Traditional Polynesian Canoe Tries to Sail the World Without GPS
A 25 year old replica of a traditional Polynesian canoe is being sailed around the world without the use of modern navigational equipment. This voyage is intended to try and understand how sea-faring Pacific Islanders were able to explore the oceans, discover and settle islands more than 3000 years ago. However, there are some very important lessons that apply to us in our efforts to prepare for disaster and become more self-reliant.
“We Want to Learn”
One of the points that is trying to be made in this voyage is not to prove that it can be done, rather that the crew “wants to learn” how to do it. This is a remarkable statement, because it calls attention to an art and skill that is slowly being eroded. We rely on GPS, satellite navigation, digital communication and many other forms of technology to get us to places faster and safer. However, we’ve lost a very important skill-set along the way.
Stellar navigation at night and using the sun, clouds, waves and ocean currents to navigate were essential until recent times. People have used these methods for ages up until the recent past. As technology takes over, these skills seem irrelevant and antiquated. Consequently, very few people are capable of using rudimentary, yet highly-accurate navigational methods to get from point A to B.
One of the points of this voyage is to prove that using a simple ship, based on designs that are thousands of years old are still applicable today. Learning how to do it is going to enhance the skills of the various crews that rotate in and out of the more than year-long voyage. This knowledge can then be passed on to others.
Safety First
It is worth mentioning that the ship does have navigational, communication and plenty of emergency equipment on board. Locator beacons, survival kits, sturdy life rafts and satellite technology are at their disposal. However, they use that only if necessary and as a way to maximize safety. So, these folks are not going on a “fool’s errand” in order to prove a point. This illustrates how there are always some things that we need in order to improve our chances of survival in case something goes wrong and we get into trouble.
What This Means for Us
There are really two lessons that we can take away from this voyage. First, we need to get back to basics and develop skills that can get us out of trouble if we ever are off-the-grid in a survival situation. This idea applies whether you find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere after a vehicle breakdown, get marooned in the wilderness or encounter some type of disaster.
Do you have skills that can keep you alive if other resources are not available? How will you navigate with the sun, sky and surroundings if necessary? How well can you “read” nature or your surroundings? How will you eat, drink, find shelter and protect yourself? All of our technological conveniences can go on the fritz with little or no warning, or maybe simply get lost or broken. You never know when these skills will need to be put to the test in the real world. Preparation and practice are essential in order to hone them and ensure that you can use them as needed.
The second lesson is that we should never set out on any type of “adventure” without being prepared to have problems. Always have a backup plan and minimal resources at your disposal that you can fall back on if something goes wrong. Obviously, whatever survival items you bring with will be relevant to your situation, but you should never leave home without something to back you up.
Finally, it’s important that others know where you are going, what you are doing and when you plan to arrive at your next stop. This simple act of communication has saved lives countless times, and it could save yours as well.
Make the time and effort to apply these principles in your preparedness efforts. Remember that skills and common-sense are just as important as supplies and gear. While you may not be sailing the ocean in an old-school Polynesian canoe anytime soon, you can still benefit from following their example by getting familiar with tried-and-true survival and navigation techniques.
