Pacific crossing attempt?

Question

I am writing a short story in which a group of experienced sailors attempt to cross the pacific from california to western samoa in a motor vessel. I have chosen the type of boat carefully based on calculations to do with fuel efficiency. But what I need help with is the conditions in the pacific ocean. what is the weather generally like in septermber/october? will they cross any shipping lanes and what is the likleyhood of them being rescued if they get into trouble?

Answer 1

If you do it in a submarine instead the weather will be of little importance.

Answer 2

October.  Well, that's hurricane season.  So yeah, they would be in potential deep doo doo once south of 20 degrees north.

As to shipping lanes, with GPS, almost everywhere is a potential shipping lane as ships take the straightest "great circle" route.  Take a globe and draw lines between the Panama Canal and Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.  Between California and Hawaii.  Between... well you get the idea.

Interestingly, experienced sailors might not be using the latest communications equipment (DSC) and might have a hard time attracting the attention of a passing freighter using the same radios that worked great just a couple of years ago.

Answer 3

the weather will be horrible and your going to kill them anyway!

Answer 4

A group of experienced guys may not have a problem on the way. A problem may come to unprepared team or boat. Wind or wave or shipping are not a problem now.

Answer 5

The weather is cool, occasional squalls, with force 4-5 winds. There are many shipping lanes between the major ports in the Far East (Tokyo, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore,) and major ports in California (Long Beach, SF, San Diego) and Seattle.