Island Cruising Cruise News August 2021

issue 03

August 2021

Cruise News Newsletter of Island Cruising NZ

Inside: VHF & MMSI, Preparing for a Passage, Update from the Pacific, Letter from Thailand, Shackleton's Boat Journey

Island Cruising NZ Viki Moore

Contact Us Email

info@islandcruising.nz

Website

www.islandcruising.nz

Phone

+64 21 438 977

Facebook

www.facebook.com/islandcruising.nz

on the cover Esther Louise in Isle of Pines a few years ago Photograph by Viki Moore

photos and news contributions are welcome

issue 03

In this issue August 2021

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.

There's a Legend in My Shed Find out how the James Caird replica came to be in a Canterbury Shed

Are you Offshore Ready?

Online workshops for people with offshore sailing plans.

Rally Update Plans afoot for upcoming rallies to the South Island, Pacific & Japan.

Sustainable Sailing Tips on how to be a greener yachtie.

Do Good Things Strannik and Southern Right Whale in Port Ross Auckland Islands Photo by Scott Sinton Strannik Ocean Voyages

Tips on making positive connections with the community you visit

Club Connection ICNZ links around NZ & the Pacific

A Letter from Thailand Gina de Vere talks about her experience

VHF & MMSI Learn how to get the most out of your VHF

Island Cruising NZ

Providing cruisers with support, education & connection

·

·

Social Connection Environmemt · Running yacht rallies around New Zealand and the South Pacific · Running a sustainable and environmentally · Organising social events, activities and social media networks sensitive organisation · Learning about and being respectful of the cultures we visit · Supporting local and global environmental · Promoting positive social impact, community engagement and initiatives to protect the Ocean and the places we visit long-lasting connections with the people we meet · 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

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

From the helm

Kia ora koutou, it has been another busy month here at Island Cruising. Our Cruising Preparation workshops are now underway, we've got some fantastic new partners on board who are offering some incredible discounts to members, the South Island rally presentation is just about ready for launch and I am hopefully soon heading down to Fiordland for some adventures with the crew from Strannik.

I was planning on being up in

The feedback from the online

Auckland today and having a catch

workshops so far has been really

up tonight with our Island Cruising

positive. We are working our way

members, but of course that is now

through all the Safety Regulations for

off the cards. I hope you are all doing

Cat 1 & 2, and there are some

ok.

fantastic deals and discounts from our suppliers to supplement the

I have also been up in beautiful

weekly topics. If you are planning a

Marlborough recently training with

long coastal or offshore voyage at

the VM2 Racing, High Voltage crew

some stage in the future, you can

for the upcoming Waikawa Women's

make some amazing savings and

Regatta in September.

access all our cruising workshops and other sailing resources by just

This is a fantastic annual event and

becoming a member. It is very easy to

has been running for the last four

recoup the $75.00 annual joining fee.

years. Teams from around New

We have got some amazing new

Zealand gather together for fun and

sponsors on board this month,

social times off the water and

including Down Under Rally who are

fiercely competitive racing on the

giving ICNZ members a huge $70

water. You can read more about

discount off their cruising preparation

Waikawa Boating Club later in the

videos. A great way to upskill while

newsletter.

we are locked down. See more details in the newsletter.

The Down

It is also time for the annual haulout

Under Rally team are just back from a

here for my boat Wildwood.

'Beyond the Barrier" Rally. Check out

She

came out of the water on Tuesday

the colour of that water!

morning and is now trapped in the haulout yard until we're allowed back

See-LEVEL have also come on board

in again.

as a sponsor and will give a discount to ICNZ members on their amazing

It was disappointing to hear that

sea-sickness innovation. Check out

SailGP was declined space in MIQ, so

their website for more information. I

that has changed the plans for the

took part in some of their trials when

South Island rally somewhat. I've got

they were going through their R&D

a presentation underway that I hope

phase of this business, and I can

to be able to do over Zoom for all

confirm it really does work!

those who are interested in venturing South this summer in our South Island

I am crossing fingers that our

Rally.

lockdown restrictions are eased here in the South Island, as I have got a

We are also doing our first Zoom

trip planned down to Preservation

presentation tomorrow night -

inlet on the stunning Strannik.

Tuesday on the 2023 Rally to Japan.

Rodney, the owner of Strannik Ocean

It is the first time using this great

Voyages is a member of Island

technology, so please bear with us

Cruising and runs some stunning

while we figure out how it works from

itineraries around our remote

the drivers seat. More info on our

coastline. Check out his website

Facebook page if you'd like to join us.

here.

The team at Marine Diesel Solutions in Pine Harbour are also offering some excellent deals for members.

So if

you're having engine issues, give them a call!

We are planning on running some Marine Medic and Advanced Sea Survival courses around the country later on this year for anyone who needs to renew. Drop me an email to register your interest so we can try and get enough people in your area for a course to go ahead.

Later on in the newsletter you'll find some other fun lockdown entertainment, check out a very cool thing I've had stored in my shed, a free taster of one of our cruising workshops if you missed it - all about VHF & MMSI, some great books & articles to read, discounts and deals from our sponsors, upcoming events - that we will hopefully be able to go to and much more.

Until next month.

Cheers

Viki

There's a Legend in my Shed When it comes to epic sailing survival stories, few can compare to the story of Shackleton’s Boat Journey.

In summary way back in 1914 – 1916, Antarctic Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton along with his boat captain Frank Worsley (who was born in Akaroa – more about this later) and 26 crew, sailed the Endurance to Antarctica with the aim of being the first men to cross Antarctica from sea to sea via the South Pole.

In February 1915, the Endurance became stuck in pack ice. Shackleton quickly realised that they were trapped, the expedition doomed, and the ship eventually broke up under the pressure of the melting ice in October 1915. They salvaged as much as they could before the Endurance was crushed and disappeared, including the three life boats – the James Caird, the Dudley Docker & the Stancombe Wills. The crew then camped out on the drifting ice pack until the 9th of April 1916.

It was at this stage that they’d drifted far enough in to the open ocean to be able to take to the life boats. The 28 crew sailed 347 miles over five exhausting days across the Southern Ocean in the three tiny lifeboats, eventually making landfall at Elephant Island.

I remember shivering away under my thick warm and dry duvet in a warm heated house, reading the Shackleton’s Boat Journey story, imaging myself on Elephant Island, an uninhabited ice covered, mountainous island located at around 61º South, 55º West. With winter temperatures reaching -49ºC, their woollen clothing was constantly wet with salt water, they slept in frozen reindeer sleeping bags, these were some very tough men!

But with winter once again bearing down upon them, they knew that staying put in Elephant Island wasn’t going to be an option, the island was way off the usual shipping routes, and the chances of being discovered and rescued there were very slim. So Shackleton and Worsley decided to take to go in search of help.

