"Storms don't come to teach us painful lessons, rather they were meant to wash us clean."

- Shannon L. Alder

   SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE FLEET UPDATE 

2023-AUGUST-20

 
2+ SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE BOATS EQUAL A PARTY 

TOP NEWS

• SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE PARTY
• THE OCEAN POSSE 🐙 CALENDAR 
• PICTURES OF THE WEEK
• SAVUSAVU 🇫🇯  NAWI ISLAND MARINA LAUNCHED 
• MUSKET 🇫🇯  COVE FIJI
• NEIAFU VAVA'U 🇹🇴 TONGA
• BLACKBIRDING 
• ELECTRICAL BOAT HOW TO  
• THE BANK ISLAND 🇻🇺 VANUATU  
• THE PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND 
• CLOUD NINE 🇫🇯 FIJI 
• FLEET TRACKING FOR PARTICIPANTS  
• CORRUPTION ALERT ⚠️ AMERICAN SAMOA 🇦🇸
• GOOD NAUTICAL  
• HISTORIC PORTS ⚓LAHAINA HAWAI'I

1) SOUTH PACIFC POSSE PARTY 
NAWI ISLAND 🇫🇯 FIJI

 16° 46.5716' S  179° 19.9533' E -  Nawi Island Savusavu 🇫🇯 Fiji

All yachts are welcome - simply RSVP to get on the list >>

2)  SEMINARS,  EVENTS  MEETUPS FOR ALL  
THE OCEANPOSSE 🐙 CALENDAR 
  

FOLLOW THIS LINKS FOR EVENTS 
MEETUPS AND DETAILS >> 
https://oceanposse.com/calendar/ 

3)   PICTURES OF THE WEEK

SY JACK IRON  🇺🇸   Kent & Michele - Valiant 42′

 HUAHINE  🇵🇫 FP

Huahine was our last stop in French Polynesia, and one of our favorites.  
Giant anemone (folded up) and purple coral.

SY FIRST LIGHT  🇺🇸 Don & Julie  -  Hallberg Rassy 39′

4) SAVUSAVU 🇫🇯  NAWI ISLAND MARINA LAUNCHED 

For the people who wants to know about Nawi Marina in Savusavu. 

The Marina is done at about 70%  completed 

It's
just a marvelous place to stay very friendly people there and the
restaurant has a very good kitchen, but no possibility to haul out a
boat and no specific technical services 

The pool is not ready just the restaurant, the bar, toilets and laundry are done. But it is very well done and nice here.

SY KAWAINE II  🇨🇭   Jean-Dominique & Guylène  - C.M.P.F. – Fecamp 42′

NAWI ISLAND MARINA 🇫🇯  16° 46.566’S 179° 20.1’E
SPONSORS THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE

5) MUSKET 🇫🇯  COVE FIJI

Good night Musket Cove

SY SEAGLUB  🇺🇸 Chris - Hylas 46′

Musket
Cove stands as a haven for true seafaring aficionados. It's one of the
magnetic ports and therefore hard to get out of.  Everyone is
welcome. The discounts extended to the Pacific Posse  rally
participants are not just a gesture of benevolence, but a salute to the
shared devotion to life on the water—a nod that It acknowledges the call
of the open sea running through our veins. 

MUSKET COVE MARINA 🇫🇯 SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

6) NEIAFU VAVA'U 🇹🇴 TONGA

A rare sight in Tonga. Completely calm waters

SY CATWEAZLE  🇬🇧 Harriet & Russell - Allures 45′

Vava'u,
a picturesque island group within the Kingdom of Tonga, stands as a
serene haven for small yachts . Nestled in the northern part of Tonga
the  Vava'u archipelago boasts a unique blend of natural beauty,
welcoming local culture, and inviting waters that welcomes sailors from
around the world. This maze like  destination offers a myriad of
anchorages for small yachts to explore its cruising grounds.

