The Strait of Magellan: Our Ship Transit | Chief MAKOi

In my more than 20 years of seafaring, this is the first time I passed through the Strait of Magellan. Following the path taken by the intrepid navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, I can't help but feel awed by the courage that he and his crew exhibited in finding the passage west which led to the first circumnavigation of the world.

Trivia: Magellan was Portuguese, but Portugal declined his proposal for an expedition. Spain funded the expedition which solidified its prestige and maritime power. Magellan was killed in the present-day Philippines by indigenous people led by Lapu-Lapu. After his death, Juan Sebastian Elcano took the lead, and completed their objective of going to Molucas (Spice Island), filling their cargo holds with cloves, and returning to Spain using the traditional westward route through the Indian Ocean, thus performing the first circumnavigation of the world.

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In case you're wondering about the "poetic" tone of this episode, I used AI to generate the seemingly poetic parts to fill in the narrative. Most of the script is still mine. Enjoy!

Chief MAKOi
Seaman Vlog

[PhilRable]

Not many of us will get the chance to actually sail through this famous waterway. It was good sailing with you Chief.

[dinohermiesalud]

Congrats po chief! Sana all! Salamat po at nk gala ako,
Ingatan kau lagi ng Dios Ama

[timskiff]

Your use of language and the use of mariner lingo adds to your amazing story telling craft. You should be narrating for Discovery and National Geographic. Cheers to you and your crew for showing and reliving these voyages.

[dalemoss]

Youve teally gotta admire the bravery of Magellan and all the early explorers, doing that route in a tiny, round-bellied wooden ship, bobbing around like a cork with no idea where he was or what to expect. The man must've had balls of steel.

[jackiejanetm]

Chief Engineer becomes documentary film maker! Fabulous video! Safe travels to you and the rest of the crew!

[jonhickernell]

Many years ago I got to transit the straits while I was in the Navy, beautiful

[Maadhawk]

Those rolling seas remind me of when I transited the Bearing Strait as part of the crew of the USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716) back in 2005. We were transiting submerged at 400 ft below the surface and I can't even begin to imagine how rough it was up there. We were rolling pretty wildly at a level that is usually unaffected by surface weather. Aside from the rolling of the boat though, it was an otherwise smooth transit.

[hugolafhugolaf]

Your channel is the gold standard when it comes to both educating and entertaining. The editing, the narration style and rythm are all on point. Thank you sir.

[highline]

Thank you chief. Not that this was on your bucket list but no doubt this was a journey for the ages. Stay safe. Stay strong!

[FloridaJack]

Congratulations to you and your crew, Chief. Rights of Passage are important, especially to men far from home and family. Thank You, for sharing the event with us.

[tripletoro]

Amoust 20 years since I left the region and now I can see footage of the place where I grew up. I still remember the two times i had to cross the Estrecho de Magallanes and the weather make me realize I am not made to be a sailor. Thank you chief for make me remember good memories of the region.

[jerryodell]

During either 1962 or 1963 (can't remember which) when I was a sailor on the USS Canberra CAG-2, we got caught in a huge storm in the North Atlantic. The storm did massive damage to the ship. We were forced to limp into Rota, Spain for repairs before continuing into the Med for our tour of duty. There were times when trying to sleep, the ships lurch and roll threw us out of our bunks. In those days we had fold up bunks with chains on the outside. We learned to use one hand to grab the chains to hang on. My Wife said I would grab for the chains during the night many on many occasions in later life.

[yofre]

As an argentinian ex maritime agent I just can say thank you. I've heard the stories, I've spent time with crew members that talked about the passage, and I've seen celphone videos with low quality. This is something I really wanted to see in some way or another.

[boatsfra]

Maraming Salamat po. Godspeed Chief Makoi. May your journeys be safe and your holidays be spent with those you love...

[stevetuttle]

Absolutely amazing that Magellan and his crew with the limited technology they had, were able to make the voyage! Mad respect for the early explorers!

[stephenhope]

Thanks Chief, always look forward to your videos. I am an avid cruiser but I know your work is quite different. I love to see the great waterways of the world.

[rickmogk]

As a fellow that lives in Manitoba, Canada, it is very interesting to see places in the world and to visually experience the ocean. Your channel I find and enjoy very much. Thank you

[tsbrownie]

That's a convoluted route that takes serious and focused navigation! Very cool. Thanks for showing it.

[NatickJill]

I'm amazed that Magellan made it through with the twisty-ness of the passage, the unpredictable winds coming off the mountains, the unpredictable currents, and no idea what lay ahead!

[Inkling]

Joshua Slocum's account of his travel through the straits in a small sailboat is one of the best parts of his great tale. As the title of his books says, he was the first person _Sailing Alone Around the World._