By Viki Moore

While the Falkland Islands were closer, the prevailing Westerlies meant that South Georgia was a better option.

Especially considering that the lifeboats weren’t well equipped for the voyage, let along upwind sailing. The ship’s carpenter set to work on the strongest of the three life boats – the James Caird. He raised the gunwales, enclosed the open deck, they loaded on extra rocks as ballast, strengthened the keel and loaded some provisions for the voyage ahead.

On the 24th April 1916, Shackleton, Worsley and the four other crew set off from Elephant Island to South Georgia – 720 miles away. Leaving the remaining 22 men behind.

The fact that they survived the horrendous fifteen day voyage, enormous stormy seas, and that they managed to navigate safely to South Georgia (a feat in itself given the limited opportunities to get a sight on the sextant during the voyage) must surely come down to the incredible navigation and boat handling skills of Akaroa born Frank Worsley.

Even though they’d arrived at South Georgia, the survival story wasn’t over yet. The whaling station – their only opportunity for rescue was on the other side of the island, via mountains and glaciers. A hazardous journey that had never before been attempted. They drilled screws into their boots to give some grip on the ice, and the three strongest men – Shackleton, Worsley & Crean set off – a 32 mile hike which took them 36 hours. They eventually arrived at Stromness on the 20th May 1916.

The rescue of the remaining men is another long and complicated story which for various reasons didn’t happen until August 1916. But every single one of them survived. Shackleton became renowned for his leadership, and a man who under times of extreme circumstances he was able to keep his team together.

Fast forward to 2013 when adventurer Tim Jarvis set out to recreate “Shackleton’s Epic” crossing of the Southern Ocean. A replica of the James Caird was commissioned in 2008. Built from the original plans and identical materials she was christened the Alexandra Shackleton (named after Shackleton’s granddaughter).

Tim Jarvis wrote a book about his exploits “Chasing Shackleton – Recreating the Worlds Greatest Journey of Survival” not only was the voyage difficult, but also getting the adventure off the ground was a major undertaking.

Tim and his crew did the voyage utilising the authentic equipment – clothing, footwear, navigation equipment, and food supplies.

Needless to say it wasn’t easy, but Alexandra Shackleton proved herself to be a solid seaworthy vessel, and after another epic ocean voyage she safely delivered her crew from Elephant Island to South Georgia.

An incredible adventure for a tiny 23 foot yacht. Not only is she a replica of an iconic vessel, but she also has her own story to tell, and you can read all about it in Tim Jarvis' book.

And now, under the guardianship of the Christchurch Foundation – she spent some time sitting in my shed!

Patiently waiting for her next adventure. A homecoming of sorts to where the some of the success of the Shackleton’s Boat Journey story began – way back in 1872 when Frank Worsley was born in a little town called Akaroa.

We held an event late last year in Akaroa where Tim Jarvis was beamed in to speak to a huge crowd who'd gathered to see this amazing little vessel. Tim recounted his voyage and the history behind the epic adventure.

Plans are now underway to find Alexandra Shackleton a more permanent home, where she can be proudly displayed to help remember the efforts of Shackleton's boat captain from Akaroa.

Click on the book pictures to purchase

Member Benefits

We are proud to announce our new partners of Island Cruising who are offering some excellent deals for our members. You can join Island Cruising for just $75.00 per year here to access these incredible deals!

20% off the Down Under Rally Offshore Cruising Preparation Course. Save $70!

Check out the Down Under Rally website for more information here.

See-LEVEL is a new, fast, effective, and patented solution for seasickness designed in New Zealand.

ICNZ members get a 10% discount on See-LEVEL products. Contact dudley@see-level.com

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.

Some of the topics we will cover off include:

So far our workshops have covered off some key topics:

Navigation COLREGS Passage planning Provisioning

1. Getting organised - a system for storing all the information for your Passage Plan, Safety Manual, Maintenance log, Important Documents, Boating Qualifications and more 2. Your vessel information - a template for collating all the specifications of your boat 3. The Cat 1 & 2 Regulations 4. Boat Registration

Safety gear Diesel engine basics Fuel systems Servicing winches Checking your rig Anchoring tips Sailing at night EPIRBs VHF/AIS Communications

5. Reporting Incidents

Man Over Board

6. Insuring your boat

Fire

7. VHF & MMSI -if you missed our free bonus workshop you can read it later in this newsletter

Flooding Abandon Ship Preparing a Grab Bag Meteorology

This month we are taking a closer look at Boat Stability, Rudders and Steering Systems, Flooding Protection - including an update on the new Cat 1

Tides Docking Plumbing Electrics

Storm coverings requirement, Rigging & Spars, Sails,

Batteries

and Onboard Accommodation.

Charging systems Keeping healthy Sail trim & new sails

We are work our way through the Safety Regulations

Boat registration

with some tips on what your vessel needs, advice from

Taking on crew

experts and some great discounts on the gear you

Dinghy tips

need to have on board.

Fog signals Biosecurity Seasickness

Join in any time, there is lots to cover off, and starting

Coping in emergencies

early means you can tick off a lot of these jobs for

Security

getting you, your vessel and your crew ready for a long coastal or an offshore voyage.

Skipper responsibility Log keeping Search and Rescue Steering Heavy Weather Sailing AND MUCH MORE!

Become a member now to join in www.islandcruising.nz

WILL A WINDVANE FIT ON MY BOAT?

By Sarah Curry of Hydrovane International Marine Our favorite conversation happens when someone drops by at a boat show with a longing face: “I’d love a windvane, but I just can’t install one on my boat because of x, y, and z…”

Unlike many other types of windvane, the Hydrovane can fit and will work on any sailboat.

So often we have easy answers and good news to share. Those sailors leave with a new-found understanding of how Hydrovane is different from other types.

A Hydrovane can easily be fitted and will work on: All transom types Boats with any steering type (hydraulic, mechanical, tiller) Boats with mizzens Cruising Catamarans or Trimarans Boats that are LOADED with gear (as many cruising boats are) Boats with dinghy davits, arches, gantries, radar masts, etc.

Boats that struggle with some weather helm Displacement and speed are really the only ‘stoppers’. No, we’re not fitting 70 foot maxis! Of course, the Hydrovane’s ability to steer diminishes with the weight and size of boat. The heaviest boat we’ve fitted to date weighs in at 60,000 lbs (27,000 kg). How well the boat sails, and how well the Skipper can trim, are certain variables too.

We love installation challenges… try us!

www.hydrovane.com

Island Cruising NZ is all about offering the cruising community "peace of mind" – through the help, guidance and support they give to boat owners wanting to venture offshore. For this same reason, the ICNZ is aligned to Baileys Insurance, as we feel comfortable with the first class insurance cover and claims support they can provide to our members.

