issue 09
Cruise News
February 2022
Newsletter of Island Cruising NZ
Inside: My first coastal passage Customs TIE extension ends Upcoming Events South Island Rally Pacific Circuit Rally
Island Cruising NZ Contact Us Viki Moore Email info@islandcruising.nz Website www.islandcruising.nz Phone +64 21 438 977 Facebook www.facebook.com/islandcruising.nz
on the cover Lesley & Alex Stone in Te Ana Marina, Lyttelton on the South Island Rally. Photo by Viki Moore
photos and news contributions are welcome
issue 09
In this issue February 2022 From the Helm The latest update from Viki.
Upcoming Events Check out what is coming up for cruisers around the country.
Pacific COVID Update The latest news relating to the maritime border closures.
Safety At Sea Some thoughts from a former Navy Officer
My First Coastal Passage A crew members perspective from the South Island Rally
Rally Update Plans afoot for upcoming rallies to the South Island, Pacific & Japan.
Sustainable Sailing Tips on how to be a greener yachtie.
Club Connection ICNZ links around NZ & the Pacific
Pirate Party in Akaroa on the South Island Rally
From the helm It is hard to believe we are half way through February now, this year is going to race past! I've been having heaps of fun with the South Island Rally crews, you can check out some more photos of our adventures in the last month. We certainly picked the best time to be down South. We've had glorious weather in Stewart Island while the rest of New Zealand has been getting drenched! Next stop - Fiordland! The South Island Rally has had a few challenges
I am excited to announce that Topsail Insurance
too. We've had two helicopter transfers - a broken
has come on board as a rally sponsor and have
ankle on shore & a heart attack, two tows back to
given us a great deal on Bluewater insurance
port - loss of power & broken steering, issues with
including discounts for the boat and crew
communications setups & AIS, quite a few broken
insurance.
bits and trips to the various chandleries. Everyone is fine and all the boats are still in one piece, but it
Dalwyn from House of Travel is also a sponsor of
highlights how important it is to have the right
the rally. Dalwyn will be able to assist with crew
training to deal with any situation that comes
logistics and getting your friends and family to and
along, having backups if systems fail, and making
from the boat while you're up in the Pacific. We will
sure everything is working 100% on your boat
also have some packages for if you want to head
before you head off to sea.
up to the Islands and charter a boat instead of sailing up this year. Watch this space!
What has been so valuable is the camaraderie between all the yachties. Being able to share ideas
Our friends at Oceania Medical, Global Dive and
lend a hand and ask questions. Of course I am
Skipper Training are working hard to get everyone
always on the end of the phone to help find extra
through the Marine Medic, SCUBA and Advanced
crew, source information, send spare parts and
Sea Survival Courses. They also offer some
make suggestions & connections.
excellent discounts for our members on courses and Cat 1 Medical Kits.
Our cruising preparation workshops help to step your way through all the little (and big) jobs to
PredictWind are also one of our major sponsors.
complete before you go offshore or on a long
They will be running our rally tracker and helping
coastal voyage. You can join us for just $75 per
with the weather forecasts for the yachties while
annum to take part in the workshops and get some
they're at sea and cruising around the Islands.
incredible discounts from our partners. Cater Marine is offering up to 15% discount on The Pacific Rally plans are coming together and
safety gear and other marine items from their
we have now got over 20 boats registered to
incredible selection of products.
depart in May for Fiji. Things are looking promising with New Caledonia as an optional add on after
Hunting & Fishing have generously donated some
Fiji as well.
awesome fishing gear to go in the rally goody boxes.
If you are thinking of joining us for the Pacific, I recommend you sign up early. The rally includes a
Radix Nutrition are providing some of their
huge amount of information to help you get
incredible dehydrated meals to keep the rally
prepared for the adventures ahead, so by signing
participants fuelled on the passages and they are
up early you can take advantage of all the content
also giving a great discount too!
and the excellent discounts we have on offer with our generous rally sponsors.
We are also partnering with the amazing teams from Sea Mercy Fiji and Byond Disaster Relief.
These
organisations do amazing things in the Pacific, and it also helps yachties make more meaningful connections with some of the local communities that we visit. Rally participants can volunteer to help take useful aid supplies up to the islands and help distribute to remote communities if they wish.
I have got a few more exciting sponsors & partners to announce in the next few weeks. Watch this space or on our Facebook page for more details!
If your business is keen to join in and promote your amazing products to a group of yachties who are actively preparing to go offshore this year, please get in touch!
A few of the boats on the Pacific Rally are keen to take on some crew to help do the ocean crossings. If you are interested in coming along, please drop me a line and I can give you some more information about joining our CrewSeeker list.
In March I am excited to be helping out with the Media for the Central Triangle Race. Starting in Wellington on the 4th March we've got a fleet of around 10 boats competing either two handed or fully crewed down to Akaroa. We are having a French themed party there, before the race re-starts and heads up to Napier. There will hopefully be some time to visit some of the amazing wineries up there, before restarting again and heading back to Wellington. It should be lots of fun.
I was humbled this month to receive the Ocean Cruising Club award for the work I have been doing to help some of the yachties that have been stuck in NZ - and overseas throughout all the COVID border closures. There has been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes from a large group of people who were also recognised for their efforts. More info here.
Thanks for reading the monthly newsletter. If you enjoy our content, please also join us! For just $75 a year you can become a part of our awesome community and get a lot more content and assistance. We'd love to have you part of our group of amazing sailors.
Happy sailing and thanks for all your support!