Vava'u's
charm lies in its breathtaking landscapes, where lush green hills meet
cerulean waters, creating a stunning backdrop for sailing adventures.
The island group encompasses numerous sheltered anchorages, secluded
coves, and pristine beaches. Most anchorages provide a calm sanctuary,
offering a tranquil refuge for sailors to drop anchor, unwind, and
immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

The
archipelago is renowned for its vibrant underwater world, making it a
paradise for snorkelers and divers alike. Beneath the surface, coral
reefs burst with life, showcasing an intricate tapestry of colors and
marine species. Small yachts can anchor near snorkeling and diving
hotspots, offering easy access to this underwater wonderland teeming
with tropical fish, vibrant corals, and even the chance to swim
alongside majestic humpback whales during the annual migration season.

 The
warmth of the Tongan culture is an integral part of the Vava'u
experience. The locals, known for their genuine hospitality, greet
sailors with open arms. Visiting the local villages is an opportunity to
engage in cultural exchanges, learn traditional customs, and savor
Tongan cuisine. The Tongan people's genuine smiles and warm interactions
create an enriching experience that leaves an indelible mark on the
hearts of visiting sailors.

Mango Cafe & dinghy dock 

Community and Camaraderie:

The
small yachting community that gravitates toward Vava'u fosters a strong
sense of camaraderie among fellow sailors. Small businesses in the area
provide essential amenities and opportunities to connect with other
adventurers. The exchange of stories, tips, and experiences adds to the
allure of Vava'u as a place where friendships are forged and shared
passions are celebrated.

In
essence, Vava'u encapsulates the essence of a quintessential yachting
paradise. Its azure waters, captivating landscapes, hospitable locals,
and vibrant marine life converge to create an idyllic haven for small
yachts. Every voyage through its cruising grounds reveals new wonders,
ensuring that sailors leave with cherished memories and a longing to
return to the tranquil embrace of Vava'u, Tonga.

picture by https://dazzlerswatch.com/vavau-guide-svdazzler/

7)  BLACKBIRDING 

 Kanaka workers in a sugar cane plantation in Queensland, late 19th century.

The practice of "blackbirding"
in the mid to late 1800s in the South Pacific refers to the recruitment
of coerced labor of Pacific Islanders, primarily from Melanesia and
Polynesia, to work on plantations in other parts of the world. It was
driven by the demand for cheap labor to work on sugar cane, cotton, and
other agricultural plantations.

Para (ship) South Sea Islanders, recruited for the Queensland cane fields, being carried in boats to the Para. 
William Twizell Wawn, captained ships between 1875 and 1891. 

The
demand for labor during the 4 year US Civil War lead to an increase in
the practice of black birding. The war and subsequent union victory and
end of slavery meant a continued  need for labor on plantations to
produce cotton and sugar cane. This resulted in an intensified
recruitment of Pacific Islanders through blackbirding to meet the offshore labor needs.

Exploitative
labor market practices in the sugar industry started in 1863 – almost
60 years after Britain and the United States had made slave trading
illegal.

Tens
of thousands of Pacific Island laborers were brought to Australia from
neighboring Melanesian and Polynesian islands.  In particularly
Queensland, during the late 19th century used these indentured laborers
for work on sugarcane plantations. Estimates suggest around 60,000 to
80,000 humans were involved.

Fiji
was another major destination and saw a significant influx of
blackbirded laborers, with estimates ranging from 60,000 to 70,000
individuals. The sugarcane industry in Fiji heavily relied on coerced
labor.

In
Australia and other colonial powers involved in black birding,
legislative measures were introduced to regulate and eventually restrict
the recruitment of labor from Pacific Island nations. These measures
aimed to improve labor conditions and protect the rights of indigenous
populations. The practices associated with blackbirding were
increasingly criticized by humanitarian and human rights advocates
internationally. Reports of abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation of
laborers led to growing pressure on countries involved in the practice
to address these concerns. In various regions, including Australia and
Fiji, labor reforms were introduced to address the unethical practices
associated with blackbirding. The goal was to ensure fair treatment,
appropriate wages, and better working conditions for laborers.
Indigenous communities in affected regions began advocating for their
rights and raising awareness about the mistreatment and exploitation
they faced due to blackbirding. Their efforts contributed to increased
attention on the issue and the need for change. As economies evolved and
industries changed, the demand for labor through blackbirding
diminished. Economic factors, coupled with increased awareness of
ethical concerns, contributed to the decline of the practice. By the
early 20th century, blackbirding had largely faded as a widespread
practice due to a combination of the factors mentioned above. Many
countries introduced laws and reforms to prevent the recruitment of
labor through coercion and deception. While the formal abolition of
blackbirding marked an important step in ending the exploitative
practices, it's important to recognize that the legacy of blackbirding
continues to impact affected communities to this day. The efforts to
remember this history, address its consequences, and promote awareness
of human rights and social justice continue in the affected regions.