"Blue water" insurance cover is a specialist area, and the team at Baileys have the knowledge, skill and first hand experience to ensure you have the right cover for your particular circumstances – whether it be cruising the Pacific, or around the world, short handed or with a full crew. We achieve this by using quality insurers from local and overseas markets, all with "A" rated financial security as a minimum requirement. Our true independence and access to a choice of Insurers enables us to provide you with very competitive premium and excess terms.

But most importantly, we are involved first hand with every claim to ensure it is settled as it should be.

Contact Baileys Insurance for more information and get a quote for Island Cruising NZ Members.

https://www.baileysinsurance.co.nz

BAILEYS INSURANCE LTD Phone: 09 444 8860 or 0800 898585 Email: enquiries@baileysinsurance.co.nz

Upcoming Events August 2021 Island Cruising NZ Members cruising preparation online workshops Are now underway! Join us any time and get regular updates on bite sized steps for preparing you, your vessel and your crew to do a long coastal or offshore voyage.

Become a member to participate www.islandcruising.nz Sailing Singles Looking for love in all the wrong places?

Join the Sailing Singles New Zealand Group on Facebook. There are lots of last minute get togethers around the country. This is a great way to make some new sailing friends.

24 August 2021 ONLINE - Rally to Japan 2023 Join us online for a chat about the upcoming rally to Japan in 2023.

7pm NZST on Zoom https://zoom.us/j/94161126497? pwd=TDJGeGRaQkZVemNrVllSZDhNK0JRdz09 18 - 19 September Evolution Sails, Waikawa Women's Regatta Come to beautiful Waikawa Boating Club for the popular women's regatta. Crews are matched up with boats for a great weekend of racing and socialising.

Women Who Sail New Zealand 23 September 2021 Rebecca Hayter - Wild Seas to Greenland talk Waikawa Boating Club 7.30pm

Upcoming Events 8 October 2021 Island Cruising Catch up in Auckland Venue TBA - watch this space.

21 October 2021 Feeling Seasick?

Lyttelton sailor Dudley Jackson had his offshore cruising plans thwarted by debilitating sea-sickness.

This lead him to design and develop an innovative way of curing that awful green feeling sailors often get when heading in to rough seas! Come along and hear about how he came up with the idea, how he went about designing and manufacturing his product and try it out! It will be a fun interactive session.

Little Ship Club @Naval Point in Lyttelton. 7.30pm start Friday 22 October Coastal Classic - Cruising Division More information here.

6 December 2021 Members night in Auckland Venue TBA - come along for some dinner and a catch up with Island Cruising NZ members and hear all about sailing in the South Island December 2021 - January 2022 Rally to the South Island Plans are underway for a rally to the South Island including calls at Abel Tasman, Marlborough Sounds, Banks Peninsula and then either sail home or on to Stewart Island and Fiordland. More info coming very soon!

10 - 13 February 2022 Australian Wooden Boat Festival the Australian Wooden Boat Festival will fill Sullivan's Cove, Hobart. More info here.

March 2022 Central Triangle Short handed or fully crewed race from Wellington to Akaroa, Napier & back to Wellington. Great shakedown for an offshore voyage and some great parties along the way. More info here.

June 2022 Pacific Circuit Rally COVID border restrictions permitting, plans are underway for our famous Pacific Circuit Rally in 2022.

Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu & New Caledonia. Contact us to register your interest.

18 November 2021 Three Kings Offshore Race The Three Kings Offshore Race is a 500 nautical mile challenge from Auckland up and around the Three Kings Islands and then back to Auckland finishing where you started. The Three Kings Islands is a beautiful, yet rugged place that is a must see, past Cape Reinga with a slice of Ocean Racing.

Check out the RNZYS website for more info

April 2023 Sister City 50th Anniversary Rally to Japan. from Christchurch and Wellington New Zealand to Kurashiki and Sakai Japan. Register your interest now.

More info on the Facebook group.

Discounts for ICNZ Members!

Pacific COVID Update New Zealand has cases of the Delta strain of COVID in the community and the whole country is now in a Level 4 - hard lockdown. Sailing is not permitted. Please note these updates can change any time! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for extra information.

New Zealand

Fiji

Australia

The New Zealand Maritime border is

The maritime border is closed. Only

still closed. NZ has cases of Delta in

Australian citizens, residents and

the community and is currently in a

immediate family members can enter

Level 4 - hard lockdown.

Australia by sea. All crew must be isolated in mandatory quarantine.

New Zealand vessels are able to

accommodation for 14 days on arrival

enter New Zealand provided the

You must provide arrival information

skipper is reasonably satisfied that

in advance.

every person on board is either a New

People in New Zealand can fly across

Zealand citizen or meets New

the Tasman but the maritime border is

Zealand’s visa requirements.

still closed.

We are working with our partners

Foreign flagged vessels are not

Down Under Rally to lobby for the

permitted to arrive unless certain

Trans-Tasman maritime border to

criteria are met and permission has

open as well.

been granted by New Zealand’s Director-General of Health.

Niue

Additionally, any non-New Zealand

The Niue border is closed to all yachts

citizens on board must meet the

until further notice.

necessary visa requirements.

Vanuatu

Permission must be sought from

All ports of entry are closed until

French Polynesia

Immigration New Zealand for non-

further notice.

Is now in a two-week hard lockdown.

New Zealand citizens on board to

It is forbidden for any pleasure boat

Cook Islands

arriving in French Polynesia to call,

The Cook Islands Maritime border is

anchor or park, or disembark at sea

Vessels may be exempt if there is a

closed. People who have been in New

any person in the internal waters and

compelling need for the vessel to

Zealand for 14 days can fly in to the

territorial sea of French Polynesia

arrive in New Zealand for:

Cook Islands without quarantine. We

until further notice. Our friends at

have heard of one yacht sailing from

Tahiti Crew are keeping us posted

enter New Zealand.

reprovisioning and/or refuelling OR

Tahiti to NZ that was permitted to

the purpose of delivering the

stop in Aitutaki to take on extra kiwi

vessel to a business which

crew and spare parts. The sailors

includes for the purpose of

were unable to go ashore.

repairing or refitting the vessel

with any updates.

nternational Cruisers In Europe with Boats in NZ I

Non-NZ citizens are still not permitted

AND

New Caledonia

to enter NZ via air to access their

the Director-General has granted

The borders to New Caledonia remain

boats. Some have chosen to ship

the vessel permission to arrive in

closed until further notice. No

their vessels home or sell them here in

New Zealand.

commercial passenger flights or

NZ. Others continue to wait for the

vessels are allowed in to the country.

borders to reopen.

permission for the vessel to arrive in

Tonga

Join Sailors with COVID Immigration

New Zealand for humanitarian

Tonga's maritime border is closed

Issues NZ Facebook group for more

reasons or other compelling needs.

until further notice.

information.

Contact us for more information if

Samoa

you are planning on coming to NZ.

