Those shoals are indicated on even the widest views of the Indian Ocean... As I mentioned in the thread below, they show up on the freakin' GLOBE I have on my desktop, after all... (grin)

What will be just as important in the eventual analysis/debrief to gaining an understanding of how this happened, is finding out exactly what occurred aboard DONGFENG, as well... They admitted to a navigational "mistake" that cost them 2 miles distance sailed, and had to gybe at the last minute to safely clear Ile de Sud... They cut it FAR closer than any other boat, but had the good fortune to arrive there in daylight, when they could see the island and reef. If they had arrived there after dark, who knows? Sounds like they were never looking at their paper, either. To me, the comment I've bolded below is absolutely astonishing:

That was the reflection of Charles Caudrelier just after passing the Cargados archipelago. Shortly after we gybed, a bit later than our closest rivals, right at the time of the big wind shift, but without anticipating that this shift would be so strong that it would take us onto a direct route to the island.

A little moment of hesitation during which we asked which side we should pass.

“A small navigation error which cost us two to three miles.” It could have been worse.

Charles had noticed this archipelago a few days ago. But it’s worth noting that it’s actually pretty hard to find. In fact, to see it on our electronic charts, you have to zoom right in on top of it. But how and why would you zoom into it if you don’t know it’s there in the first place?

Interesting to note, that Wouter's post has been scrubbed from his Facebook page... Of course, it will never disappear from the internet...

Just a hunch, but perhaps the lawyers or insurance boys might have something to do with that? Hmmm, I'm starting to get the feeling we may not ever learn what REALLY happened out there, after all...