The deportations  began
in 1906 and continued until 1908. More than 7,500 South Sea Islanders
were returned to their home country, though some had arrived in
Australia at such a young age they would have had no memory of their
exact origin.  Indenture ceased in Fiji in 1911.

200+ years of sugar pricing 

The
official Australian South Sea Islander flag initially designed in
consultation with the ASSI community. The flag was formally adopted in
1998. The color scheme incorporates colors resonant to people with
forebears of which the three quarters of the trade were taken from the
83 islands of Vanuatu and are represented through colors green, gold and
black, a third of the trade was from the Solomon Islands represented
with blue, white, green. The overall flag is inclusive other parts of
the South Pacific affected by Blackbirding as we are connected through
the ocean blue and white stars.

8) ELECTRICAL BOAT HOW TO  

SAT Sept 2 - we have a zoominar with Nigel Calder introducing BOATHOWTO

BOAT HOW TO & OCEAN POSSE SEMINAR – SAT SEP 2 2023

We are please to announce an introduction to BOAT HOW TO and their most comprehensive online learning   system.

This ZOOM introduction is hosted by NIGEL CALDER

INTRODUCTIONS TO THE FOLLOWING YACHT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TOPICS

•     Properly sizing conductors ( q&a )
•     Making reliable connections ( q&a )
•     Batteries The Charging System  ( q&a )
•     Best practices of monitoring and improving your electrical system ( q&a )
•     Adding appropriate over current protection ( q&a )
•     Check before you head out ( q&a )
•     Simple troubleshooting techniques ( q&a )
•     Emergency repairs, parts and tools ( q&a )
•     Back Up system ( q&a )

TIME

Sat Sept 2 @ 7 AM Pacific Time 10 AM Eastern Time 4 PM Spain - follow the link above to the zoom link 

  https://oceanposse.com/events/boat-how-to-ocean-posse-seminar-sat-sep-2-2023/

Nigel’s Story

Nigel
got into motorcycles and sailing dinghies as a teenager, and has never
been far from mechanical things and boats ever since. He has a BA in
Philosophy from Exeter University (UK) and an MSc in Operations Research
from Sussex University. In a varied career, before becoming a full-time
sailing writer, with a focus on marine technical systems, he worked on
automotive assembly lines, in foundries and machine shops, and on
offshore oil production platforms.

He
and his wife, Terrie, built a couple of 70-foot canal boats (on which
they lived in England), and a 39-foot Ingrid cutter. They then sailed a
Pacific Seacraft 40 for 5 years, following which they had a Malo 45
built in Sweden. This was sold to be replaced by the same boat but with
an experimental electrical distribution and propulsion system.

It
has been used for extensive testing of cutting edge systems, including a
4-year European Union funded project (HyMar), of which Nigel was the
Technical Director, investigating the applicability of hybrid
technologies to marine propulsion systems. Based on data collected
during the HyMar project, Nigel initiated, and was a lead developer in, a
multi-year project resulting in the award-winning advanced generator
technology now sold under the Integrel brand name.

Nigel
and Terrie have sailed in the North Sea, the Atlantic as far north as
the Faroe Islands and as far south as Portugal, the U.S. east coast, the
Bahamas and extensively in the Caribbean, with Pippin (now aged 37) and
Paul (36) augmenting the crew along the way. In addition to his books
on boat systems and hundreds of magazine articles, he has also authored a
‘Cruising Guide to the Northwest Caribbean’, ‘Cuba: A Cruising Guide’,
‘Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook: a Compendium for Coastal and Offshore
Sailors’ and ‘How to Read a Nautical Chart’. He recently released a
memoir of his family’s first long cruise titled ‘Shakedown Cruise’.