International borders remain closed

A vessel may also be exempt if the Director-General has granted

until further notice.

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

Rally Benefits Our rallies are for everyone! Families with children, couples, friends, solo sailors, yacht owners and offshore capable power boat owners. Basically, if you're able to take some time out to cruise, then our rallies are for you.

Social events and activities.

Discounts and expertise from our rally partners - respected marine suppliers.

Seminars, advice and passage planning assistance with preparing your vessel, your crew and your self for the rally

The safety of travelling in a group, with tracking and weather routing and advice if things don't go to plan.

Assistance navigating the changing customs and immigration paperwork and often access to ports you'd otherwise be unable to clear in and out from.

Local knowledge and connections.

Stay with the group of do your own thing, the choice is yours.

Crew matching service & management of crew change logistics

Technical support

Sustainable Sailing Wherever we are, we are connected to the sea. The ocean provides us with the oxygen we breathe and the climate that sustains us. We need a healthy ocean for our own survival - and for us to sail on!

Plastic pollution is killing wildlife, devastating oceans and threatening the health of our planet. Plastic represents a disconnection. It’s a material designed to last forever that we often use only once. Poorly managed plastic leaks into the sea. The ocean is downhill from everywhere.

Through education that inspires participation, Take 3 is building a global movement of people who are connected to the planet.

Join our movement today.

#Take3ForTheSea

Take 3 believes in simple actions to address complex problems.

How can we stop plastic pollution from killing wildlife and suffocating our planet?

In 2009, two friends set about answering this question. Marine ecologist, Roberta Dixon-Valk and youth educator, Amanda Marechal developed Take 3 – an idea where a simple action could produce profound consequences. Joining forces with environmentalist, Tim Silverwood, the trio publicly launched Take 3 as an organisation in 2010.

The idea is simple: Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway, when you are out for a walk or…anywhere, and you have made a difference.

VHF & MMSI Bonus Cruising Workshop To help keep you occupied and productive during lockdown we've put out a free bonus cruising workshop so you can learn a few tricks about your VHF and have a taster of what our cruising workshops are all about.

To participate in more workshops like this to help you get prepared for a long coastal or offshore voyage, simply become a member of Island Cruising NZ here.

How well do you know your VHF radio?

Safety Regulations The Safety Regulations state that for Cat 1, 2 & 3 your vessel needs to have an installed VHF Radio, a call sign and you need an operator's license. You also need a waterproof hand held VHF Radio, and in addtion to this you need another one in your Grab Bag. How do VHF Radios work?

VHF Radios work within line of sight - i.e the two aerials have to be visible to one another. They transmit Very High Frequency radio waves which travel in a straight line. If you are at sea, the curvature of the earth limits the communications between two vessels, but when you are close to shore, things like hills can prevent communications. Line of sight transmissions are called Simplex Operation.

Thankfully to prevent the hills from disrupting communications, along the coastline we have repeater stations positioned on hill tops which relay the messages on two separate frequencies. These are called Duplex Operations. Some of these repeaters are public and others may be owned by a radio association. You can pay a membership fee to use the private repeater channels and access the service they provide.

Messages transmitted via VHF are able to be heard by everyone in range listening on that particular channel. This is a good thing when there is an emergency, as your call goes out to everyone nearby. But it is worth remembering that everyone can hear your conversation, so make your transmissions short and sweet.

VHF Radios are either hand held or they are wired in to your boat's battery system. Hand held VHF Radios run on a battery and need to be charged up regularly.

VHF radios have a High or Low power setting. You should always use the low power setting when you are in a harbour or close to the boats you are communicating with. Using low power saves battery life and reduces interference.

The higher your aerial, the greater the range. If you are trying to communicate with someone in the distance, aim to have your aerial as high as possible, and change on to the high power setting.

You should also always select the 'international' setting if you have one. This is the correct channel/frequency combination for use around New Zealand. The USA & Canada setting will not work.

VHF & MMSI Bonus Cruising Workshop Your VHF will also have a scan or dual watch function. Most will allow you to save a number of channels to memory, so that when you hit the scan button, the radio will cycle through the stored channels and will stop when it hears a message. The Dual watch operates in the same way but will listen to both channel 16 and one other channel.

Most modern VHF's will also have a DSC function and we will cover that off in more detail a little later on.

Maritime Radio Maritime New Zealand operates a comprehensive VHF service around our coastline. There are 30 stations, but all the transmissions are made from their base in Lower Hutt.

Maritime Radio provides a 24 hour listening watch on channel 16, search & rescue communications, safety, weather and navigational warnings, weather forecasts at scheduled times, medical advice, trip reports and radio checks.

To contact Maritime Radio you simply call up on Channel 16 by using the name of the area you are in. So for example "Akaroa Maritime Radio, Akaroa Maritime Radio, Akaroa Maritime Radio, this is..." etc They will then reply and ask you to go to one of their working channels - 67, 68, 69 & 71, where you can then do your trip report, or you can ask them to test your radio transmission, request assistance and that kind of thing.

As you sail up the coast you change the name of the station you are calling. So when we sail from Lyttelton up to Picton we call Akaroa Maritime Radio to lodge the trip report, and then Picton Maritime Radio to end it when we arrive.

Other Service Providers Coastguard provides a network of stations and repeater channels around the coastline and also on some lakes.

Port Authorities operate their own radio services in their area.

Private Radio Stations are run by associations and provide services for recreational and commercial entities. Private Stations include: Gulf Harbour Radio Marlborough-Nelson Radio Bluff Fishermans Radio

Using the VHF - Getting a License Having a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate is a legal requirement for using a VHF radio (unless you’re making a distress call or calling about or responding to an emergency). Whether you use it for an emergency or not, you need to know how to use your VHF radio properly. Having a license is also a requirement if you are sailing offshore.

Coastguard Boating Education offers the Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate courses in New Zealand.

You can do a variety of different options: Maritime VHF Operator’s Certificate (MVOC) - this is the basic VHF only course Maritime Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate (MRROC) - this one includes the use of HF or SSB radios as well Maritime Short Range Operator’s Certificate (MSROC) - this one is a requirement for anyone wishing to operate a VHF radio in Europe, and a prerequisite for the RYA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence.

If you haven't already got your VHF license, then what better time than now in lockdown to do it! You can do most of the course from home or online but then the exam is in person for MRROC & MSROC. If you are going to do one, I'd really recommend the MSROC. It is a bit more involved but it does mean you are already qualified if you are planning on doing any commercial qualifications or if you are going sailing in Europe. Click here for more info.

A person who holds one/either of these certificates means they have sat and passed an exam to operate radio equipment specific to that type of maritime certificate. Maritime certificates of competency do not give any rights to transmit radio waves.

