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Mistakes are the portals of discovery.

- James Joyce

 
 

 SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE 
FLEET UPDATE 

2023-JULY-23

A double rainbow in our Tahiti anchorage.  🇵🇫 French Polynesia 
SY FIRST LIGHT 

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

TOP NEWS

 

• SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE PARTY IN FIJI SAT AUG 26
• PREDICT WIND DATA HUB SPECIAL 
• PICTURES OF THE WEEK
• MALEKULA 🇻🇺 VANUATU
• THE BACK BEAT🥁 IN FP   
• NIUATOPUTAPU 🇹🇴 TONGA
• SOCIETY ISLANDS M'OOREA 
• SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE  ⛈️ WEATHER ROUTING SPECIAL 
• KADAVU  🇫🇯  FIJI 
• VAVA'U BOATYARD 🇹🇴 TONGA 
• SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE  🏆 AWARD CATEGORIES 
• THE RAINBOW WARRIOR NZ | FRANCE 
• SPECIAL EVENT IN TAHITI THIS WEEKEND
• HISTORIC PORTS ⚓ OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC 
   

1) SOUTH PACIFC POSSE PARTY 
NAWI ISLAND 🇫🇯 FIJI

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

2) PREDICT WIND 
DATA HUB SPECIAL FOR THE 
SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE 
 
DEAL EXPIRES AUG 15, 2024

10% off the DataHub by PredictWind is your gateway to sharing your voyage with
friends and family using PredictWind GPS Tracking and Blogs. The DataHub
is a powerful smart device packed with features that will make tracking
your inshore and offshore GPS, data and communications onboard your
vessel easier than ever.

This smart device is the hub for all your GPS tracking, data, SMS, Email and
Whats App connectivity. Packed with features  the Datahub
integrates with your nav and comm systems. $299.00  

 SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE SPECIAL10% off

This
smart device is the hub for all your GPS tracking, data, SMS, Email and
Whats App connectivity. Packed with features you will quickly find the
Datahub is an essential smart device for your boat.Technical Details and all features  here >>

3)   PICTURES OF THE WEEK

SY WANDERLUST 🇺🇸 Kristin & Fabio - Seawind 52′

WHEN 90 DAYS ARE UP   🇵🇫
IT'S TIME TO LEAVE FRENCH POLYNESIA 

Well, our 90 day visa time in Polynesia is coming to an end. We will soon be making for Tonga.  

Lavender coral in the shallows off Tahiti.

First Light entering Opunohu Bay on Moorea, where Capt Cook once anchored.

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

I TAHITI 🇵🇫 HEIVA'S 

The History of Heiva

Music
and dance have always been a central part of  Polynesian culture.
Tahitian dance, or "Ori Tahiti," is one of the most sophisticated and
ritualized art forms of all time. However, it was not always practiced
as freely in Tahiti as it is today. When European Protestant
missionaries arrived in the 19th century, they found such "erotic"
displays to be offensive and King Pomare II legally banned the tradition
in 1819. Thankfully, the Tahitian people found a way to keep dance
alive, practicing the ritual in secret and passing on the tradition in
anticipation for its revival.

After Tahiti was annexed by France in 1881,
the Heiva festival began to take shape. At that time, the event was
called Tiurai – a derivation of the word July. It was meant to coincide
with France's national holiday known as Bastille Day, which is still
celebrated every year on July 14th. On this one day, France allowed
Polynesians to partake in their traditional celebrations. The first
festival included games, entertainment and singing, but dance was still
somewhat restricted, forcing them to perform a much more "sanitized"
version of Tahitian dance.

It
wasn't until 1956 that Madeleine Moua, a high school principal from
Papeete, spearheaded the full revival of Tahitian dance by forming the
dance troupe Heiva Tahiti. Soon after, traditional dance resumed its
rightful place as a vibrant part of Tahitian culture. Then in 1985,
Tahiti obtained greater political autonomy from France and they renamed
the festival Heiva I Tahiti.

SY ENJOY   🇺🇸  Don & Nina - Lagoon 42′

4) MALEKULA 🇻🇺 VANUATU

Cascades - located on Vanuatu’s Malekula Island

Chief Setla giving us a tour of his waterfalls on Malekula. 

Supposedly his dad killed and ate the guy and kept the skull.

