AHOY! Newsletter
October 2021
October AHOY!
Member Program Launch Safe Haven Success. Down Under Dash
On The Horizon Voyaging Vanuatu
Win Wine!
COVER IMAGE NC2V Rally participants with Vanuatu Authorities during VIP inward clearance at Aneityum Island Vanuatu 2019
Member Program Well Received Since launching our membership program 4 weeks ago 50 people have become Down Under Rally Members! ABOUT OUR MEMBERS The member base already comprises a diverse mix which is great. We have some very experienced cruisers who we have met along the way, some who are relatively new to cruising and some who are in the very early stages of planning and are yet to buy the their first cruising vessel. The majority of members are from the East Coast of Australia with 19 from QLD, 18 from NSW, 7 from VIC, 1 from WA. A few internationals cruisers who hale from the following countries have also chosen to become members. Canada, USA, Switzerland & New Zealand. Of those members who already have a cruising vessel the mix of vessels stands at Sailing Multihull x 24, Sailing Monohull x 19 & Power Monohull x 3. MEMBER FEEDBACK We are also pleased to have already received some great feedback from members who have already benefited from discounts on purchases made from our rally partners. In addition we have some wonderful reviews from those of you who have been watching our Offshore Cruising Preparation Videos including the two below:
"We found your Offshore Cruising Preparation Course very useful for knowing what equipment we should put on our boat for cruising and we are now aware of the processes and procedures we should put in place to keep us safe! (and sane) " John & Carolyn -October 2021
"The Down Under Rally Online Offshore Cruising Preparation Courses is Absolute Gold! It’s a must have resource for really anyone looking to head offshore into the South Pacific either alone or as part of a rally. John outlines all the important tips and tricks he has learnt from his extensive experience in this part of the world. There’s all the stuff you’ll never get from a Yachtmaster course. Well worth the investment and easy to watch." Anthony - October 2021
Member Burgees and Cards
A big thanks to David Stone of BATO FLAGS who has been busy packaging & posting our Down Under Rally Burgees to our new members
A Down Under Rally Membership makes a great gift for someone that already has everything!
Benefits of Membership Discounts & Special Offers all year round on a wide range of marine related products & services from participating rally partner businesses & sponsors. Unlimited Access to our Offshore Cruising Preparation Course. Watch the course content as often as you like for as long as you are a member. Access to our Members Only Portal. This is where we share articles and stories that we believe to be of both interest and of use to anyone that owns a cruising yacht. Down Under Rally Burgee. e-Help. Contact us via email, telephone or even via video conferencing as often as you like for advice on anything related to your vessel, your cruising plans and goals. Plus assistance and support when cruising in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. Priority Rally Registrations. Our rallies have a maximum number of participants. DUR Members will get advance notification of rally registration opportunities to help avoid disappointment. Discounts on all Down Under Rally Registration Fees Access to our Members Only FaceBook Group. Being a member of this group will provide you with the opportunity to interact with other Down Under Rally Members, many of who will have a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share about all things sailing & cruising!
Full Membership $125.00 AUD Per Year downunderrally.com/membership
Safe Haven Success! During 2020 The Down Under Rally, in collaboration with Guy Chester of the Ocean Cruising Club invested considerable time, effort & resources in the pursuit of a solution to the challenges faced by the international cruising community as a result of border closures both here in Australia and the various SW Pacific Island Nations. As a result of these efforts an avenue to apply for a Safe Haven Travel Exemption to enter Australia by Yacht was created. The focus of this exemption is on providing a safe haven for yachts currently located in the SW Pacific islands that wish to relocate to Australia prior to the commencement of the cyclone season. Unfortunately the timing of the creation of the Safe Haven exemption category was not great and for many who were hoping to come to Australia before the commencement of the 2020/21 cyclone season it was too late for them to make the voyage. In addition reports from vessel owners filtered back to The Down Under Rally about the application process being confusing and arduous which resulted in them either giving up or having their applications rejected. As a consequence of these reports The Down Under Rally decided to seek the assistance of an immigration agent who the vessel owners could engage. The result was Greg Bowler, a licensed immigration agent and keen sailor himself agreed to assist with applications on behalf of those who chose to engage his services. To make a long story short, several vessels owners took our advise and appointed Greg as their agent. Greg has since been working with the owners and crew members of a number of vessels located in Tahiti & Fiji for several months. His persistence along with the patience of the vessel owners, the assistance of the Down Under Rally and Guy Chester from the Ocean Cruising Club has paid off. In the past 10 days Safe Haven Travel Exemptions have been granted to several vessels that are in Tahiti & Fiji with more expected to follow in the coming days and just in time for them to make the voyage to Australia. This news come as a huge relief to most as most were not excited by the prospect of spending another cyclone season in these locations. More Information about applying for a Safe Haven Travel Exemptions and Greg Bowlers contact information can be found at:
downunderrally.com/safe-haven-travel-exemption-information
Join the 'Dash Down Under' The purpose of the Down Under Dash is to assist the crew of vessels that have been granted SAFE HAVEN TRAVEL EXEMPTIONS to arrive in Australia during 2021. Despite what you may have heard to the contrary arriving in Australia by sea is a relatively simple and straightforward process PROVIDED YOU ARE WELL INFORMED & WELL PREPARED. If you have received the relevant approvals to voyage to Australia from the SW Pacific and your intended port of arrival is Brisbane, you should strongly consider joining the Down Under Dash.