GURLs - General User Radio License & Maritime Ship License MF/HF (SSB) and VHF marine radiotelephones installed on vessels are operated in New Zealand waters under the NZ General User Radio License for Maritime Purposes. This means that your vessel doesn't need to be individually licensed.

Vessels travelling in overseas waters are not covered by the General User Radio Licence. So when you leave New Zealand, you also require A Maritime Ship (radio) Licence. This consists of a licence number, a call sign number, an MMSI number and depending on the vessel type, a radio telex number. The Maritime Ship Licence is an individual radio licence granted to the owner of the vessel.

VHF & MMSI Bonus Cruising Workshop Vessels travelling in overseas waters are not covered by the General User Radio Licence. So when you leave New Zealand, you also require A Maritime Ship (radio) Licence. This consists of a licence number, a call sign number, an MMSI number and depending on the vessel type, a radio telex number. The Maritime Ship Licence is an individual radio licence granted to the owner of the vessel.

The licence is recorded in the online Register of Radio Frequencies (RRF) and is recognized by overseas administrations under agreements with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). You can also get a printed copy of the license to file in your important documents.

Having this license isn't a requirement for our NZ Safety Regulations, it is however a requirement if you are asked to present your Maritime Ship License to any overseas authorities who request it.

You can download the application form here.

Call Signs & MMSI Once you’ve completed a VHF radio course you can get a call sign, which is unique to your boat and is a legal requirement for making a call on your VHF radio. In New Zealand, callsigns begin with the letters ZM followed by another letter and 4 numbers.

If you have a DSC capable radio, you'll also need a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI). This is a series of nine digits which are sent in digital form over a radio frequency channel in order to uniquely identify ship stations, coast stations, coast earth stations, and group calls. An MMSI, once entered into a radio transmitter or AIS equipment, is very difficult to remove, therefore it is highly recommended that the callsign and MMSI remain with the vessel.

A call sign and MMSI belongs to a person. If you purchase a vessel, the call sign and MMSI does not automatically transfer over. Permission must be granted by the person who owns the call sign and MMSI to transfer it over to a new holder.

There might be several boats in New Zealand with the same name as yours, so the call sign distinguishes your boat. The call sign is registered on the National Search and Rescue Database, which will include other information about your boat and emergency contact details that will make it easier to help you. If you sell your boat you can keep your call sign or let it go with the boat’s new owner.

The one-off cost is $50.

You can get a call sign, update your details and change ownership of call signs online here.

The call sign database includes details of your emergency contact, the type, size and colour of your boat, what equipment you have aboard and other such details. It’s important you update your call sign details if you sell your boat or if any of your details (especially your emergency contacts) change.

DSC - Digital Selective Calling If you've bought a VHF radio in the last few years, chances are it has a red distress button on the front. Lift the flap, press and hold the button for five seconds, and details of your vessel, your position, and the fact that you require urgent and immediate assistance are broadcast to everyone with a DSC-equipped radio within range. The beauty of the system is that it should summon assistance even if you're unable to speak. You can also usually select what kind of distress you are in. Two things need to happen for a DSC-VHF radio to work properly. First, it has to be connected to a GPS; second, the radio needs to be programmed with an MMSI number.

Pressing this button sets off a loud alarm on all the VHF's in range. The radio operator on that vessel needs to physically go to the set to turn off the alarm, so they will be alerted to your distress, they'll know your vessel name and your location all from the distress message.

The thing to remember though is that this message is NOT transmitted to Maritime Radio nor the Rescue Coordination Centre. Here in NZ the DSC frequency is NOT monitored by our authorities. So if there are no vessels in the vicinity to hear your distress alert, you'll still need to make your Mayday call on the VHF and potentially turn on your EPIRB too.

Individual or Group DSC Calling One of the other really cool features of a DSC VHF is that it can be used to contact another boat directly for non-emergency reasons.

You can dial up other ships nearby if you know their MMSI numbers. For example if you see a ship heading towards you, and you want to check to make sure they've seen you, you can look up their MMSI number on the AIS, and then radio them to have a chat about how you intend to pass one another. The DSC VHF will sound an alarm on the ship's radio, and automatically switch to the channel you are calling them up on. They'll have to physically switch the alarm off and acknowledge your call.

You can also load in the MMSI numbers of all your friends, or do a group DSC list to everyone on your Island Cruising rally for example. Yachts in a race, rally or cruising fleet can maintain a constant scanning watch for general DSC calls from other participants, utilizing the quiet/muted functionality of the DSC radio’s speaker. Yachts traveling together can coordinate a cruise, or get advice about weather, anchorages, sailing conditions, technical problems etc. This semi-private multiparty conference call is a perfect solution for groups travelling together.

Other DSC Benefits You can continue to have your VHF radio turned on at night, but if there is a DSC distress alert from a vessel nearby or someone calling you up on a DSC call the radio alarm will sound and wake you up. This is a great benefit, for example if you saw a boat dragging anchor at night, you could try making a DSC call to wake them up if they don't respond on channel 16.

Which Channel Should I Use? Channel 16 is reserved as an initial calling channel and also for distress messages. You should monitor channel 16 when you are out at sea. If someone calls you on channel 16 you should respond and then change to a 'working channel'.

Inter-ship working channels are 6 & 8. You can talk to each other on these simplex channels if you are within line of sight of one another.

If you are needing to use a repeater channel, you should use the appropriate one for your area. It may be a private radio channel, and you may need to be a member of the association to use it for anything other than emergencies.

Yacht Clubs usually use channel 77 Nowcasting - weather information is transmitted on channels 19, 20 & 79.

Marinas use channel 73.

Maritime NZ use 67, 68, 69 & 71.

Do NOT use channel 70 as this is the channel that the DSC transmissions use.

So this weeks tasks are: 1. Check and charge up the battery in your hand held VHF radio/s 2. Download a copy of the Maritime Radio Handbook here. Or you can also order a printed copy from Maritime NZ here. Gulf Harbour Radio also have copies and they are happy to send you one if you can provide postage. Email them here: ghradio@xtra.co.nz 3. Download a copy of the Coastguard Radio Stations around the coastline here.

4. Put copies of both of these documents in your "Passage Planning" folder.

5. Find the copy of your VHF license and put it in your "Boating Qualifications" folder. If you haven't got a license, then sign up for the MSROC certificate here. Encourage your crew members to do the course as well.

6. If you've already got a license but want a refresher, or if you are based in Australia, check out the very cost effective options for online VHF learning with Sistership Training.

7. Check your details on the Radio Spectrum Management site. Your license details should be on there and so should your vessel call sign. Your contact details are also publicly available for everyone to see on this site - just in case you didn't know that... you can put in a request to have this information hidden by emailing rsmlicensing@mbie.govt.nz.

8. If the details on your license or vessel are incorrect, including your emergency contact details, you can update them here.