Cheers
Viki
Painting by Laurie Brunot
#SouthIslandRally2021
#SouthIslandRally2021
#SouthIslandRally2021
#SouthIslandRally2021
#SouthIslandRally2021
www.parkermarinegroup.co.nz
09 437 7051
info@nzmarinedistribution.co.nz
Proud sponsor of the South Island Rally
Thank you! To our South Island Rally Sponsors
Thank you! To our South Island Rally Sponsors
Become a member of Island Cruising for just $75, and get a free digital subscription to Boating New Zealand! Join online now: https://www.islandcruising.nz/register
Safety At Sea By John Butcher
The Question What kind of protocols (Royal NZ Navy) have I brought through to my own sailing…? The Answer… Hello fellow sailors, cruisers, and adventurous people who seemingly love being on the water. Viki has asked me or tasked me to write about the ‘protocols that I have or may have brought across from my naval practices to my own sailing’. I would like to take the ‘writing about protocols’ quite liberally, and so here is a set of thoughts about staying safe at sea. Some Background To give you context, my naval background spans over three decades and I first learned to sail, at the age of 13, through the foresight and kindness of my father. I recall sitting in the cockpit of my father’s yacht in Patterson Inlet (Stewart Island) after a latter edition of the Bluff to Stewart Island Race and answering the question, ‘so what are you going to do, John’. The sight of the Navy Lake Class Patrol Boat leaving Patterson Inlet at the time, was the catalyst for some thinking. If we fast forward now to 30+ years later, and several thousand Nm at sea as an Officer of the Watch, Navigating Officer, and in various Command appointments and finally now as the Navy’s ‘Fleet Navigation Officer’, with a passion for giving back after all those years, I think that I’m able to answer Viki’s questions.
Let’s Go to Sea Fundamentally, and I will caveat everything I say with ‘there but the grace of God, go I’; the naval protocols or behaviors that I have transferred into my personal seagoing or sailing practices would be primarily shaped by professional curiosity, discipline, routine, a sea sense and wariness and a willingness to remain teachable; albeit these attributes or traits and behaviors also stem from a blended personal leadership style. A few gems or systems that might prove useful for you include some TLA’s (Three + Letter Acronyms) – where would a story from a current (ex) military guy be without a few TLA’s… I like to operate under an ‘operating philosophy’ of Safety, Fun and then Results. Embedded within and connecting Safety and Fun is Communication. Here we go… let’s consider: Communicate, Operate, Navigate and Administrate (CONA) or however you wish to arrange (remember) the letters for the actions. We shall ask ourselves: ‘How am I Communicating, Operating, Navigating and Administrating’ as I go about my ‘business of being at sea’? At sea, we are ‘doing’ routine stuff, e.g. Communicating (as the Skipper, with the skipper and within the crew and/or within the fleet if cruising together), Operating (keeping a proper watch, trimming the sails, doing running repairs), Navigating (knowing where we are now, knowing where we have to be, figuring out where we want to be and when, and therefore being operationally, situationally and navigating aware… the weather is the player here) and Administrating (keeping a Deck Log, running the boat’s routine or ‘battle rhythm’ – watch routines, knowing when and how to capture the weather forecast – the right weather forecast via the right system or communications medium)… and the list of tasks is not exhaustive. However, all of this ‘stuff’ is only ‘routine’ or ‘fingertip’ if we are experienced, knowledgeable, current, skilled and we remain teachable. Expectations – On Ourselves and On Our Crew Sometimes, we take a while to get back into the mode or regain our sea sense, and it’s important to acknowledge this situation individually and collectively. Self-awareness and self-leadership are true enablers for a functional boat and crew. However, we should also be mindful of attaining and retaining best practice and those ‘standards’ by which we keep ourselves (and others) safe. We need to be mindful of our expectations on our crew, but we should start with our expectations on ourselves. If we create that most amazing environment onboard whereby every day is a learning day through great communication, then we’re in for an amazing ride. Principles of Watch-keeping I will not take the opportunity to quote Books of Reference or copy extracts from doctrine or policy; moreover, I will comfortably share with you some personalized best practice tools and techniques. I like to group this sort of ‘thinking’ or ‘best practice’ into Planning, Procedural Preparation and then finally Execution. We’ll keep this at a reasonably ‘high level’ and drill down as required to illustrate or amplify specific areas. I am a firm believer in: ‘On Watch is on-watch – nothing is more important than keeping a proper lookout by all available means, internally and externally’. Administration A useful tool to have onboard for your newly joining crew or for your long-standing crew, that includes you as the Owner (s), is a Vessel Data Book or Standard Operating Procedures (the SOP) for ready reference or for prereading as a new joiner. I have realized that as a boat (yacht) owner, if I document my systems, and keep the information at a high level, that (1) it will be read and not ‘looked at with OMG glassy eyes’ and (2) it is easy to maintain.
A diagram of the location of the various systems with brief ‘Immediate Action’ or IA Drill level instructions often makes the difference. If we consider the Navigation System (everything onboard can be defined as a system): the Navigation System includes: Wind Speed and Direction, Speed Log, Depth Sounder, Tiller Pilot (Auto Pilot), Steering Compass and the Chart Plotter. This ‘system’ can be illustrated or described by a simple diagram, showing how and where each sub-system is connected, just enough so that we understand the interdependencies and where the redundancies exist. However strong knowledge of a system would be demonstrated through knowing the different modes of steering via the Auto Pilot. When you are standing a Navigational Watch, you need to know a few things about your tools: What are the tools that I need? Binoculars, charts, instruments, electronics, Log, Depth, RADAR, Chart-plotter, Nautical Almanacs, Light Lists… Speed / Time and Distance calculator (or can you do it in your head)? Where are those tools? Location of each piece of kit and how it is operated day and night and what are the redundancies…? When will I need to vary / shift / change the tools? Shifting from ‘day to night’ settings… Why – because professional curiosity is simply… ‘professional’. Who is in my team and where are their strengths? How do I lead this team? Whither: what’s happening ‘down track’, say 20 Nm, where will the vessel be, what will the weather be like, am I handing over a safe and well set-up ‘Watch’? this is about looking after each other. Normal and Abnormal Sounds An alarm sounds – is it a routine alarm associated with the routine operation of a sub-system (the LPG system has just been switched on and the Gas Detector is initiating and checking for gases. Is the alarm a XTE (Cross Track Error) or WS (Wind-Shift) alarm as dictated by your Navigation system tolerances. Is the alarm a low House Battery alarm? It is important to know the source of each alarm and the required sense of urgency for each alarm. We must avoid ‘alarm tolerance’ whereby we can become complacent about system alarms – professional curiosity must prevail. Managing the Unexpected How are we placed to deal with the unexpected? A