Down Under Dash Participants Receive: Support, advice and accurate information from the Down Under Rally organisers about sailing to, arriving in and cruising in Australia. Our Comprehensive Guide to Entering Australia by Yacht which is specific to the Port of Brisbane, containing arrival waypoints, route information & much more. Our Comprehensive Guide to Australian Customs and Biosecurity: This guide provides instructions on preparing the vessel and crew for customs, and biosecurity inspections. Proper preparation of your vessel is key to minimising the fees charged by the Department of Agriculture for the biosecurity inspection. On passage support in case of an emergency along with updates regarding any changes to arrival / Quarantine procedures (ability to receive email whilst at sea required) We are locals and have extensively cruised the East Coast of Australia. Our knowledge of this coast is of great value to visiting yachts. We will be on call when you arrive in Australia and throughout your entire stay to assist in any way we can.
Down Under Dash Entry Fee $350.00 AUD (non members) $225.00 AUD (members) MORE INFORMATION AT
downunderrally.com/down-under-dash
On The Horizon Some thoughts on what might be possible in 2022
The most frequent question I am being asked at the moment is: "Will The Down Under Rally be running the Go East Rally again in 2022?" If what we are hearing from the media is true, it sure sounds like Australia will re-open our international borders in the very near future. What a reopening of our borders will look like as far as which countries we will be open to and which countries will be open to us remains unsure. What is also unsure is what will be expected of us when we return to Australia. What is certain is that cyclone season is almost upon us and as such it will not be until May next year before it is prudent to be sailing east from Australia. May is 7 months away and if we have learned nothing else over the past 18 months we have learned that things can change very quickly. If indeed the Australian Government ban on international travel is lifted and remains lifted is just one part of the equation. New Caledonia and or Vanuatu must also follow suit in order for us to be able to offer the Go East Rally. At this time there is no definitive indication as to when that might happen. We are however optimistic and as such are in the very early stages of planning the itinerary for a Go East Rally in 2022 with New Caledonia and Vanuatu as possible destinations but time will tell. Be assured that if you are a Down Under Rally Member you will be among the first to know!
Voyaging Vanuatu On Thursday the 28th of October 2021 the Down Under Rally in conjunction with our rally partners Multihull Solutions are hosting a Destination Vanuatu Webinar.
You are invited to register for the webinar even if you can't watch it live as it will be recorded and you will receive a notification when the recording is made available so you can watch when it suits you! Your presenters are John Hembrow of the Down Under Rally & the truly remarkable Richard Chesher, author of The Rocket Cruising Guides to New Caledonia & Vanuatu
REGISTER AT: multihullsolutions.com.au/events/live-webinar-destination-vanuatu
Win Wine!
Become a Down Under Rally Member before October 31st 2021 and you will be in the draw to WIN a Medley Pack valued at $186.50 from out newest rally partners Greenskin Wines !
The Greenskin Wines Medley Pack includes one x 750ml pouch of each of the following: 2020 Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2020 Margaret River Chardonnay 2020 Margaret River Rosé 2020 Great Southern Pinot Noir 2019 Margaret River Syrah 2018 Margaret River Cabernet Merlot
PLUS As a Down Under Rally Member you will get 10% off every order you place with Greenskin Wines!
downunderrally.com/membership
Rally Partners
For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors
AHOY! Newsletter Published by Down Under Rally Pty Ltd Contact John Hembrow - Director www.downunderrally.com email: admin@downunderrally.com