9. Download the Maritime Ship License form if you are planning on going offshore. I think there is an annual fee for this license, so maybe don't apply for this one straight away until we know if we can sail offshore next year, but put a copy in your Important Documents folder to remind you.

10. Once you have got everything correct, updated and collated, you should print out and file all your vessel callsign and MMSI registration details in your "Important Documents" folder.

11. Dig out the instructions on your VHF Radio and make sure you understand how to operate the DSC calling. Check that your VHF is connected to your GPS, and that you've got your MMSI number loaded in there too.

12. Load up all your friends MMSI numbers so you can impress them with a DSC direct call. Much easier to do this when you are at the dock and not bobbing around at sea as it is a bit fiddly.

13. Do a radio check on your VHF with Maritime NZ. Simply call up the Coast Station for your area on Channel 16 (eg. Akaroa Maritime Radio), they'll reply and ask you to move to one of their working channels, and once you are there you can ask them to do a radio check. They'll ask for your call-sign and tell you how clearly you are transmitting. Make a note that you have done this in your ships log and do a check a week or so prior to any long voyage so you can be sure that your radio is in good working order before you depart.

14. Commercial vessels are required to display a "distress sticker which details the vessel's call sign and the correct Mayday or Pan Pan procedure. While this isn't a requirement for recreational vessels, it is worth having this information displayed nearby. You can download the distress sticker here. Print a copy to display beside the VHF and another one for your "Safety Manual". Or you can order a proper sticker and the Radio Handbook to be posted to you here.

15. Add the Maritime Radio NZ contact details in to your phone, so that if for whatever reason your VHF stops working, if you are in phone coverage you can call them up to end your Trip Report or request any other assistance. Their details are as follows: +64 4 550 5280 or 0800 627 484 or maritime@kordia.co.nz

To take part in more cruising preparation workshops like this, become a member at www.islandcruising.nz

Marine Medic Coastal & Offshore

How would you cope if someone on board your boat had a heart attack, broke their leg, or some other major injury. Could you take care of a sick crew member for an extended period at sea?

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW: email us: info@islandcruising.nz

We will be running courses with our partner Oceania Medical later in the year around the country in line with demand. With discounts available for Island Cruising NZ Members

Course Topics: Personal protection Primary Survey Recovery Position Body Structure & Functions The Unconcious Casualty CPR & Basic Life Support AED Use Bleeding, Tourniquet use, israeli bandage use & CELOX Management of Shock, Anaphylactic shock, hypoglycemic shock Burns & Scalds Transporting & caring for a casualty Wound Care Offshore Medical Kit (CAT 1) familiarisation session

Do good things

By Richard Chesher It’s so easy to make mistakes while cruising and without thinking do lasting damage to the magnificent world you’ve cruised so far. Here are just a few ways you can be kind to the creatures of the sea, your fellow cruisers and the people who live where you cruise; specific actions that won’t cost a thing but will bring a huge profit in happy cruising.

Anchor in the sand, not in the coral: Yacht anchors and chains have already caused massive damage to coral reefs throughout the tropics. Corals are fragile, delicate, slow growing creatures; the foundation of the complex association of creatures that together build and maintain the marvelous coral reef ecosystems of the tropics.

A 30 kg anchor and 20 meters of chain can do an unbelievable amount of damage when it’s dropped onto a coral reef. First the coral is smashed, broken and abraded. Then infections begin in the damaged coral tissue that results in continued death of the corals even after the yacht has picked up the anchor and moved on. The coral reef fish and other invertebrates essential to the nutrient cycle of the coral reefs move to undamaged areas or are killed by predators. Next, the dying corals attract coral predators like parrot fish and crown of thorns starfish. Followed by an overgrowth of algae that smothers any remaining coral and prevents further coral settlement. At night, when the algae stops photosynthesizing, oxygen falls to very low levels killing any fish and invertebrates still sheltering in the dead coral.

One yacht anchor and chain dropped into the coral results in terrible damage – a thousand yacht anchors over a single cruising season can destroy the coral in an entire bay. When this happens, the wealth of fish is gone, too, so villagers who depend on their reefs for subsistence must find food elsewhere. Anchoring in the coral is not just unkind, it’s dangerous.

Fragile corals have very little holding power. If a strong wind comes up the anchor will drag, causing even more damage to the coral and maybe also to the yacht. Anchors are designed to hold in sand or mud, not in coral and if they get fouled by coral fragments they won’t dig in again. If the anchor or chain is dropped into massive corals it can become trapped, impossible to retrieve without diving on it, and sometimes not even then.

Remember: Anchor in the sand, never in the coral.

Have a recording depth sounder aboard so you can see the coral on the bottom.

Learn how to recognize areas with no coral before you drop the hook.

In New Caledonia the marine parks have public moorings so yachts don’t have to anchor at all but if the moorings are all taken (as they can be on weekends and holidays). Kind cruisers anchor in the sand, not in the coral.

Watch your step: Be careful what you step on. Cuts in the marine environment – especially coral cuts – quickly become infected with marine bacteria and are very difficult to cure unless treated immediately. You should be wearing shoes or fins to avoid cuts or spines in shallow water but if you walk on the coral or stand on it you’ll kill the delicate living coral. Even massive coral heads, like brain coral, are covered with a fragile coral tissue that dies if someone stands on it.

Vegetation growing on the top of tropical lagoon island beaches is critical to the complex environmental network of these unique ecosystems.

Avoid walking on beach vegetation for two reasons. First, it damages the plants and, if alot of visitors do it, the plants will die. Second, sea snakes nest in the vegetation; sometimes a lot of snakes.

Remember: When going ashore or snorkeling, anchor your dingy in the sand and walk in the sand. Do not walk or stand on the coral.

When walking on lagoon island beaches avoid walking on the delicate vegetation on the top of the beach.

Be nice to the birds: “Oh my God, look at them all! The birds are everywhere,” she screams as the dinghy comes up to the beach surrounded by thousands of birds wheeling, screeching, even dive-bombing the four people in the little inflatable dinghy. “They’re not afraid of us at all, they even tried to land on our heads!”

The video goes on to show the crew from a yacht strolling down the beach, birds rising up in clouds of swirling wings. A close up of a bird in its nest, screeching at the camera. A finger pointing to a nest on the beach with an egg in it. A man lying down on the beach to get a close-up video of a bird protecting an egg on the sand.

These were really nice cruising people enjoying the wilderness of a tropical island – a nature reserve – during the nesting season of rare, endangered birds. What they didn’t realize is their leisurely stroll along the beach sent the birds into a panic and the birds trying to land on their heads were, in fact, trying to chase them off.

Sea birds that lay their eggs on the sand need to protect the eggs from the sun during the day. Even a few minutes of exposure to the hot tropical sun can kill the developing egg. There is a good chance the developing chicks in the eggs lying bare on the hot sand in the video died. (Note: the cruisers in the video were not involved in the Ilot Ua disaster described in the further reading link below and there was no red flag to warn them the birds were nesting).

