21-Feb-2006 -- It was our first ever visit to the Eastern Cape, and there just happened to be one last remaining confluence point along this stretch of coastline. We stayed in the small coastal town of Gonubie. The confluence point 33S 28E lay only 4.3 km off shore from where we were staying. Why was this the only remaining unclaimed confluence point along the west coast...? There had to be a reason!

Matthew, Brenda, James and Nick Taylor started their quest at 08h42 on the morning of 21 February 2006, patrolling the beaches from Gonubie to Nahoon, and finally into the docks of East London, trying to find a willing seaman to help us fulfil our strange request. Here we came across Sailor Extraordinaire, John Barry from Port Marine Services. We negotiated a rate, then he and a mate, Patrick Gee agreed to sail us to our requested point.

We set off at 10h49, there was a bit of a swell but nothing that could stop the intrepid travellers conquering their quest. With the feeling of nausea knocking at the door, we arrived just after 12h00. There was no resident sea monster, no Bermuda triangle, and no shallow reef that was going to damage our boats hull. Sailing over the spot the first time we were close, but we were looking for that perfect "Hit", so attempted another, and another after that. As it happened, our first was the closest we were going to get (33° 00.003'S 28° 00.000'E).

After the jubilation of conquering our quest, the nausea set in, and I spent the next hour and a half feeding the fish from the back of the boat. To add insult to injury, we had to wait another half hour to allow a bigger ship into the harbour... just what I needed. All together a whole bunch of fun... Get out there and conquer!!!

In the ocean, 3.7 km from shore.