 SY DREAMER  David & Gerne - Caliber 40lrv’

Malekula 🇻🇺 Vanuatu  and several anchorage off the second largest island in Vanuatu  are in Good Nautical

5) THE BACK BEAT🥁 IN FP   

For
questions on the best time and conditions for a trip back from the
leeward island to the windward islands within the society island Alan is
your man - he has done this "beat" numerous times.

SY CYROLIA 🇫🇷 Alan - Jeanneau 53′

6) NIUATOPUTAPU 🇹🇴 TONGA

Niuatoputapa Tonga and it's  challenging reef pass.
A
view from the volcanic island north. Its name means sacred island.
Older European names for the island are Traitors Island or Keppel
Island.

In
January 2010, the Tonga Broadcasting Commission sent a television crew
to Niuatoputapu to interview the survivors of the September 2009 tsunami
in Samoa Islands Region. The documentary team interviewed over 50
people, and  took along an artist, Soakimi Maka Finau, who drew 31
sketches from the survivors’ descriptions of the tsunami. The one-hour
documentary called “Niuatoputapu after the Tsunami of 2009”, was
broadcast by Television Tonga in March 2010.

This
book is based on the documentary, along with three other interviews
recorded on October 3, 2010, at the Vaiola Hospital in Nuku‘alofa, where
several injured survivors had been evacuated for treatment. It also
includes photographs and diagrams.

Download English version here.

GPS - GPX
tracks from SY Sea Casa on Sat, 09/01/2018 - 09:44.vessel going though
the challengig path of Niuatoputapu are in Good Nautical

SY CERULEAN   🇳🇿 Helen & Stephen - Seastream 43 Mk3′

Niuatoputapu Tafahi Tonga - Public domain vintage map

7) SOCIETY ISLANDS  M'OOREA 

Passage Pictures 

Mo'orea
it's known for its jagged volcanic mountains and beaches and lush
interior. Inland, hiking trails wind through rainforest on the slopes of
Mount Tohivea.  

In the north, Mount Rotui overlooks picturesque Ōpūnohu Bay ( above) and the settlements around Cook's Bay.  

Belvedere Lookout on Mo'orea with Cook's Bay on the right

a cool shot of my two kiddies sitting together next to ancient Polynesian ruins...kinda neat

 SY MONSOON   🇺🇸  Travis, Yeen Yee, Rowan , Everyn - Fuji 32′

     

8) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE  
⛈️
 WEATHER ROUTING SPECIAL 

OFFSHORE WEATHER ROUTING

Pacific  Passage Tactics

This
allows us to get to know you and your vessel and is a necessary part of
all Ocean Tactics engagements. During the lead up to the passage we’ll
discuss Comfort Levels for Wind and Wave, Vessel Characteristics and
Conditions to expect on passage.

Passage
Tactics also includes discussion briefings via Line, WhatsApp or
Messenger just prior to departure to give you a full understanding of
what to expect and detail factors that may influence your tactics on
passage.

Mid season special for Ocean Tactics. 
Two passages for the price of one US$297  

John Martin 

Coastal & Offshore Cruising Intl.

admin@coastalandoffshorecruising.com

Phone  0272421088 

WhatsApp +64272421088

https://pacificposse.com/ocean-tactics

9) KADAVU  🇫🇯  FIJI 

Kadavu Island - Anchor check 

Kadavu is best known for the Great Astrolabe Reef.

The
Astrolabe Reef runs along Kadavu’s southern shore then arcs north-east
passed Ono Island up to Buliya Island – famous for manta ray snorkeling.

Named
after the French ship Astrolabe, the Great Astrolabe Reef, is a
breeding ground for big fish like tuna, marlin, giant Trevally and
sharks. Gaps in the reef can be subject to strong currents, but these
also bring in the nutrients which feed everyone along the food chain,
from the soft corals, to the reef fish, to the big fish. 

The
environment makes for adventurous and colorful diving, with sites like
Naiqoro Passage where you can experience big fish action against a
background of colorful soft coral coated walls. 

Access
to a range of dive sites from the 63m long Pacific Voyager Wreck, to
the Muto Marine Protected area and the Great Astrolabe Reef.

 SY SEAGLUB 🇺🇸 Chris - Hylas 46′

10) VAVA'U BOATYARD 🇹🇴 TONGA 
SPONSORS THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE

18° 38.625′  S  173° 59.7483′ W

The
island groups of Tonga are are some of the most beautiful in the world.
But the lack of secure hurricane/cyclone storage has always meant there
was that deadline, when cruisers have to leave this paradise far too
soon and seek shelter in Fiji or New Zealand. The BoatYard is a brand
new yacht haulage and hard stand facility in Vava’u, the first in Tonga,
and has turned Tonga into a safe year-round cruising destination!