good practice for all crews, including crews that sail together regularly (including ‘couples’) and those newly formed crews is to ‘talk and walk through’ the IA Drill for the ‘worst moment at sea’ (MoB). Note that I have used the words, ‘talk and walk through’. Is a ‘quick chat’ about ‘what do we do in the event of a MoB’, enough to satisfy you as the skipper, that the crew will be partially or fully capable of giving your recovery their best shot? Aid Memories It’s useful to have a set of Check-off Cards and Emergency Cards – these need to be kept at a high-level or they will become the ‘Lesson Plan’ on how to be a crew member. They are an enabler for being a good crew member. At sea, in any vessel, there are similarities and there are differences. Let’s focus on the similarities. Example: Man Overboard or Person Overboard the dreaded MoB or PoB… MoB: IA Drill 1. Raise the alarm – internally and externally (consider a MAYDAY or PANPAN call), [COMMUNICATE] 2. Deploy (throw over) the horseshoe life rings and constantly indicate the MoB in the water, [OPERATE] 3. Mark the Plot (yes, the Chart-plotter MoB function button), [OPERATE] 4. Manoeuvre / get control of the boat for recovery (manoeuvre), [OPERATE and NAVIGATE] 5. Recover the MoB / PoB, and [OPERATE] 6. Administer first aid. [COMMUNICATE and OPERATE]
All of the above is simplified / more complex with the presence or absence of PFD’s, the wind and sea state, the speed of your vessel, and is less likely to occur when the crew is tethered to your vessel. Let’s briefly consider speed: Yacht’s speed through the water: six (6) knots Distance yacht will cover in three (3) minutes at six knots: 600 yards (3 cables, 3/10 of a Nm). 1 Nm = 2000 yards). Therefore, in one (1) minute, you will be 200 yards from the MoB if you have continued on the same course and speed as when the incident occurred. 200 yards… 183 metres – 17.4 boat lengths for me… if there is a reasonable seaway then it’s quite hard to see the MoB from a distance; and hence… marking the plot, deploying the orange or red horseshoe life rings and getting control of the boat (the kite is up, there’s a few strings involved)… so we have ‘a bit on’ and all the time the MoB is getting further astern, however it’s still daylight… If you have one Emergency Card: have the MoB E-Card laminated and affixed to a bulkhead and grab the Emergency Card when the unexpected happens.
Navigation My learnings over the years have confirmed a few hot tips for me when navigating at sea. 1. Never believe in one source of information for your navigational position. 2. Be curious – and welcome curiosity in your work. We all make mistakes, no matter how experienced we are. 3. Have a navigation plan – even if it’s between A and B. You might then be caused to appreciate what will ruin your day between A and B. 4. Know where you were, know where you are, and therefore know where you will be, and when. 5. Train yourself and your team to relate the paper and electronic chart to the picture ‘out of the window’. 6. Employ the LOTFW method of Navigation. Are the buoys in position (considering scope of their chains and the state of the wind and tide)? 7. Have the right people on watch at the right time – e.g. in complex navigation / collision avoidance situations / approaches to a Harbour / pilotage or confined waters – stick the experienced people on watch or in the right positions… 8. If something looks bad, smells bad, and / or feels bad – it’s probably going to be bad. 9. Create a culture of professional curiosity and accuracy. 10. Know your capacity before you run out of capacity.
Operations Some more hot tips… Tell the Captain (Skipper), tell the watch and tell the crew… Communication is key – share information; have a handover log or ‘state board’. If something breaks or is showing signs of breaking – tell each other… weather information, how is the boat handling, have you changed anything (sheet, car or control line settings), traffic – how is the traffic around you behaving? Collision Avoidance Regulations. Know your Rules of the Road at Sea. Do you have a thorough and instinctive knowledge of the COLREGS / ROTR and can you apply the ROTR instinctively and practically, day and night? Communications and Leadership Be present within the team as the Skipper or crew member through your presence. Promote learning and teamwork through being the ‘listening listener’. Assess, intend and attack. ‘What’ is the situation, what is the implication (the ‘so what’) and what is the solution (the ‘what now or next’)? Strive to create a team of Didgeridoos and work on the Didgeridon’ts… Final Words In summary, I have been blessed to be able to enjoy a professional career that has complimented my passion for sailing and being at sea. I’m a firm believer in that for me to ‘keep what I have, I must give it away’. Viki might just ask me to write some more… I wish you all a willing opposition and some sea room.
Island Cruising NZ Providing cruisers with support, education & connection Social Connection Running yacht rallies around New Zealand and the South Pacific Environmemt · Organising social events, activities and social media networks · Running a sustainable and environmentally · Learning about and being respectful of the cultures we visit sensitive organisation · Promoting positive social impact, community engagement and · Supporting local and global environmental long-lasting connections with the people we meet initiatives to protect the Ocean and the places we visit · Encouraging sailors to be eco-conscious and reduce their impact on the environment · Promoting Citizen Science projects aimed at ocean health Support · Being an inclusive, diverse and supportive community · Advocating for and assisting sailors in need · Advice on immigration clearances & formalities · Yacht tracking and shore crew support ·
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Education Assisting sailors to prepare themselves, their vessel and crew for long coastal or offshore voyages · Promoting Safer Boating initiatives · Being a rich pool of knowledge, support and resources for cruisers · Encouraging upskilling and good seamanship
Collaboration · Supporting the strategic direction of Yachting New Zealand · Forming strong relationships with yacht clubs to promote longcoastal and offshore races, rallies and cruising events and activities · Promoting Safer Boating and good seamanship alongside Coastguard and Maritime New Zealand · Partnering with Down Under Rally to promote cruising in the South Pacific
Communication · Producing a regular newsletter to keep cruisers informed on the latest cruise news, upcoming events and promoting partner products & businesses. · Promoting the New Zealand Marine industry and providing a positive and mutually beneficial connection to their target market · Encouraging and welcoming international sailors to New Zealand
Crew
SEEKER
Join our CrewSeeker page! Members can access our website where you can add yourself as crew and skippers can have a look for people when they're heading away on a passage. There will be lots of crewing opportunities to the Pacific next year, so if you are interested in being a crew member, you can fill out the application, join up to Island Cruising and get your details listed: https://www.islandcruising.nz/resources/crewseeker You'll also get access to our cruising preparation workshops where you'll learn all sorts of things like safety, navigation, passage planning, seamanship, how to write a sailing resumé, and more. To increase your crewing chances, it is also worth doing the Sea Survival, Offshore Medic & VHF Radio courses and other qualifications such as Boatmaster - remember you also get some great discounts with your Island Cruising membership too.
