B.- Sailing Along Strait Of Magellan Or Drake Passage - Hp Directemar

1. - ROUTES DESCRIPTION

The Southern tip of South America, where Cape Horn is located, present 2 routes that link the ATLANTIC OCEAN and PACIFIC OCEAN;

- the STRAIT of MAGELLAN, and

- the DRAKE PASSAGE

This information mainly deals about inner route of Strait of Magellan. The route throughout Drake Passage is outside of the compulsory Piloting zone and is not commonly use by Pilots

The oceanic route of Drake Passage normally is affected by bad weather, where winds of more than 60 Knots, and waves of 10 to 12 meters height are very common.

A TANKER NAVIGATING DRAKE PASSAGE

Another point to considerer is that the distance, for vessels sailing from the Western Atlantic Ocean which decide to cross the Drake Passage, passing East of Isla de los Estados, from a point 30 nautical miles East of Punta Dúngenes to a point 30 nautical miles West of Islotes Evangelistas is 765 nautical miles. The distance between these two points sailing throughout Strait of Magellan is 390 nautical miles shorter. In other words, 42 hours less of navigation, at average speeds of 9 knots (considering normal bad weather conditions). (See following graph).

The following picture shows the route and distance from a point SE of Isla de los Estados, for vessels heading to Drake Passage, coming from Europe, Northern Africa or Norteastern Brazil. The sailing distance is 534 nautical miles.

It is interesting to highlight that, in August, 2004, after some previous experiences at Drake Passage; the US Navy planned the transit of Strait of Magellan of the Aircraft Carrier USS "Ronald Reagan". This naval major unit navigated the route assisted by Chilean Pilots, uneventfully, safely and without difficulties. This Aircraft Carrier has 345 meters length overall and 70 meters of breadth.

AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ¨RONALD REAGAN¨

Also, in February 2006, the passengers vessel Queen Mary II, of 345 meters length overall and a breadth of 41 meters sailed the Strait of Magellan with Chilean Pilots onboard, for the first time.

PASSENGERS SHIP "QUEEN MARY II"