How does locating Flying Ferkins work ? Here’s a brief explanation of how distances are calculated over the ocean?

Longitude & Latitude

Measurements of longitude are like segments on an orange e.g their distances apart [between the degrees and minutes] are bigger at the equator and smaller as you get towards each pole. Latitude measurements are like slices across, parallel with the equator and are the same size North or South. Ok so far? Longitude and latitude measurements are measurements of differing distances.

So what’s the quickest route to Mauritius?

The shortest route has already been worked out by much more intelligent  people than us [in 1924 actually] it is called ‘the great circle’ route holding south and then progressively coming up [fairly late on], to Mauritius. Unbelievable as it is, that’s the quickest route-look here if you’re seriously interested in how it looks or how it is worked out click here.

How do we work out boat positions?

This is how we work out the relative boat positions, for example to Southern Cross. There are 60 minutes in a degree [remember that geography lesson?] so you can work out how many minutes they are apart. For example this morning: 

Flying Ferkins position was Latitude 26,26 Longitude 95,27.

Southern Cross Latitude 24,33, Longitude 95,30.

Distance apart is therefore Latitude: 1 degree & 53 minutes Longitude: 0 degree & 3 minutes. 113 minutes.

Remember earlier? Latitude is the same distance all the way down the earth [and conveniently one minute of latitude is one nm], so 113 minutes is 113 nm. Longitude is slightly different and we are assuming it is about 0.9  of a nautical mile in this area, so multiply the minutes by 0.9 to give the nm, so 3 degrees becomes 2.7 nm. This puts Flying Ferkins 2.7nm West of Southern Cross and 113 nm South.

I hope this has been useful and not too taxing! If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below, we’ll endeavour to get back to you directly.

Flying Ferkins Support Crew out.

Hope all is well back there -  were on the para-anchor most of last night and started rowing again this morning, when the rain decided to start! Progress is a little slow but we are still plodding along. We’ve now been doing 24 hours rowing which is good and the weather is good for us until the weekend when we have some westerlies to contend with which could slow us up - really pleased to have hit the 1000 mark.

Over a month at sea now and the food cravings have really kicked in.  All we dream about is having some flavoured food once we get to Mauritius, as even the nuts on the boat are saltless.  We are severely regretting our attitude at the start that junk food is not a necessity, because IT IS.  At the moment my main craving is my mums treacle sponge pudding and I would kill for Mary Pascoe’s Lemon Drizzle!!!!

I know Guy’s been trying to keep this quiet but our new bucket - the spare flares canister is doing ok.

For all of you concerned with the music being played I’ve listened to Bloc Party today.  Giving Enya a rest for now.

Hope the Chorlty’s have a great time in Rome watching Man U wish I could be there too but I will be on that phone getting regular up dates from Jem when I’ve finished my shift.

Thanks again for all the support and donations to the charity. Makes all the tiredness, sores and hunger seem worthwhile when the charity total heads closer towards our fundraising target.

Andrew out.

Click here to donate money for the fight against the spread of male cancers and support Orchid, the boys chosen charity.

To follow our progress please go to the official Woodvale Challenge site.