Subject: Fw: Search for "Transgression" on the west
coast of Madagascar.
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 15:57:28 +0100
From: "Christopher Marrow" ChrisMariners@btinternet.com
To: "Tim Eiloart" rescue@clara.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Jakob Adolf Jadolf@dts.mg
To: 'Chris Marrow' ChrisMariners@btinternet.com
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 1998 14:21
Subject: Search for "Transgression" on the west coast of
Madagascar.
The labels in bold [A] refer to this map
As requested on the 26th of July, We have left for Cap Saint Marie [A] on the 27th of July at 6:30 local time (Sunrise). We arrived at the Cap at 09:30. Descending towards the coast, we noted many villages close to the coast.
As we started the search, going northwest bound, it became apparent that there were villages just 200-300 Meters of the shoreline. Different from the northern part of the country, where the fishermen live right on the shore. One reason for that would be the rough sea I guess. We spotted the first vessel after 5 Minutes, Offshore going towards Fort Dauphin. (small freighter).
We paid special attention to the requested Areas, without any unusual signs. Most stretches of the shoreline are not further than 100-400 Meters away from the next road, that typically would run parallel for a few kilometres. From Oratoire to Androka [B] the beach is 100-300 Meters wide and rising, so we paid special attention to the first rows of Trees and bushes, since they represented the first possible cover. Also this beach represented a perfect "Signal area" since it was sloped towards us and had a good size. But we only observed footmarks leading to villages and to the boats on shore and tracks of cows, as I said apart from that, NOTHING unusual. In fact we haven't even seen any bottles or plastic bags or ANY other trash.
We have extensively checked the area Point Barrow [C]. S25 17 00 E044 20 Including all the reefs, which were partially covered by the high tide. Although covered, we were able to see as much as 10 Meters INTO the water since it was very clear. And if it was a reef that wasn't covered there were fishermen camping or living on them. We did check these camps just in case if they had retrieved any items from the sea, but we couldn't see anything that wouldn't be typical for their usual lifestyle.
The reefs stretch all the way to Andavadoaka [D]. S22 04 00 E043 14 00 Between the reef and the beach there is very heavy traffic by the local small transporters. (Dugouts with Sail's). Off Shore up to 20 Miles out and more there are big Fishing boats, towing nets. (We were always able to see at least one.)
We had a fuel stop at Tulear [E - aka Toliara] at 12:00 for one hour.
Following the coast further up north didn't bring any changes except that we had to go out a few miles now and then to check the reef groups that were up to 7 Miles out. But we always returned to the point from which we had left the coast, to not miss out any stretch. The only thing that we ever observed that was not a local fishing boat or a big ship, was a dead Whale floating 8 Miles out with it's tail "in the air".
We have searched all the Islands and reefs at [F] S18 50 00 E043 50 00
Our overnight stop was in Maintirano [G]. Here we found Mr. Alexander Smith. (See "Weather report") The next morning we were delayed due to a small technical problem.
We departed Maintirano at 12:00 to continue. At this Point the Water within 1/2 mile of the shore was very dirty and it was not possible to see anything in it but the tide was low. Also the number of fishermen and villages dropped. But the number of Fishing SHIPS increased significantly. At this point we were 4 people on board.
At the position [H] S17 18 00 E044 03 00 We spotted 3 Markers on the beach. Structures up to 3 Meters height. (pieces of wood supporting a standing pole) they were about 100 Meters apart. two of them had pieces of a 'local' fishing boat at the base. Blue and White. (The Planks were about 30 cm) one of the pieces had a number on it. TO(U)7900 We passed it 6 times and that's the best we could make out of it. There was no sign of life around. I think it is a mark from the local fishermen for the areas were they have a net as a warning for passing boats. I have seen similar signs before. We were about 10 minutes in the area which would have given some time for a reaction. But we couldn't spot anything else further in the bush. (not even foot trails)
As we turned back east (Cap Saint-Andre [I]) the water was clear again and the number of villages along the coast increased. We continued the search until the position at which we started the search on the 21st of July (Mahajanga-Diego) [J]
We returned to Antananrivo at 17:00 the 28th of July. My personal opinion is that it is VERY unlikely that there would be a boat or even parts of it anywhere on the west coast of Madagascar without anybody noticing. There is a lot of traffic of the coast and a lot of traffic inside the reefs. Most Islands have Fishing camps and even the sandbanks are used for fishing by the local fishermen. We have spotted numerous shipwrecks but all of them big metal vessels. (30 Meters and more) but no small ones. ALL of them very old. The only white people we ever spotted were right on the cap saint Marie but they had a car at the beach and were just a few hundred Meters away from a Beachfront Property. Also there were 5 or 6 of them. Both Days we were operating under the influence of a high pressure system so the visibility was extremely good.
I hope this report is of any help. Please let me know if there are any other factors that you would like to know about.
Jakob Adolf
MAF-Madagascar