Registrations are now open! More information on our website t
Pacific Rally 2022 Registrations are now open for our Pacific Rally! Rally to Fiji & New Caledonia Departing in May, cruise to Fiji where you can enjoy exploring this stunning part of the world, at your own pace. Make your way up to Musket Cove for Fiji Regatta Week. From there, we'll sail to New Caledonia, before heading back to NZ in October. There will hopefully also be the option of adding a stop in Vanuatu if it opens. Fiji Regatta Week If you are just keen to sail up for the Fiji Regatta week in September, we can help with that too. Some of our amazing Sponsors Deals 10% Discount from Topsail Insurance Fishing Tackle from Hunting & Fishing 20% Discount from Predict Wind Free digital subscription to Boating NZ Magazine 15% discount from Cater Marine Food, smoothies and discounts from Radix Nutrition Discounts on lines from Nautilus Braids Discount on Sea Survival course with Skipper Training Discount on Cat 1 Medical Kit from Oceania Medical Passage Guardian service Discounted flag package from Bato Flags Discounts on charts & cruising guides from TransPacific marine $300 discount on watermakers from Open Ocean Discount on Hydrovane Discount on SCUBA courses with Global Dive Discount on Marine Medic courses with Oceania Medical Discount on VHF Course with Coastguard Boating Education House of Travel - crew transfer service Special deals at the marinas
Register online here!
Rally Inclusions Assistance getting prepared to go offshore through our Cruising Preparation Workshops. Helping get you, your crew and your vessel ready for Cat 1. All the content is online with regular webinars and weekly email content. Assistance with all the administration and paperwork with going offshore. We make sure you know all the current rules and regulations and are there to help. The services of a Professional Weather Router on the longer passages. Radio scheds and checkins with Gulf Harbour Radio & Passage Guardian. A comprehensive Rally Guide for each destination packed with tips, places to go, local contacts, cultural considerations, and much more to help you get the most out of your voyage. A rally pack and goody bag with local information, sponsored products, discounts and more. Discounted charts and cruising guides. Discounts to help get your boat ready from all our supportive rally partner businesses. Welcome to Fiji & Social events and activities along the way. A PredictWind Rally Tracker 20% discount on your weather routing subscription with PredictWind Assistance with getting crew and changing crew with House of Travel Shore crew support if things go wrong. The option to participate in environmental and charitable projects. The flexibility to cruise with your friends or do your own thing - the choice is yours. Full refund if COVID border closures means you can't go offshore.
Register Now
Radix Nutrition is our latest sponsor of the Pacific Rally. They provide delicious meals, ideal for when it's rough or when you need to refuel on the go. Quick, easy, nutritious, delicious. Radix meals will be provided in the Pacific Rally goody packs. Discounts for Island Cruising members too. Click here to order - discount code SAILNZ2022
Hydrovane How Easy are they to Install? By Sarah Curry of Hydrovane International Marine
How easy it is to install a Hydrovane? It must be the easiest windvane to install. There is considerable flexibility in where you choose to install the brackets – unlike most other windvanes that require absolute precise positioning. The two brackets are holders for the shaft, which should be aligned vertically – not a gravity vertical, but ‘boat vertical’ – aligned to mast and keel. There are only 4 or 6 transom bolts required, and most of the bracket castings have hinges to allow you to find the easiest and most natural position. Use of strong backing plates and ensuring that your transom has no flex are important. Takes a day – but double that because it is a boat project! 2 or 3 transom flanges require 4 or 6 bolts Considerable flexibility in the location of the flanges Bracket struts can be cut down to the length you require Unit comes almost completely assembled
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www.hydrovane.com
My First Coastal Passage By Debbi Miall
Our Christmas Holiday was all booked; a lovely relaxing 10 days in Wellington. I had a clear picture in my head snoozy mornings, walking along the beach, leisurely coffees, restaurants for dinner. PERFECT. But I came home from work one day to be informed by a very excited husband “hey guess what, great news we are going to be crewing on a yacht for the Island Cruising South Island Rally over the Christmas break”. Now anyone who knows me will know I enjoy sailing, but I am still a nervous sailor, so all number of thoughts were going through my head, least of all what’s going to happen to my holiday relaxation. “Oh, don’t worry” said Nick “we can do that anytime, this is going to be great!”. But I’ve never done a big coastal passage, I’ve never done a night watch on my own, what if we get on a boat and the skippers bonkers, what if ,what if ,what if. Just keep telling yourself this is going to be great. Well Guess what – it was fantastic. We were contacted by Tony Whiting, after he reached out to Viki Moore for crew. He was planning to sail his 47ft cutter rig yacht Taranui III from Auckland to Stewart Island down the east coast of New Zealand in three legs. He already had crew for the first leg from Auckland to Napier but needed crew for the next two legs Napier to Stewart Island via Lyttleton. So on the 27th December after 3 days of relaxation, we flew to Napier to meet Tony and Taranui III for the first time. We spent several hours chatting and getting to know each other. Tony was fantastic, such vast sailing experience and knowledge. I’m sure he was weighing us up as to what we knew what we didn’t know. And then there it was the discussion of night watches, Tony would go first 10.00pm – 12.00 then me 12.00 – 2.00am, Nick 2.00am -4.00am and so on. I headed off to bed at 7.30pm. Did I sleep? you ask, absolutely not, I was going over and over in my head what I would need to do if there was too much sail, if I saw an obstacle in the water, if, if, if, and suddenly midnight had arrived.