Nigel
is currently the Technical Editor and/or Associate Editor of
PassageMaker, Professional Boatbuilder, Sail, and Ocean Navigator
magazines and a consultant on marine energy issues. He has recently
joined marine energy systems company OceanPlanet Energy as a mechanism
to continue his passion for constantly improving boat electrical
systems.

Nigel
is a 30-year veteran of the American Boat and Yacht Council’s
Electrical Project Technical Committee, which writes the U.S. standards
for recreational boat electrical systems, and a founder member of
www.BoatHowTo.com, the online marine technical education site which is
at the heart of today’s discussion.’

Dr. Jan C. Athenstädt

Jan
runs KlabauterKiste, the German online magazine for boatowners and
Klabauter-Shop, an online shop for boat electrics as well as
BootsBastler.org, a German online community for people who love “messing
about in boats”.

He holds a PhD in computer science and loves to teach people new skills.

ver since he set foot on his grandfather’s boat as a child, Jan has been dreaming of sailing around the world.

During
his studies in computer science, he has worked as a deckhand and bosun
on tall ships such as the Schooner Zodiac and the Bark Europa, sailing
well over 10,000 miles on the world’s oceans and making it all the way
down to Antarctica. In recent years, he has been responsible for
rewiring and maintaining the technical systems on various yachts, such
as the research vessel Aldebaran.

Jan
holds a PhD from Konstanz University and a master’s degree from
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. (Both in Computer Science, but for
his PhD he worked with archaeologists in the Caribbean, using network
science to reconstruct pre-Columbian voyages.) He also studied for a
year at the University of Washington in Seattle on a Fulbright grant,
which gave him the opportunity to explore the beautiful Pacific
Northwest and British Columbia.

When
he bought his Laurin32 Ahora in north Germany to prepare it for
extensive cruising, he noticed that there is very little reliable
information on the internet about boat electrics and mechanics. So he
started the German online magazine KlabauterKiste where he publishes
technical advice as well as stories about boatbuilding and refit
projects.

In
order to help boatowners acquire supplies for their rewiring projects,
he started his online store Klabauter-Shop, where people can order
everything from a simple cable lug to a high end radar system. 

9) THE BANK ISLAND 🇻🇺 VANUATU  

The Banks Islands (in Bislama Bankis)
are a group of islands in northern Vanuatu. Together with the Torres
Islands to their northwest, they make up the northernmost province of
Torba.  

To
the east of these larger islands lie a number of smaller ones. The
furthest north of them 31 mi  northeast of Ureparapara, is Vet
Tagde (also known as Vot Tande or Vot Ganai), which is an extinct
volcano that last erupted 3.5 million years ago.   Ureparapara (also known as Parapara means  "full of slopes"  ), is an old volcanic cone that has been breached by the sea, forming a bay, known as Divers Bay, on its east coast.

 Ureparapara Entrance 

Anchored in Dives bay Ureparapara 

Other small islands in this eastern chain in the Banks Island group include the Rowa Islands
(also called the Reef Islands), which are a few very small, low islands
on a coral atoll and are unihabited. Mota Lava is the largest and
highest (411 m) of this eastern chain of islands; off its southern
coast, attached by high corals that can be waded through at low tide, is
the tiny islet of Ra. The islands of Mota, Merig, and Merelava complete
the southeastern part of the archipelago.

The
largest island is Gaua (formerly called Santa Maria), which has a
rugged terrain, rising to Mount Gharat, an active volcano at the centre
of the island, at 797 m (2,615 ft). Gaua's freshwater Lake Letas, in its
volcanic crater, is the largest lake in Vanuatu. A slightly smaller
island in the group, Vanua Lava, is higher, at 946 m (3,104 ft); it too
has an active volcano: Mount Suretamate (also spelled Süretimiat or
Sere'ama, 921 m (3,022 ft)). To the east of Vanua Lava are two islets in
the groupo, Ravenga and Kwakea (also spelled Qakea). Sola, the
provincial capital, is on Vanua Lava. 