We can offer your members a 10% discount on cyclone season storage and long time hardstand storage.

Cheers,

JOE

CONTACT The Boatyard Vava’u

+6768816854

+6768816846

info@boatyardvavau.com

Tonga’s Borders are open to the South Pacific Posse again!

18° 38.625′  S  173° 59.7483′ W

Vavaʿu
Group, island cluster of Tonga, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The
group comprises two chains, one coral and the other volcanic. To the
east lie uplifted coral islands, including Vavaʿu Island, the largest.
Vavaʿu with an active volcano rising to 600 feet, was discovered in 1781
by Spanish explorer Francisco Antonio Mourelle, who named it Amargura
(Spanish for “bitterness”) because of his disappointment at being able
to obtain neither food nor fresh water.

Vavaʿu
Island has a fine sheltered harbour and several unique coastal caves.
It is the site of Neiafu, the group’s administrative headquarters. Its
fertile soil yields corn (maize), breadfruit, yams, and copra, the last
for export. An airport is located at Lupepauʿu, in the northern part of
the island. Because of the myriad of islands to the south of Vavaʿu
Island and its many fine beaches and protected anchorages.

11) 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 

12) THE RAINBOW WARRIOR 
NZ vs FRANCE 

Speaking of Oppenheimer ... 

Between 1966 and 1996, the French government conducted 193 nuclear weapon tests in the islands of the South Pacific. These 

The
Rainbow Warrior was a Greenpeace flagship vessel used for environmental
activism and protests. On July 10, 1985, it was docked at the port of
Auckland, New Zealand, preparing for a campaign against French nuclear
testing in the South Pacific. France was conducting nuclear tests in the
region, which raised environmental and safety concerns, and Greenpeace
sought to draw attention to this issue.

In
what became a highly controversial and tragic event, French
intelligence agents bombed the Rainbow Warrior while it was berthed in
Auckland's Waitematā Harbour. The explosion sank the vessel and resulted
in the death of Fernando Pereira, a Portuguese photographer and
Greenpeace activist.

The
incident caused outrage both in New Zealand and internationally. It was
quickly revealed that French agents were behind the attack, which
further strained relations between New Zealand and France.

In
the aftermath of the bombing, the French government initially denied
any involvement. However, evidence soon emerged, and under mounting
international pressure, France eventually admitted responsibility for
the attack. The agents involved in the bombing were captured by New
Zealand authorities, but they were later released as part of a
diplomatic resolution between the two countries.

The Rainbow Warrior bombing, unrepentant French spy Christine Cabon  

The
Rainbow Warrior incident led to significant tensions between New
Zealand and France. New Zealand's Prime Minister at the time, David
Lange, condemned the attack and took a strong stance against French
actions. In response, New Zealand imposed sanctions on France, which
included economic and diplomatic measures.

One
of the most significant consequences of this diplomatic spat was the
downgrading of diplomatic relations between the two countries. France
withdrew its ambassador from New Zealand, and for a period, the
relationship between the two nations was severely strained.

In
subsequent years, however, the relationship gradually improved, and
diplomatic ties were eventually restored. The incident left a lasting
impact on New Zealand's stance on nuclear disarmament and environmental
activism, as well as its foreign policy approach towards France and
other nations.

The
bombing of the Rainbow Warrior remains a poignant reminder of the
importance of peaceful activism and the consequences of state-sponsored
actions against peaceful protesters.

The
level of animosity between New Zealand and France had significantly
diminished since the Rainbow Warrior incident in 1985. Over the years,
both countries have worked to rebuild their relationship and have
engaged in various diplomatic efforts to move past the incident.

The
reconciliation process has been aided by France's formal apology for
the bombing and the recognition of the incident's tragic consequences.
Additionally, the conviction and punishment of the French agents
involved in the attack also played a role in easing tensions.

Video of a day at the Rainbow Warrior memorial in Matauri Bay, NZ

13) SPECIAL EVENT IN TAHITI THIS WEEKEND

July 21st to 24th, we do organize an event in Tahiti  

We
also offer the cruisers the opportunity to invite a local inhabitant
during a day sail, to improve relationships between cruisers and
population. 