“You got this one Deb” I muttered to myself. I leapt into the cockpit, like a duck - serene on the top and paddling furiously away underneath. But what a magical night. The moon was shining, the stars were bright and the luminous bubbles on the water were amazing and the icing on the cake - a dolphin swimming along the starboard side of the boat. At that point all my worries disappeared. We continued to make good progress over the next day. It was a little lumpy whilst crossing the mouth of Cook Strait with the different directions of the swells. We kept a check on the weather conditions (thanks Bob) and Nick had spent most of the day on the lookout for whales with no luck. Finally we caught a sight of a whale in the distance, at that point where was Nick – in the head – yep he missed it and we did not see another one the rest of the trip. The next day Nick caught his first Tuna off the back of the boat, which made up for the loss of the whale sighting. We had a treat for tea that night. In just over two days and nights we reached Lyttleton, Taranui III had developed problems with the autohelm on her way down to Napier, and the decision was made to stop in Lyttleton and change the autohelm before progressing any further south. On the 2nd January we set sail for Stewart Island. During the days sailing we would sit together talking and Tony would be giving us sailing tips and advice, his depth of knowledge is truly amazing. We soon settled into a routine. The boat was so well set up that everything could be controlled from the cockpit. It was not unusual we learnt for Tony to sail it singlehanded. There is something to be said for standing on the sugar scoop stark naked in broad daylight having a nice warm shower – wonderful (obviously no photos of that experience). We continued to enjoy good weather, spectacular sunsets and a few squalls on the way and we were keeping at a speed of between 7 and 7.5 knots. Buts It’s interesting how the wind always seems to get worse at nights and I was convinced it was when it was my time to go on watch.
One night as a southerly front approached, and the wind was intensifying, I could hear the water slamming against the boat as I was waiting to go on watch. “Oh don’t worry” I told myself, you’re a pro at night watches now. Back on watch at midnight, no moon, no stars it was as black as your hat. I sat watching the instruments all I could hear was the water bashing the boat, wind speed increasing by the minute up to 28/29 knots and gusting, straight at us, then it would swing in a totally different direction. My two hours seemed to be taking forever. We had a full set of sails up, all the winches were motorized so I talked myself through the steps of what I needed to do to reef the sails take the sails down, but we had a reacher up and I was unsure how to get this down. As the wind shifted, I altered our heading to try and help keep the boat steady. To keep myself calm I decided it would be a good idea to position myself so that I could see inside the cabin, possibly pray and try not to pay too much attention to the wind speed indicator, all of a sudden Nick pops his head out of his bunk and says “do you need a hand?”, I have never been so pleased in all my life to see my husband. I handed over with the details of what was occurring and then left him to it. I threw myself into my bunk and held on as the wind got stronger and stronger. Next thing I know Tony is waking me up for my dawn watch, the wind had decreased, and it was a magical sunrise. I sat with Tony, and we talked about the night, he talked me through the reefing of the sails, taking the reacher in that occurred after I had gone off watch, how I adjusted our bearing to help. My knowledge, understanding and confidence had all increased in the space of a night. I had wondered how on a 5 to 6 day and night sail you would keep yourself occupied, at the start of the journey I had packed a couple of books to read, at the end of the journey they were still in my bag untouched. I found the days are filled with sailing the boat, learning and understanding. Honing our chart plotting skills, learning from Tony, and he makes the best French toast, maple syrup and bacon breakfast. Standing on the deck looking out to sea with no land in site is a truly different experience. It seems to give you a feeling of inner peace. We watched the seals lazing on the water one flipper in the air. We watched with amazement the magical Albatross swoop round us and then land right next to us they just kept coming. The dolphins as they joined in the movement of the boat.
As we approached Stewart Island the seas were extremely calm the wind was light, and I then realised it was all coming to an end very quickly, there was an air of excitement on the boat from the boys, I heard talk of blue cod and chips and a pint at the pub. We had sailed just over 800 nautical miles. We spent a couple of days on the boat with Tony, we explored Ulva Island, getting back and forth in the tender. Getting the boat ready for Tony’s family to arrive for their cruise around Fiordland and then all too soon it was time for us to depart and flyback home. I would like to say a massive shout out to Viki Moore for sending Tony our way and of course to Tony a very special person. We had a blast and Tony if you ever need a crew again just say the word.
For Sale Sea Anchor Para 24 foot Hatteras Model .Complete System - never used (thankfully!) so in excellent condition. Suitable for vessels from 40 to 90ft Came off a 50ft 20 tonne cruising yacht. Comes with 150 metres of 16mm nylon braid complete with thimbles and primary float and retrieval line and float Adds considerable peace of mind to ocean passages. $1600 billmathews.21@gmail.com
Business For Sale Westside Rigging Fiji A fantastic opportunity to secure an established rigging business in Fiji. Located near Vuda Marina, comes with lots of stock, plant & equipment plus relationships with rigging wholesalers and the local & International yachting community. Contact mothership@connect.com.fj
Most of us are blessed with the health, education, and economic development infrastructure that is available to the majority of our population, but in the South Pacific, there are no roads, power lines, or phone systems to connect the smaller, less populated, islands to these same services offered on the more populated, primary islands. These remote islands are left without even the most basic of services creating an incredible disparity between the remote islands and primary islands in terms of overall health, education and self sufficiency. To add to the challenges, there are also no disaster response platforms available to deliver international aid to these remote islanders following a natural disaster. With earthquakes and tsunamis in the South Pacific becoming a yearly event, the need for disaster response aid is even more urgent than ever. Providing these necessary health care, education, economic development, and disaster relief services to the thousands of South Pacific remote islands is the very reason that Sea Mercy was created. Island Cruising is proud to support Sea Mercy Fiji and Byond Disaster Relief. Rally participants will be invited to help transport useful items to the Islands and distribute to some of the more remote destinations with the support and guidance of these two organisations.