SY CARINTHIA '09  

10) THE PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND 

ZOOM WEBINAR SEP 30 2023

Should I stay or should I go ?

YOUR PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND 
presented by  John Martin from Ocean Tactics

https://oceanposse.com/events/the-passage-to-new-zealand-presented-by-ocean-tactics/

11) CLOUD NINE 🇫🇯 FIJI
SPONSORS THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE

CLOUD 9 🇫🇯 FIJI · SPONSORS THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE

BULA BULA  – WE WELCOME THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE TO FIJI

JUST FOR VISITING US FOR THE FIRST TIME YOU RECEIVE 2 FREE WELCOME DRINKS PER SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE YACHT

12) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE  
🏆 
AWARD CATEGORIES 

• BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT ✔ 
• PICTURE OF THE YEAR ✔  
• PACIFIC POSSE YODA OF THE YEAR ✔  
• THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD ✔
• MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD ✔ 
• HIGHEST WIND RECORDED ✔ 
• SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION ✔ 
• GALLEY GOD(ESS) ✔ 
• SPEEDY AWARD
• GOOD SAMARITAN OF THE YEAR ✔  
• BOAT YOGA POSE OF THE YEAR ✔
• COURAGE AWARD 

13)  "AND THEY ARE UNDERWAY"
 FLEET TRACKING FOR PARTICIPANTS  
 

 About Tracking:

Designed to give interesting parties  an overview. For specific vessel details including their float plan,
latest updates, changes, positions and specific location related
questions please contact each vessel directly.  If you are on
passage let us know and the fleet can monitor your progress.

https://pacificposse.com/add-to-tracking

Tracking Support 

https://pacificposse.com/tracking-support

14) CORRUPTION ALERT ⚠️ AMERICAN SAMOA 🇦🇸

AMERICAN SAMOA - an  unincorporated US TERRITORY FEATURES SOME CORRUPT OFFICIALS AS REPORTED BY SEVERAL VESSELS 

While
currently these "facilitation fees" without receipts  are
relatively small this sets a dangerous precedence and we plan on
reaching out to law enforcement. Corruption is usually the first step in
a bureaucrats downfall. It's ok to offer officials some food or non
alcoholic beverages upon clearing in  paying under the table fees
is ill advised and illegal - pleas email any reports to
registration@pacificposse.com ( anonymous ok ) we will start beating the
drums on behalf of all seafarers.

QUICK FACT :
THE
U.S. Department of the Interior Interior provided $26.6 Million to
American Samoa for Fiscal Year 2022 Government Operations  - for a
link to how much agency support the US government provides AS follow this link >>

15) FREE ACCESS TO GOOD NAUTICAL  

IF
YOU ARE SIGNED UP FOR THE  '23 SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE  you will
be assigned  access credentials to GOODNAUTICAL South Pacific
regions 

CONSIDER MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO GOOD NAUTICAL 

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/goodnautical

NEW CALEDONIA'S ANCHORAGES ARE IN GOOD NAUTICAL 

16) HISTORIC PORTS ⚓ OF THE  PACIFIC 
LAHAINA HAWAI'I

The Port of Lahaina goes back almost two centuries since Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845.

Historic View of Lahaina by J G Sawkins

The
Old Lahaina Fort was originally built in 1831 by Hoapili, the Royal
Governor of Maui. He built the fort to protect the town from riotous
sailors when Lahaina was used as an anchorage for the North Pacific
whaling fleet.

After
the fort was demolished in 1854, a courthouse was built on the site. A
portion of the old Lahaina Fort was reconstructed in 1964.  

Whaling
ships hunting sperm whales in the Pacific began to arrive in Hawaiʻi in
1819, and many ships anchored in Honolulu and Lahaina. The impact of
the whaling fleets on the Hawaiian Islands during the reign of
Kamehameha III (1825–1854) shaped the entire Hawaiian economy and was
the primary source of income for the islands until the discovery of oil
in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859 and the onset of the American Civil
War (1861–1865).

