Flotsam & Jetsam 19.12.25
Stories from around the world and the web to round off your year.
A Million Pound Chart
A map of the Mediterranean sea from the 15th century, painted by the Mallorcan cartographer Pere Rosell has ben put up for Auction by Sotheby's.
It is a “portulan chart”, which means that it was conceived as sailing aid, showing ports and coastal features, while the spaces in between look empty.
Its on vellum paper and in amazing condition, perhaps because for most of its six centuries, it’s remained in hands of the Florentine Martelli family, rivals of the Medici and who commissioned Rosell. to produce it.
Rosell signed the map in the right hand margin, in Catalan:
“Pere Rosell l'a fet a Malorqua en l'any 1447”
Rosell rarely left his Mallorcan workshop, and would have received the information through the navy, who brought him data about the ports they visited.
Although the map is astonishingly accurate along the Spanish, Italian, and Maghrebi coasts, (you can identify Barcelona, Mallorca, Venice, Ceuta, or Tlemcen), Rosell took liberties in the eastern parts of the Mediterranean, including major cities that have never had a port, such as Damascus or Jerusalem (referred to as “Holy Sepulchre”), and even cities that by his time had already become mere myths, such as Babylon.
Sotheby’s hopes to sell the cart for between £700,000 and £1 million and considers that given its content, it may be of interest to Spanish public institutions, particularly those in the Balearic Islands.
Best of British Buys
You might not be in Europe but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying browsing the latest selection of Classic Boats for sale on the eponymous website. The full list is HERE but below are a couple of nice examples to whet your apetite.
SPEEDWELL OF CREMYLL, 49’ YAWL
Designed Buchanan, built Mashfords 1962. Extensive refit and sympathetic professional modernisation 2018. Perkins diesel, equipped for long distance. Versatile accommodation and good for family or short handed cruising.
Speedwell competed in the two-handed Round Britain Race in 1970. For the race her original spruce rig was replaced with a heavier duty alloy rig which remains in place. During a stopover at Barra extended by bad weather, what became the Three Peaks Race was conceived over a few drams in her saloon.
She is well-known having been-operated for many years by Island Cruising Club from Salcombe, before being sold to an owner in Scotland. The present owner bought her in 2018 and she underwent a keel off refit at Gweek. The engine was rebuilt, and she was generally brought up to date for long distance or family sailing. The Perkins 4.236 drives a Featherstream four blade propeller. She has removable solar panels and an Osmosea watermaker.
The accommodation is versatile and comfortable, and she is easily sailed short-handed. The jib, stays’l and mizzen provide many options. She is a two-time winner of the RYS John and Kate Roome trophy.
Any reasonable offer considered.
Contact: David on 07793834424 or via david@bucksfield.co.uk
Mischief III
A stunning 1935 Harrison Butler yacht in impeccable ‘as new’ condition, offered by Vivid Blue Marine. Built by A.W. Clemens to a Yonne-class design of Dr. T. Harrison-Butler, this Bermudan cutter rigged sloop has a long keel and is a true testament to classic British yacht building.
Constructed in Old Portsmouth, ‘Mischief III’ was carvel planked in pitch-pine on oak frames. In 2012, she underwent a full restoration of such outstanding quality that she won Classic Boat Magazine’s ‘Restoration of the Year Award’. The high standard of craftsmanship is still evident today, from her rich varnished surfaces to her beautifully hand-finished fittings.
The current owner has thoughtfully modernised the yacht without compromising her vintage charm, adding a modern sea head, galley with a built-in fridge, and a retractable binnacle for the Garmin chart plotter. With four berths and a reliable Beta B2482 13.5HP diesel engine, ‘Mischief III’ is perfectly equipped for comfortable cruising.
A flawless March 2024 survey is available for review, confirming the yacht’s exceptional condition. For those seeking a classic yacht with both beauty and reliability, ‘Mischief III’ is a rare and exquisite find.