Partner Clubs
For Sale Laurie Davidson Cavalier 45 hugely regarded New Zealand off shore cruising yacht,
Pacific ready to sail away. Cat 1 specifications, immaculately maintained with extensive improvements, constructed to Marine Survey standards, solid GRP hull, Yanmar turbo charged 110hp diesel, new 2019 low hours, still under international warranty, new rigging Sept 2021, boom furling mainsail, new heavy duty furling gib, all new hatches,new Vesper Marine AIS, new Echopilot forward facing sonar, 2 x Raymarine chart plotters with NZ, Aust, Pacific charts, radar, hydraulic auto pilot, new 2000w invertor, 5 x 105amp house batteries, 1 x 80amp start battery, 2 x Ctek battery chargers, 480w solar panels, emergency radio battery, 12v built in auto flushing water maker, EPIRB, Iridium Go sat phone, more extensive inventory on request. Asking $300,000 View on Trademe here
Upcoming Events
Offshore Marine Medic
Two-day Offshore Medical Course customised to provide students with the basics required for Offshore Cruising. Course also covers a handover of the Offshore Medical Kit (CAT 1) and how to use it. MORE DATES BEING ADDED TO THE WEBSITE SOON!! Location: Oceania Medical, Unit 5, 23B westhaven Drive, Auckland Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm $295.00 for Island Cruising members $325.00 for non-members Register online https://www.oceaniamedical.co.nz/collections/offshore-medical-training
Advanced Sea Survival Course A comprehensive theoretical and practical course for crew requiring an offshore, category 1 certificate.
Whangarei 5 - 6 March 12 - 13 March 30 Apr - 1 May $360 for Island Cruising members (please use the discount code in the members newsletter) $400 for non-members. www.skippertraining.ac.nz 0800 546 9700 info@skippertraining.nz
Why Join a Rally?
Island Cruising have been running yacht rallies in the Pacific since the 1980's, and over that time we have helped hundreds of yachties achieve their sailing dreams. Rallies are fun, you get to meet the people who are heading your way and make new friends with sailors who share your sense of adventure. You can choose to cruise with others, or head off and do your own thing. There is no pressure to stay together if you prefer to sail independently. Island Cruising helps you get prepared to go offshore. Our online cruising preparation workshops give you tips & tasks each week to help you tick off the requirements for Cat 1, getting you, your boat and your crew ready for the voyage ahead. We arrange Sea Survival and Marine Medic courses. We also help with the ever changing rules and regulations of the places you are visiting and the paperwork involved. Our rally guides are packed with local knowledge and advice to help make your voyage a success. We can help find crew if you need some extra pairs of hands, or if you need your boat delivered without you on board, we can help connect you with people who can make this happen. Safety is important to us, we provide weather information, trackers, radio scheds, liaise with the Rescue Coordination Centre, and are there for support and back up if things don't go to plan. We know the locals- so if you have any issues while you are away we can help you get the support you need. We give you advice on the local customs and regulations so you can make meaningful connections with the people you meet. We've got amazing sponsors who include some incredible discounts on all the gear you need to go offshore, as well as providing special goodies and giveaways in your rally packs and social events along the way. In short, Island Cruising is here to help make your voyage safe, fun and enjoyable and we are here to assist you achieve your sailing goals and adventures, the way you want to do it. Become a member of Island Cruising for just $75 a year. You can join on our website: www.islandcruising.nz
Learn to dive before you go cruising!
5% Discount for Island Cruising Members
Located in the Westhaven marine village - at 132 Beaumont Street, Auckland. Global Dive specialise in providing a full range of support including a highly regarded service department for all your dive servicing needs as well as a retail store with a full range of high quality gear and rental dive equipment. Global Dive are Auckland’s specialists in underwater photography equipment and Technical diving, including CCR support and training. They run a full range of recreational and technical dive courses and conduct dive tours with an extensive knowledge of NZ dive destinations. Whatever your equipment, servicing, training or dive travel needs Global Dive can help make it happen. +64 (0)9 920 5200 info@globaldive.net www.globaldive.net
Cyclones & Tsunamis Summer Sailing Adventures In New Zealand by Greg Campbell We were well into our evening sitting in the saloon with a cup of tea and a few squares of chocolate as we watched sailors we follow on YouTube. We didn't note the actual time however I would estimate around 10pm our 42ft Roger Simpson Catamaran started to behave very unusually at anchor. We were in Indigo Bay, Urapukpuka, Bay Of Islands. This is a relatively shallow bay and perfect place to be sheltering from the threat of Cyclone Cody. It is sheltered from Northerly, Westerly and Easterly winds. After the boat swung back and forth on anchor a couple of times, with what sounded like the anchor chain rubbing against the hull, we grabbed our torches and went out on deck to investigate. It was very dark with cloud cover stopping the majority of the moon light. As we shone our torches around on surrounding boats we noticed they were lying in different directions, given the moderate wind over the hill into the bay this was very unusual. This added to the confusion of what the hell was going on. After a few moments on deck the boat swung in towards the shore then moments later turned around and swung out again. Our boat plus the two others anchored nearest to us ended up reasonably close together all facing slightly different directions. Concerned with the potential risk of colliding, we took the precautionary action of Mandy taking the helm & starting the engines (Mandy normally helms our boat) and turned the chart plotter on so we were ready to move if necessary. After the boat swung in towards shore and out again we began to build a picture of what was going on. Given that we were prepared to put the boat into gear it was important to identify where the anchor chain was lying. We kept hearing what sounded like the anchor chain running down the side of a hull, concerned about this, I observed the chain for a while and found it was spending 80% of the time under the boat, which naturally was concerning. (Having spent time thinking about this... If the boat is being pushed around by a current then yes, the anchor would be following the boat around, hence spending 80% of the time under the boat.) At this stage we realized we were experiencing tidal surges and during a brief phone conversation with a friend on a neighboring boat I mentioned there had been a volcano eruption in Tonga around 5pm and that this could be the cause. At the time it seemed far-fetched however the only potential explanation. As we continued to swing in and out with the anchor chain spending most of its time under the boat it became obvious it was far too risky for us to engage the engines or attempt lifting our anchor. As each surge came through the boat would follow the flow then snatch on the anchor and spin around. The noise of what seemed like the chain against the hull appeared to be caused by the anchor bridle going between the hulls and the chain loop to the bridal would shift and change position on the rollers making a noise in the process, at least this is what I put it down to.
