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Dear George,


As regards the high current value indicated for the RIGIL KENTAURUS "LAN" 
series, in "blue waters" the Ship's Captain himself assigned values to 
Current Direction and Speed and if applicable to the leeway-angle also on 
sail vessels.

A 2.5 Kt sea current may certainly look quite high in open waters, although 
maybe not really exceptional since I have since heard about unexpectedly sea 
currents observed occasionnaly in the southern oceans. We did have on board 
this ship an independent long range navigation system (although intermittent 
if I remember well). How did my Skipper derive such numbers - some 30 years 
ago - is far beyond my memories. I still do remember that the weather had 
been unusally cold. But what about the winds during the previous days ? I 
just cannot remember and anyway, it is always quite windy down there.

But I was quite happy and proud to run these observations I had volunteered 
for. Their result surprised all Officers on board since we had been taught 
during our Navigation Courses that minimum transit heights should be 70? as a 
minimum, i.e. body culmination not beyond 20? from zenit.

And as regards the ship(s) going there, the French Navy then had 4 Destroyers 
in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and such long range navigation trips between 
both Oceans were routine operations including sailing through the South 
Atlantic Ocean occasionally.

.. and on one of these trips, for days and days, we had a huge albatross 
following us in the (roaring) fourties and (screaming) fitfies.


Best Regards


Antoine M. "Kermit" Couette


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