Remember: Stay off the beaches of lagoon islands during the summer nesting season.

From October to March in New Caledonia nature guards erect masts flying red flags on beaches when the sea birds are nesting and boaters are prohibited from landing on the islets when the flag is flying.

But, in more remote areas, nobody puts up a red flag to warn boaters. So it’s up to considerate cruisers to leave the birds alone when they are nesting.

To read this article and some more of Richards great cruising tips & beautiful photographs check out the amazing Rocket Guides - cruising guides for Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Island Cruising Members get a 10% discount. And you can read more on Richard's blog here.

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

A Letter from Thailand

By Gina de Vere

Dear Fellow Sailors, Our monohull is currently on a mooring on Phuket Island, Thailand for a few months because in this time of Covid 19 there are restraints on how far we are allowed to sail out of the province.

For six months Christian worked on her, extending the saloon, changing the V berth configuration and setting up a practical, comfortable navigation station. This was a boon crossing the Pacific in foul weather, especially in the storm we encountered entering Tonga. I always

As I write at the table in the saloon it is a humid 33 degrees, waiting for the rains to come. Today I share with you my baptism sail from Auckland to Tonga and the importance of practice before you cross oceans.

felt safe in her.

But then I recalled a very old memory; I was 11 years old sitting by the window in a chilly English school room, gazing out over the fields down towards the River Thames, wishing I were on a boat sailing down to

I am a Kiwi, born in Napier and lived in the Warkworth area for 35 years.

However, for the past 16 years I have sailed and lived on our boat, full time.

Perhaps one day we will return to New Zealand but for now we are still enjoying South East Asia and its exotic flavours and fascinating

London, across the Channel and on into the warm Mediterranean Sea. However, Life has a habit of coming between you and your dreams and mine were almost obliterated by duty, marriage and children, but not totally extinguished! ‘Yes’, I said, ‘I will work with you to make this dream ours’.

And that is what we did for the next

cultures.

few years. We worked, two or three In 2005 my husband Christian and I sold up almost everything we owned to buy our first boat. However, we put the contents of our house into a large

jobs at a time to save for the sailing kitty, all the time window shopping at Westhaven marina in Auckland for the boat.

gone; maybe I would hate sailing and want to come back to live near our two sons in Auckland.

As my French

lover at the time, Christian had but one goal; he was working only ‘to go cruising again’. For many years he had been a sailing instructor for the French Police Department as well as doing yacht deliveries worldwide.

becoming partners he told me that cruising must be part of his life. I had to think hard about his proposal which would take me away from my family, my friends, my community, as well as from the business consulting and coaching I enjoyed.

sailing, just short trips on my trailersailer over from Sandspit to Kawau Island and back. I had no experience of sailing offshore and was filled with trepidation about my lack of knowledge or embarrassing myself doing something silly in front of Christian. So I took sailing lessons with Penny Whiting, read all I could, did my navigation classes at night school and passed my first aid and radio examinations. There were times when we became disillusioned, when it seemed that we would never reach our goal. It was then that our friend and mentor Lin Pardey would provide Many

were the discussions over a glass of We knew with our limited budget we were looking at safety rather than good looks. Every boat is a compromise. We found a solid steel boat which would take us anywhere and called her ‘Caesura’ which

wine on the best way to do this or that and gradually I started to feel more confident about the idea of saying goodbye to all that was familiar and changing my status from CEO to crew.

means ‘ a pause in a line of poetry which is part of the overall rhythm.’

We had decided to buy sensibly and have more cash on hand, which turned out to be a wise decision. Our

When taking a more serious step to

teacher because I had done little

the inspiration to keep going.

container on our section because I had no idea how long we would be

I was fortunate to have such a good

boat to go was

a 40 footer, built

1985, with a long keel, designed by Bob Stewart, Camelot Series, beam, 12’, drew 6.6.’

She had a 72hp Ford

engine with a center pilot house, and was cutter rigged. But she was no beauty, rather a rugged, sturdy boat, a bit like a Land Rover of boats.

We set sail from our local yacht club in Sandspit, farewelled by a large group of our friends. This was a moment I shall always remember as the start of a totally new life, and a new me. I was 58 years old.

Finally 22nd April 2005 dawned. We had been cleared to go. With sadness at leaving our friends and family mixed with eager anticipation for the voyage, we lifted the anchor in Auckland, NZ; Lat 36 50’ S, Long 174 46’E and set sail towards Tonga Tapu; Lat 21° 08’S and Long 175° 10’W. We had 1100nm of ocean crossing ahead of us.

Sailing through the Pacific I was as excited as a child seeing things for the first time. I clearly recall my first night watch; I was like a terrier dog on high alert, going from port to starboard looking for lights and then mistaking stars for boat lights. Anxiety continued.

Next morning I dropped the packet of muesli all over the floor. We were picking

We battled on close hauled, more like a

The goal in heaving-to, in strong gale

sunflower seeds out of the carpet for

submarine as our old steelie girl

conditions, is to create a windward slick

weeks.

ploughed ahead with waves crashing

of calmer water which will protect the

over her. Her narrow width and deep hull

boat from breaking waves. There are two

to steady her were not enough. The

main reasons for heaving-to, one is to

frustrating thing was we could see Eua

slow the boat down to an almost stop,

Island, the southernmost island of Tonga,

for example to have a break in rough

away in the distance but we simply could

seas or to wait to enter a harbour etc. In

not make headway.

this case, the boat continues to move

As we passed the latitude of the Kermadec Islands we noticed signs of possible weather changes ahead with cirrus stratus clouds and a very pronounced ring around the sun. 24 hours later we found ourselves sailing close to the wind under storm gib and double reefed mainsail.

After a few

hours it was evident we had to take another reef in the mainsail. We estimated the wind to be 40 knots with stronger gusts, which was corroborated by information later received when we reached land.

very slowly forward. The second ‘Take the wheel, steer close to the wind

technique is used to protect the boat

while I take a third reef’

from large breaking waves coming from

Christian yelled

above the noise of the wind. seen such huge waves.

I had never

I held that wheel

the general direction you want to go. For this you need sea room downwind of

with every bit of strength I had, afraid my

your position.

arms were simply not strong enough to

cyclone’s dangerous semi- circle and

This technique is used in a

hold her steady against the force of the

particularly in the most dangerous

wind and the breaking waves. That is

quadrant of a cyclone in order to avoid

when I thanked my lucky stars we had

sailing toward the eye and its’ path.

practised using the sail reduction reefing technique back in home waters - an

The two techniques in heaving-to are

exercise that reduces the stress, both on

similar but the goals are different.

the boat and on the crew! I was already

second case, which we used, you want

tired before we set sail, and I could see

to drift slowly down wind so the hull and

Christian was tiring after coping with

keel create an upwind slick of smoother

several days of bad weather.

water. The breaking part of a wave will

In the

break within the width of the slick, When Christian made the decision to

before reaching the boat, rather than

heave-to I thought it was bliss! The

the wave breaking over the boat. There

pressure and noise from every part of the

must be no forward or backward motion

boat as she was straining and vibrating,

or the slick will not protect the boat from

lessened.

the breaking waves.

