arrived safely in Aliaga today, December 15.