On May 30, 2023, Sesario Sewralur, a skilled seafarer hailing from Satawal in the Yap region, set sail on a remarkable journey from Palau, demonstrating the art of traditional navigation. As a Grand Master Navigator, Sesario relied solely on natural guides such as ocean currents, wind direction, and star orientations, rejecting modern navigation tools like GPS and radar.
Originally intending to visit Woliea and Guam on his sailing itinerary, Sesario modified his plans due to unforeseen delays and the recent devastation caused by Super Typhoon Mawar in Guam. Consequently, he decided to limit his voyage to the islands of Yap, Satawal, Saipan, and then return to Yap before reaching his home port in Palau.
This extraordinary expedition is organized by the Micronesian Voyaging Society in collaboration with Palau Community College, with the primary aim of preserving the invaluable knowledge of traditional seafaring. Sesario emphasized that the training program combines classroom instruction with open ocean teachings. From August to December, students participate in classroom sessions to acquire theoretical knowledge, followed by a practical application of their skills on open ocean voyages from January to May.
In addition to the students, the open ocean training initiative welcomes volunteers from Palau, Yap, Saipan, and Japan. These training sessions are available to all individuals interested in learning and upholding the esteemed discipline and art of Traditional Micronesian Navigation. To express interest or learn more about the program, Sesario can be contacted at sesariosewralur@palau.edu or patricktellei@palau.edu.
By undertaking this awe-inspiring voyage and sharing his wisdom, Sesario Sewralur is actively contributing to the preservation of Micronesian seafaring heritage and ensuring that future generations inherit the remarkable skills of our ancestors.
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