The motion, though still rough,

The aim is to drift

was considerably more pleasant; up, up,

slowly downwind with the boat facing

up to the top of waves like a three-

the wind and waves at an angle of

storey apartment, then down, down,

between 35 to 50 degrees depending on

down, with every now and then a huge

boat movement.

slap from a bigger breaking wave.

In order to balance our boat we used a

We waited a few more hours until

PS. Ten years later one of our sons

deeply reefed mainsail and storm jib. The

conditions improved, then sailed much

opened the container on our

sail number, type and area must suit the

more comfortably towards Tonga Tapu.

section, to sell the contents; we

conditions and type of boat.

We had drifted considerably south and

knew we would not be returning for

Our small

storm jib was sheeted hard windward and

had to sail 120 nautical miles north to

the deeply reefed main sail (a trisail can

reach Nuku’alofa lagoon. Our sail to

be used) sheeted to balance the angle of

Tonga took us ten days instead of the

the boat and direction of the wind and

eight we had hoped for, but knowing the

waves.

technique for heaving-to had given us a

This was helped by adjusting the

rudder angle to stop the backwards and

chance to have some much- needed

forwards motion.

sleep and continue our voyage safely.

The boat then started

drifting in the direction of the wind and

Christian’s words to me after we had set

waves, thus creating its’ upwind slick.

anchor and waited for the authorities to

a long time. Sadly though, there had been a rusty leak and the contents had been sitting in water for years growing a smelly black mold. There was barely anything salvageable.

But do we miss anything? Only paintings and books, the rest, not a bit! Travel light is the learning!

clear us in, are words I shall always This arrangement varies with each type of

treasure. “You did great. I am so proud of

boat and the state of the weather, which

you!”

Wishing you fair winds, stay safe,

Gina de Vere

is why it is so important to practise in fresh conditions on your own boat, to ascertain

I learned a lot in those ten days. We went

what your boat’s particular needs are. In

on to have many happy times making

Gina de Vere has been cruising the

some cases a parachute or drogue can be

special memories in Tonga; visiting idyllic

world full time with her husband

used to hold the boat at the same angle,

islands, meeting lovely gentle people,

Christian for the past 16 years on

but in some seas and winds this may

socializing by a fire watching vibrant

their monohull yacht Stardancer.

reduce the drift speed too much, thereby

sunsets. All experiences I would have

reducing the slick and its’ efficiency.

missed if I had not said Yes to the

Heaving- to is particularly effective with

unknown.

long keel and deep hull boats, like Caesura, which is what enabled us to wait for the weather conditions to improve in comparative comfort and safety. However there are different techniques to deal with very heavy weather in following winds and seas and Lin and Larry Pardey explain this excellently in their book and video, ‘Storm Tactics’.

for two nights and a day. When I am

about their adventures and misadventures for magazines

This baptism into blue water sailing was the only time we have been in severe weather conditions in our 16 years at sea, so from then on, all our adventures throughout the Pacific and South East Asia have been in comparatively easy sailing weather. I look forward to sharing some of these with you in the future. Time now to check all the hatches are tightly

On Caesura we took turns keeping watch

Gina is a New Zealander by birth and has written several articles

closed before the next heavy thundercloud bursts!

worldwide. In her land based life she was a university lecturer in Marketing, owned a business consultancy, with degrees in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Recently Gina’s book “Blue Water Women: Making the Leap from Landlubber to a Life at Sea” was published and is now available in Australia and New Zealand as well

anxious I just have to keep busy. Luckily I

as USA and Canada via Inde

don’t get seasick, so using my galley

bookshops, Barnes & Noble and

harness to keep me steady and safe, I

Amazon.

made kiwifruit chutney, eight jars of orange marmalade, peeled all the garlic to put into jars and cover with olive oil, made pumpkin soup in my secured pressure cooker and generally enjoyed the respite. However, as day broke after the second night Christian, eager to push on said, “I think the conditions have improved.” I disagreed. To prove his point he undid the keeper on the wind generator blades. BANG! The blades blew off and disappeared along with the spindrift into foaming seas.

Gina is a Life Coach and popular speaker in women’s associations and believes in supporting people to reach their potential. Currently she is sailing in Phuket, Thailand

Club Connections

Island Cruising NZ collaborates with yacht clubs around New Zealand & the Pacific to promote cruising activities & events to our huge database of sailors, to provide a place of connection for our members when cruising away from home, and organising combined events and seminars about cruising for the sailors in their local area.

Waikawa Boating Club The Waikawa Boating Club has spectacular views from its location on the water’s edge in Waikawa Marina. This position provides an ideal gateway to exceptional cruising grounds of the stunningly beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

Club members enjoy the use of over 100 moorings dotted around the best anchorages that Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds and D’Urville Island have to offer.

There is also comprehensive racing program for competitive yachties and those who are new to the sport. Including the extremely popular Women's Regatta every September, and the New Year Regatta in January.

The cruising division have a full calendar of raft ups, longer trips and community events.

The club bar and Galley Cafe in the Wardroom are well known for great food, drinks and company.

Waikawa Boating Club is an affiliate member of Clubs of New Zealand and Yachting New Zealand. .

You can find them on Facebook Or online on their website

Books We Love

Jon Tucker's 'Those Sugar-Barge Kids' book is now available free as an ebook for the rest of August (worldwide) on the kobo website. For kindle readers its price has been reduced to the minimum allowable (99 US cents or equivalent). This book was shortlisted in the top three for the 2019 Environment Award for Children’s Literature, and involves three Australian sailing children and two home-schooled Kiwi kids who live on an old barge.

Click the book covers to buy online Available as Ebook on Amazon, softback at Boat Books, NZ & Australia.

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.

18.5m Cruising Ketch

A beautiful ocean-going cruising ketch, everything you need for extended passage making and comfortable cruising. Top design and custom built in timber and GRP to a very high standard, and fitted out with all the safety, navigation, and equipment you need. Hard dodger and full set of tropical awnings. Electrics all up to NZ and US electrical standard.

Carefully maintained with no expense spared, and with a huge inventory, too long to list here. With all controls from both masts leading to the cockpit, this boat has completed many ocean passages with just two crew. A top boat.

Stan Huntingford design, Robert Perry rig, complete refit of interior and all systems 2000-2002 by Legendary Yachts in Washington. Imported into NZ. Completely equipped for offshore passages, ready to go.

View the full specifications 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

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