Mandy noted on the boat log we were traveling up to 3 knots at times and the tidal rise and fall was up to .8 of a meter. At this stage we noted a number of mono hull boats pulling up anchor because they had dragged and were coming a bit too close to neighboring boats. Some of them chose to re-anchor in a more exposed part of the bay giving them a lot more swing room. Because of the moderate to strong winds it didn't feel like a great option to anchor in more exposed deeper waters. Because of the threat of Cyclone Cody we had laid 40 meters of chain out beyond the bridal snubber in an average depth of 3.5 meters. During the event our neighbors on a 60ft motor-cat had to move due to getting uncomfortably close to a rocky outcrop in the middle of the bay. They moved into an open area exposed to the wind and rode out the night in the choppy sea. Around 12:30am Mandy offered to stay up on watch for a few hours before we swapped. Things had settled by 2am so Mandy made the call that no further watch was required & came to bed. In the light of day I could see we had indeed dragged anchor a short distance, not completely unexpected given the amount of surge. I have to say, in the moment It wasn't easy deciding what the best plan of action was. Gradually pulling up the anchor was probably our best option however if it caught on a prop we would have been in serious difficulty.
Online Workshops for Island Cruising NZ Members
Are you Offshore Ready? Our cruising preparation workshops have kicked off but it is not to late to join in the fun. Island Cruising NZ members will receive weekly emails with tips and suggestions on how to go about getting prepared for a long coastal or offshore voyage. There will also be webinars, downloads, and in person get togethers. You can start any time, and work through the topics at your own pace. Join in any time. So far our workshops have covered off some key topics:
Some of the topics coming up: Navigation COLREGS Passage planning
1. Getting organised - a system for storing all the information for your Passage Plan, Safety Manual, Maintenance log, Important Documents, Boating
Provisioning Safety gear Diesel engine basics Fuel systems
Qualifications and more 2. Your vessel information - a template for collating all the specifications of your boat 3. The Cat 1 & 2 Regulations
Servicing winches Checking your rig Anchoring tips Sailing at night EPIRBs
4. Boat Registration
VHF/AIS
5. Reporting Incidents
Communications
6. Insuring your boat
Man Over Board
7. VHF & MMSI
Fire Flooding
8. Meteorology - Forecasts 9. Communication options at Sea 10. Rig - rules for Cat 1 & 2 11. Sails for offshore - the Cruising Wardrobe
Abandon Ship Preparing a Grab Bag Meteorology Tides Docking
12. Fire Safety
Plumbing
13. Anchoring
Electrics
14. Your Maintenance Records
Batteries
15. Provisioning
Charging systems Keeping healthy
16. EPIRB's 17. Your sailing resumé
Sail trim & new sails Boat registration Taking on crew
We are work our way through the Safety Regulations
Dinghy tips Fog signals
with some tips on what your vessel needs, advice from
Biosecurity
experts and some great discounts on the gear you
Seasickness
need to have on board.
Coping in emergencies Security Skipper responsibility
There is lots coming up! Hope you can join us.
Log keeping Search and Rescue
Join in any time, there is lots to cover off, and starting early means you can tick off a lot of these jobs for
Steering Heavy Weather Sailing AND MUCH MORE!
getting you, your vessel and your crew ready for a long coastal or an offshore voyage.
Become a member now to join in www.islandcruising.nz
Discounts for ICNZ Members!
Pacific COVID Update The NZ border is still closed unless you are a NZ Registered vessel, with NZ crew or have an exemption. Fiji, New Caledonia and French Polynesia are planning on re-opening their borders to vaccinated sailors. More details below... New Zealand The borders are still closed unless you
NZ Air Border
Tonga
are a NZ registered vessel with NZ
The NZ Air border is opening to
Tonga's maritime border is closed
crew or if you have an exemption.
international travellers later on this
until further notice.
year. We are hoping that the same When sailing to NZ, people should
rules will apply to the maritime border
Samoa
plan their journeys so that as much of
as well. More information on when
International borders remain closed
the isolation period (10 days) as
you can fly in here.
until further notice.
possible can be completed at sea. If
know when we hear any updates.
We will let you
Australia
the vessel arrives prior to having observed 7 days of isolation,
NZ - Biosecurity Reminder
The maritime border is closed. Only
everyone on board will be required to
Remember you need to ensure that
Australian citizens, residents and
go into a Managed Isolation Facility
your hull is clean and free from any
immediate family members can enter
(MIF) in Auckland. For those arriving
marine growth before you arrive in
Australia by sea. All crew must be
on day 7, the remaining days can be
New Zealand.
isolated in mandatory quarantine. accommodation for 14 days on arrival
observed on board at Opua port in Northland.
Fiji
You must provide arrival information
The 10-day self-isolation period
Fiji is open to international travellers
in advance.
begins following the last point of
and sailors from December 2021. Down Under Rally and the Ocean
departure or contact the vessel has had with anyone that is not already
They are looking forward to
Cruising Club have been working with
on board.
welcoming us on the Pacific Circuit
an agent in Australia to get safe
A small number of New Zealanders
Rally this year!
haven exemptions. For more information click here.
have indicated that they may return home to New Zealand from Australia
Vanuatu
by yacht, and may take passengers
All ports of entry are closed until
Niue
on board in order to avoid time in an
further notice. But we also have plans
The Niue border is closed to all yachts
MIQ facility by serving their 14-day
underway to visit Vanuatu on our rally
until further notice.
self-isolation period in the Tasman.
next year if the borders reopen.
It is a breach of New Zealand’s
Watch this space!
French Polynesia Boats with fully vaccinated crew can
Maritime Transport Act to charge any passengers that may join a vessel for
Cook Islands
enter French Polynesia. If you are
this purpose.
While the Air border is reopening, the
interested in sailing to French
The safety of everyone on board
Cook Islands Maritime border is still
Polynesia next year, please let us
should be top priority. Vessels need
closed. People who have been in New
know.
to be adequately crewed for the
Zealand for 14 days can fly in to the
voyage while the vessel and
Cook Islands without quarantine.
I
safety standards. Skippers must
New Caledonia
Non-NZ citizens are still not permitted
comply with Australian Maritime
The air border is open to vaccinated
to enter NZ via air to access their
Safety Authority regulations to
travellers from approved countries.
boats. Some have chosen to ship
equipment on board must also meet
nternational Cruisers In Europe with Boats in NZ
their vessels home or sell them here in
receive the necessary clearance before departing, such as ensuring
We are looking forward to visiting
NZ. Others continue to wait for the
passenger numbers comply with the
New Caledonia on our Pacific Rally
borders to reopen.
boat’s capacity and safety
and for the Groupama Race in June -
equipment. Vessels must also comply
more details to come.
