Robinson Crusoe Island

600 km due west of Valparaiso lies today’s destination. The 800 residents of this 16 km long by 6 km wide Chilean island support themselves through lobster fishing and tourism. Our visit to the island depends strongly on the wind and sea conditions; we will use our tender boats (i.e. lifeboats) to ferry us from the ship to the pier and back. If the seas or winds are too strong, an excursion can not take place. 

The captain found a calm spot just outside the harbor in the wind shade of high cliffs. The water was too deep (300+ meters) for anchoring; the captain let the ship drift, nudging it now and then with the thrusters.  Three tender boats were lowered quickly into the water, and one went to shore to ascertain conditions at the pier.

After a long discussion with the harbor master, and anxious studying of the clouds billowing over the hills into the town, the captain aborted the planned outing. Our disappointment was palpable. We, the guests, saw no problems with the wind or the seas. 

The tender boats returned to their rigging on the ship, and the captain set course for a cruise around the island. 

Several hours later, it was reported that the harbor had fogged over and the winds there were Beaufort 8. 

We‘d have had no problem getting to land, and doing a walk-about. But we could not have returned to the ship. 

Stranded on a lonesome island in the Pacific. Great idea for a novel!