Winner of ‘Classic Boat Magazine’ Best
Restoration 2012, Voted ‘TOP 100’ Classics 2013. Looking for a new custodian £34,950
Contact: Contact: Jonathan on 07547042000 or via sellboats@vividbluemarine.com
Maritimo Katwinchar to Hobart again
Not only is Michael Spies one of Australia’s great sailors, (about to do his 47th S2H) he is also an exceptional writer. This week in Sailing Anarchy he discusses why, with a few hot boats at his disposal, he’s chosen to go again aboard the 121 year old 32 footer, and this time with a full crew. Throw in a dozen other fascinating explanations and observations and you’ve got yourself an unmissable article
Read the full story in Sailing Anarchy HERE
The Great Ocean Cleanup
This 15 minute video can sometimes come across as a little naive, but you have to admire the persitance and optimism of these young people. It’s a bad news story in terms of the problem, and I’m not convinced about the effectiveness of their solution, but you can’t doubt the ingenuity and commitment of the team working on this massive problem. Get behind them!
Filipino Fishermen v Chinese Might
At the start of 2025 I spent a few weeks in Palawan in the Philippines. In the largest town on the Island, Puerto Princesa, there were a series of murals that fascinated, me so I photographed then, not really understanding what they were about. (Click to Enlarge)
Reading this article from the Maritime Executive this week I’m starting to understand the issues. Fisherman in wooden boats verses the might of the Chinese Navy. Another issue to keep an eye on.
Filipino Fishermen Hurt as Chinese Push Them Away from Disputed Shoal
Several Filipino fishermen and their vessels were damaged on Friday, December 12, as the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia worked to drive the vessels away from one of the disputed shoals in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The Philippines Coast Guard responded to protect the fishing vessels and provide medical assistance to the injured fishermen.
China said it implemented “necessary control measures” to protect its territories. The shoal called Sabina (Escoda) is approximately 35 miles to the east of Second Thomas Shoal, which has been the focus of many of the disputes between China and the Philippines.
The Philippine Coast Guard is calling the Chinese actions “unprofessional and unlawful.”
The action began according to the fishermen around midday on Friday and continued for at least three hours, led by vessels of the China Coast Guard. The incident ended when the fishing boats had moved away from the shoal, but the China Coast Guard boats remained in the area, menacing the fishermen.
Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, said there were approximately 20 fishing boats in the area when the incident began. The Filipinos use large, wooden boats/rafts, typically each with 10 to 15 fishermen. It was estimated that 300 fishermen were working the area.
Two China Coast Guard vessels reportedly used water cannons and sirens in the effort to drive the fishing boats away from the shoal. Tarriela said it was the first time the cannons had hit the fragile fishing boats, but that the Chinese had used them in the past to menace the fishermen. He also accused the Chinese vessels of taking dangerous blocking maneuvers against the fishing boats.
The China Coast Guard also used small rigid-hull inflatable boats during the encounter. Tarriela claimed they were used to deliberately cut the anchor lines of the fishing boats. The Filipinos called it a dangerous action because of the strong currents and high waves in the area.
The fishermen assisted their fellow countrymen, towing some of the damaged vessels and evacuating some of their colleagues. They also took videos of the interaction, which were released by the Philippine Coast Guard.
The fishermen called the Philippine Coast Guard for assistance during the encounter. According to the report, vessels from the China Coast Guard undertook blocking and dangerous maneuvers in an attempt to prevent the Philippine Coast Guard from reaching the fishing boats. The Coast Guard said that one of the Chinese vessels came within 35 yards of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel during nighttime navigation.
The relief vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries reached the fishermen on Saturday morning. They are reporting that three of the fishermen had suffered injuries, including bruises and wounds. They provided medical assistance. In addition, two of the Filipino fishing boats were reported to have suffered significant damage from the water cannons. Tarriela said one of the boats had taken on water, but was drained after possibly suffering engine damage.
The Filipino forces also brought fuel, ice, food, and other supplies to the fishing boats. They distributed the aid to sustain the fishing operations.
The incident followed ongoing interactions between the Chinese and the Philippines’ coast guards. China has tried to prevent the resupply missions using similar tactics with the water cannons. They have also conducted dangerous maneuvers, which have resulted in the vessels bumping or colliding. In August, a China Coast Guard vessel, while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard boat, collided with a Chinese naval vessel, causing significant damage to the bow of the China Coast Guard vessel. There were reports that four Chinese sailors were likely killed in the collision, and it appeared the Chinese vessels were conducting a man overboard search.
Last Minute Presents
This year, with the full family gathering on Christmas eve we implemented a strict book only Kris Kringle I’m a big believer that a well researched and considered book, is the ideal present, (especially if it’s about boats!)
Here’s a list of favourites from 2025 selected by Katy Strickland at Practical Boat Owner