Kamehameha III and Kalama, ca. 1850

 Ships
would generally seek repairs in Honolulu, but captains preferred
anchoring off Lahaina because of its easy access from the Lahaina Roads
and for the fresh provisions available in town. According to Henry L.
Sheldon, "the business of the entire population was the furnishing of
supplies to whalers and entertaining the crews". Sailors who had been
hunting whales for months at a time went to Lahaina to drink grog and
meet women.

By
1825 a kapu prohibiting women from going out to ships for the purpose
of prostitution was proclaimed by the Hawaiian chiefs (ali'i ). Enraged
that they could not cajole, coax, or coerce Hawaiian women into
violating the kapu, the sailors turned their frustrations on the
American missionaries, whom they blamed for the emergence of this new
unreasonably strict moral law.

Whalers
opposed any rules governing alcohol and prostitution, and blamed
missionaries for influencing the Kingdom of Hawaii to enforce such
rules. Riots broke out at least four times—in 1825, 1826, 1827, and
1843. In the 1827 riots, sailors on the John Palmer fired their cannons
at the home of missionary William Richards and threatened the safety of
the community.

Queen
Kaʻahumanu (1768–1832) visited Maui in February 1832, just months
before she died, to support the construction of a new fort to protect
the town from whalers. With her help, Hoapili (1775–1840), Royal
Governor of Maui, built the fort on the Lahaina waterfront and it was
completed within a month. The fort was constructed from coral blocks
with walls approximately 15–20 feet high topped with 47 cannons. An 1848
inventory lists 6 large cannons, 21 small cannons, 6 breech-loaders,
and 8 which did not work. The fort stored quantities of gunpowder, guns,
rifles, and swords, and was used as a prison. Sailors who docked at
Lahaina were subject to a sunset curfew; it they did not return to their
ship when the drums sounded they would be imprisoned in the fort.

John Stobart - Lahaina Maui: The Whaling Brig "Isabella" Arriving In 1865

In
1841, American naval officer Charles Wilkes (1798–1877) visited Lahaina
Fort as commanding officer of the United States Exploring Expedition.
Wilkes observed, "After the king's palace, the fort is the most
conspicuous object: it is of little account, however, as a defence,
serving chiefly to confine unruly subjects and sailors in.

As
the whaling industry declined and the California Gold Rush gained
prominence in the late 1840s, Hawaii's population dropped, and
infectious disease epidemics contributed to the loss of local
populations. The fort was restored in 1847 but was now used more as a
prison than for defending the Kingdom. The cannons were rusting and the
fort was mostly empty of personnel except for a few soldiers and the
Governor of Maui who lived there. When Henry Augustus Wise visited in
1848, he met James Young (1797–1851), then Governor of Maui, who was
living in the fort.

Wise
wrote that it was: "an oddly assorted battery of some thirty pieces of
artillery, of all sorts of carriages and calibre—long, short, and
mediums; they command the usual anchorage, and no doubt do very well to
prevent any acts of violence from merchant ships; but it is a question,
if, at the second discharge of shot, they do not tumble to pieces."

17) MEET OUR SPONSORS 

• PREDICT WIND
• PANAMA CANAL AGENT ERICK GALVEZ CENTENARIO CONSULTING
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS
• YACHT AGENTS NUKU HIVA
• SAIL TAHITI
• OCEAN TACTICS | PACIFIC WEATHER ROUTING
• SHELTER BAY MARINA PANAMA
• DENARAU MARINA FIJI
• NAWI ISLAND MARINA
• VUDA POINT MARINA
• COPRA SHED MARINA FIJI
• CLOUD 9
• PUERTO AMISTAD ECUADOR
• RIVERGATE MARINA AUSTRALIA
• MARSDEN COVE MARINA NEW ZEALAND
• GULF HARBOUR MARINA NEW ZEALAND
• YACHTING WORLD MARINA PORT VILA VANUATU

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

The colorful VATU