Join Sailors with COVID Immigration
with any regulations that may apply
Issues NZ Facebook group for more
from the vessel’s country of
information.
registration. Anchoring off the coast is not permitted.
Island Cruising NZ Become a Member · Whether you own a boat already, are planning on buying one soon, have dreams of sailing offshore someday, or are considering sailing to New Zealand, preparing for a voyage requires that you, your crew and your vessel are knowledgeable, equipped and fully self-sufficient. Island Cruising NZ can help you navigate through all the preparation, administration and coordination of a long coastal or offshore voyage and welcome you to the South West Pacific.
For just NZD$75.00 per annum you will receive: Services, information and advice for long coastal and offshore cruisers and racers. Newsletters and regular updates. Exclusive member tips and steps to help you prepare for a long voyage. Access to exclusive discounts from some of the best marine businesses in New Zealand and the South Pacific. ·Social events, great cruising community connections, activities and rallies. Mentoring, training seminars and webinars. Access to our extensive database of local knowledge and advice about sailing in the South Pacific and New Zealand. Assistance with navigating the ever changing customs, immigration and health requirements for cruisers. Advocacy and support when things don't go to plan.
Combined knowledge and connections with the Island Cruising community. Crew matching service for skippers looking for crew or crew looking for a boat.
Join online at www.islandcruising.nz
Island Cruising NZ is proud to partner with Rocket Guides Cruising Guides for Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Rocket Cruising Guides have expert local knowledge on Anchorages, Routes, Marine Parks, Marinas, Yacht Agents, slipways, yacht repair facilities, supermarkets, marine hardware stores, welders, fitters, sail makers, internet, mobile phones, and more.
Island Cruising NZ Members get a 10% discount on these amazing cruising resources
Publicity, marketing & communications www.marinevoice.net
Clive Bennett clive.bennett@seaboatsbrokers.com +64 27 494 9799
Sailing yacht Finot 53 This is a stylish comfortable cruising yacht, safe and very easy to handle with a quality finish. Zahir is from the drawing board of Jean Marie Finot who is one the premiere naval architects in the world. His Goupe Finot includes designs for both Beneteau and Oceanis. 2018 upgrade – new rigging , new Dacron mainsail, new Dacron Jib, new deck with antiskid Kiwigrip, new solar panels, new fabric Bimini and spray hood. Full specifications can be found here.
81ft Luxury Caribbean Sailing Yacht
The Doug Peterson Performance Schooner was designed for long range cruising and built in Guernsey by Aqua Star. It is fully airconditioned and features 5 ensuite queen staterooms. Currently operating as a successful lifestyle charter business. This magnificent vessel was built to endure the world’s oceans and upgraded with the latest technology. On the wind she reaches speeds of 8-10 knots and off the wind can exceed 22 knots. Purchase with option to operate your own Caribbean charter business anywhere from Grenada to the Virgin Islands. The yacht is offered with a British Virgin Island corporate limited company, for tax advantages plus an active Charter Agent. Currently receiving $24K US Dollars 8 people for one week. Owners also have a safe and secure location to haul out during the off season. If required an out of water survey can be completed in Trinidad or Martinique. View online here.
CITY OF SAILS MARINE YACHT BROKERS – New and Used Boats For Sale – Motor Yachts – Power and Sail – Classic – Multihulls – Launches – Trailer Boats – Marine Products We are based in Auckland and offer offer a very wide selection of recreational and commercial boats of all types, both new and used. We are full service yacht and boat brokers – with the emphasis on service. We also offer a number of marine services and products, including loan finance, and market and insurance valuations. WE’RE SELLING BOATS – AND WE NEED NEW LISTINGS! We get results, so talk to us now about listing your boat for sale – we promote your boat through a number of websites and other outlets, including overseas as appropriate. Phone us any time: Blair Harkness, Mobile 021 245 8809 http://www.cityofsailsmarine.co.nz
DOCKLAND 5 Marine Ltd The perfect place to carry out boat repairs & refresh before your next adventure with haul out & hardstand facilities on the beautiful Whangarei Harbour. John Peagram Manager Mob: 0274 930 812 | Phone: 09438 8558 | Email: john@dockland5.co.nz
With the combined world-wide experience and technology at UK Sailmakers, we can provide the most advanced sail designs, construction, cloth selection, and hardware for the durability and comfort of your boat together with any custom canvas work you may need. You can be assured at UK Sailmakers Phil joined by his team that all your needs will be listened to and you will be provided with excellent materials, first class workmanship and service. www.northlandcanvas.co.nz Open Ocean Watermakers has been manufacturing watermakers in the beautiful Bay of Islands of New Zealand since 2001. Terry Forsbrey is the owner of Open Ocean. He and his wife Ariel lived aboard their yacht for 22 years and actively cruised offshore for 12 of those years. During their time on the water, Terry discovered that high tech components in a watermaker are not only unnecessary, they are usually the first thing to break down, and most often in remote locations. When helping out other cruisers, he frequently found that by-passing these components would get their watermakers working once again. That's when he realized that a simple, reliable, and affordablewatermaker could be made. Terry developed the early version of an engine driven model and took it cruising. He put it to the test for five years. He then returned to New Zealand to design and build a reliable watermaker without any superfluous gadgets. Thus was born a revolutionary new concept in watermakers. One that works all the time, is easy to operate, and doesn’t break the bank. Island Cruising NZ members get a $300 discount on a new water maker from Open Ocean! Check out their website
If you're heading further afield...
Island Cruising NZ Join us! If you have a quality product or service aimed at the cruising sailor, and you would like to advertise in our next newsletter, we invite you to join us to become a partner of Island Cruising NZ. We will work together to showcase and promote your business to a targeted, qualified audience, and in turn, provide our members with information, training and advice on great deals and the best products to suit their needs. We have options to suit every marketing budget! contact us for more information info@islandcruising.nz