Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre Noumea designed by Renzo Piano 🇳🇨 NEW CALEDONIA
TOP NEWS
L’ÎLOT AMÉDÉE 🇳🇨 NEW CALEDONIA
PICTURES OF THE WEEK
GET YOUR BURGEE
MONSOON’S TAKE
SAVE THE DATE
OCEAN TACTICS 🌪🌀
CYCLONE HOLES 🇫🇯 FIJI
RIVERGATE MARINA & SHIPYARD 🇦🇺
MANUAL TRACKING WITH PREDICT WIND SWITCH OVER
BOLO ALERT
HISTORIC PORTSVAVA’U KINGDOM OF 🇹🇴 TONGA
1) L’ÎLOT AMÉDÉE 🇳🇨 NEW CALEDONIA
The Amedee Lighthouse, located near Noumea, New Caledonia has some fascinating facts.
Construction: The Amedee Lighthouse was constructed in France in the late 1860s and was shipped in pieces to New Caledonia. It was designed by French engineer, Henri Becquerel, and stands as a testament to 19th-century engineering.
Tower Height: The lighthouse stands at a height of 56 meters (184 feet). It is one of the tallest lighthouses in the Southern Hemisphere and offers panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and islands surrounded by white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters with sea turtles nearby.
The lighthouse is made of cast iron plates, which were riveted together to form the cylindrical tower. It features a spiral staircase with 247 steps leading to the lantern room at the top. The lighthouse’s distinctive red and white stripes make it easily recognizable.
The Amedee Lighthouse is not just a historical , it is still an active lighthouse. It serves as an essential navigational aid, guiding ships through the coral reefs and marking the entrance to the Noumea harbor.
The original lense was made up of a series of prismatic segments and known as a Fresnel lens. It was made in Paris in 1862 by the Société des Etablissements Henry-Lepaute and was replaced in 1985.
Conservation Efforts: Due to its ecological importance, Amedee Island and its surrounding waters have been designated a marine protected area. This designation aims to preserve the diverse marine ecosystem and promote sustainable tourism practices
⚓ Good Anchorage & Mooring Balls @ 22° 28.55 S 166° 27.93 E Ilot Amadee 🇳🇨 NEW CALEDONIA
2) PICTURES OF THE WEEK
@ anchor with sharks
very good visibility * location withheld 😉
SY GLADAN 🇵🇱 Giancarlo & Paola – Lagoon 44′
Mt Yasur Volcano in Vanuatu with David in all it’s glory
On the edge of the caldron – phet phet phet is the sound of 2000 degree lava rocks landing all around you as they are launched at 1,000°C / 1,800°F. Estimated to erupt 10-20 times every hour as the volcano is constantly rumbling and causing the ground to shake.
SY DREAMER 🇺🇸 David & Gerne – Caliber 40lrv’
Experience in 30 seconds what a volcanic eruption looks like up close !
VANUATU IS IN GOOD NAUTICAL ⚓
SY ROLLING STONES 🇺🇸 Geoff, Meghan & crew Leopard 45′
SKY LIGHT
A coral bommie off a motu in Tahanea atoll FP
The sailing duo of Don Atwood and Julie Dunne will be chronicling their adventures, both land and sea with pictures and stories as they journey across the South Pacific aboard the sailboat First Light.
4) INTRODUCING THE LATEST SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE MARINA
MUSKET COVE MARINA 🇫🇯 SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE
We welcome any of the South Pacific Posse to Musket Cove at any time.
We’re pleased to offer a Free Berthing Day for 5 Paid Days to all South Pacific Posse Members.
Wayne Deed Musket Cove Fiji
Musket Cove in Fiji is a renowned destination that holds a special allure for yachts from all around the world.
Musket Cove is located in the idyllic Mamanuca Islands of Fiji, surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and lush tropical landscapes. The natural beauty is breathtaking and provides a perfect backdrop for hanging out a season in the tropics.
Fiji offers excellent sailing conditions and service oriented staff and vendors with consistent trade winds, calm waters, and numerous sheltered anchorages and amazing surf breaks. Musket Cove, in particular, benefits from its strategic location within the Mamanuca Islands, providing easy access to nearby islands, reefs, and marine parks with an easy ferry to get you and your crew and guest back to and from the main island and Nandi airport.