The Tahiti Moorea Sailing RDV is a annual 4-day event that

aims to give a warm Polynesian welcome to cruising sailors,

The 15 mn crossing from Tahiti to Moorea will be conducted

as a rally, not a race.

One large starting line will be set up outside the pass of Papeete

between the two race committee speed boats.

10:30 am start for all boats, given by flag sequence and on VHF 8.

Finish line is the outer set of red and green buoys

marking the Opunohu Bay entrance channel.

Permanent priority must be given to ferries and other commercial

traffic operating in the Tahiti-Moorea channel.

Please Note: If weather conditions prohibit an arrival before

3:00pm, the organizing committee can shorten the race by

announcing a finishing line offshore.

FRIDAY JULY 21

Welcome to TAHITI reception & cocktail

• 2:00 pm: Meet in the garden

of Papeete City Hall, the Mairie de Papeete.

Check in with our team at the committee booth and receive your welcome

kit (information folder, skippers’ briefing documents, T-Shirts, etc.). Meet

our partners from Tahiti, Australia, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu.

• 3:30 pm: Skippers’ briefing about navigation

in Moorea and the Leewards islands.

• 5:30 pm to 7:00pm: Welcome speech & cocktail

for fleet members offered by the South Pacific Sailing

Network (SPSN). Live Polynesian dance and music.

SATURDAY JULY 22

Sailing rally TAHITI TO MOOREA

• 10:30 am: Rally/race (“cruise-in-company”)

starts from Tahiti to Moorea.

By 9:00 or 9:30 am sailboats should leave Papeete Harbor, Arue and

Punaauia marinas, motoring to the pass of Papeete. Fleet will gather

outside the main entrance to Papeete Harbor for the 10:am start of

this (no-pressure) sailing rally to Moorea’s Opunohu Bay. Start of the

rally will be outside the coral reef of Papeete’s pass and in between

two speedboats of the organizing committee.

Finish line will be in the entrance pass of Opunohu Bay. Anchor inside

the bay, in the moorings areas allocated by PGEM.

5:00 pm: Dinghy ashore on the floating

pontoons of the small marina on the Kellum

domain. (Back of the bay.)

Sailors welcomed with music and flowers. Mingle with fleet members.

Register your team for Sunday’s outrigger canoe races. Conference

about traditional navigation.

• 7:00pm: Optional dinner in the marina

restaurant (with prior registration only).

SUNDAY JULY 23 – MOOREA

Sample Polynesian traditional sports and cultural exchanges

• 7:00 am: Moorea fresh baguette delivered

to each boat early in the morning

• 9:00 am: Dinghy ashore for a fun day of

traditional Polynesian sports in the magnificent botanical

garden of Kellum’s estate.

Local experts will demonstrate and cruisers can test their skills. The

highlight of the day will be the six-person outrigger canoe races,

where cruisers join local paddlers in a series of races.

• Noon: Optional lunch (Spit-roasted veal and polynesian

buffet : 4000 XPF/pers with prior registration only).

• 2:30 pm: Awards ceremony

and Tahitian dance show.

MONDAY JULY 24 – MOOREA

• 9:00 am: Presentation by SPSN partners of highly informative

seminars on cruising Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, and Vanuatu.

Complimentary beverages and croissants.

Registration for the four days of festivities and seminars

5000 XPF per
person (includes event T-shirt, Cocktails, flower leis, all activities
& entertainment, outrigger canoe race, live dances, fresh bread
delivery, trophies...)

14) "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

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

AUSTRALIA'S  QUEENSLAND ANCHORAGES ARE IN GOOD NAUTICAL 

16) HISTORIC PORTS ⚓ OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC 
SUVA  FIJI

Queen's Wharf

Queen’s
wharf was originally the main wharf for Suva. It was connected to Pier
Street before the area underwent land reclamation works. It was
dismantled in 1921 and replaced by the larger King’s Wharf at the
present site in Walu Bay.

Queen
Elizabeth II arrives in Suva, Fiji from the Royal yacht and is
presented a bouquet of flowers by Fijian girl Adi Kaunilotuma who sat
down in front of her on the carpet during the royal visit to Fiji in
1963. 

The Grand Pacific Hotel - 100% Colonial Style

Suva,
capital, chief port, and commercial centre of Fiji, in the South
Pacific Ocean. The city lies on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's
principal island. Founded in 1849, Suva became the capital in 1882 and
was made a city in 1952; it is now one of the largest urban centers in
the South Pacific islands.

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 AUD

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