The marina offers a range of services, including berthing, fueling, making it a convenient and well-equipped base for yachts to dock, moor and refuel.
Musket Cove has developed a vibrant yachting community hosting various events, races, regattas, and social gatherings, fostering a sense of camaraderie among cruisers. These events provide opportunities for networking, sharing experiences, and celebrating the joy of exploring via yacht.
It also offers a range of amenities and services that appeal beyond sailors. The Musket Cove Island Resort provides luxurious accommodation, restaurant options spa facilities, and additional recreational activities, allowing you to unwind and indulge in a relaxed setting.
5) MORE PICTURES OF THE WEEK
enjoying some dolphins in the distance, or maybe to get some alone time
More exploration of the dramatic Marquesas. These islands were once the home of tens of thousands of Polynesians
We sail where the coconuts grow and … FALL!
Legendary Pampelmousse and local fruits grow among breadfruit plant or ‘uru, the coconut, the dozens of varieties of bananas including the incomparable orange plantain banana or fe’i, various root vegetables such as the taro, the tarua, the ufi, and the ‘umara make up the basis of island cuisine
The ancient Marquesan anthropomorphic sculptures or tiki have received wide attention since they were first noted in 1595. However, they have not been systematically and scientifically studied until 1984. Stylistically the Marquesan stone tiki followed certain social rules with similar characteristics to tattoos and material objects.
SY PISCES 🇺🇸 Mary & Kevin – Antares 44e’
SY CATWEAZLE 🇬🇧 Harriet & Russell – Allures 45′
SY SEAGLUB Chris – Hylas 46′
Jackiron at anchor in Atuona, Marquesas, French Polynesia
Nawi Island is located in the beautiful Fiji Islands.It will feature an International Superyacht Marina, which will have 132 marina berths, including 21 superyacht slips (up to 85m). The marina has been designed and built up to category 5 cyclone resistance rating.
The South Pacific Posse is planning a get together at Nawi on Sept 2nd 2023. A week before the infamous Musket Cove regatta. Nawi will be offering entertainment, markets, kava tasting and discounts on berths, water sport activities, restaurant & bar orders, with Pacific Posse hosting a Pig on the spit and rum delights.
16° 46.5716′ S 179° 19.9533′ E – Nawi Island Savusavu 🇫🇯 Fiji
The new and fully serviced marina includes “plug in” services through utility pedestals to water, sewerage pump out, power, fuel & gas facilities, plus 24hr security, complimentary Wifi, a.m.o..
7) OCEAN TACTICS 🌪🌀⛈️🌪️ SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE WEATHER ROUTING DEAL
“Winston, a category 5 storm traveling with winds at its center of 163 knots was closer than we wanted, but once communications were lost we didn’t know how close.
By 1800hrs the wind was 40 knots and rising steadily. The sound from the exposed top half of the rigging intensified to a piercing shriek. The dull groan from the hull swelled to a pulsing throb as the gale ripped over us at 100 knots. Il Silenzio was being thrown about in the dark like a drunken cork, but we trusted her steel hull and the preparations we had made.
Zazoo’s João up on the mast in the cyclone hole
Then we waited. More anchor checking. More rope adjustments.
More was to come in the form of an onslaught of rain in dense sheets, with flashes of lightning and crashing thunder. The initial wind direction created a tide surge and this surge, combined with the low spring tide, drained the river. Il Silenzio touched the bottom in the early hours of the morning and at low water was lying on her hull at about 40˚ on a cushion of mud. Even less windage in this position meant greater stability. Sleep was impossible at this angle, so we sat and listened to the drama playing out above us.
As the storm eased towards morning, the tide came in and Il Silenzio popped up. Our fitful dozing drifted into a restless sleep, difficult in 34-degree heat, but possible after a sleepless night. With the worst winds abated by late morning we assessed the damage. No boats had broken free and damage was minimal. Il Silenzio was in good shape, apart from a lawn of shredded mangrove leaves enveloping the deck. Our bolthole had been a good one.”
A matrix of ropes reminiscent of spaghetti was the result. With a muddy bottom for good anchoring and a small catchment with not too much runoff, this was an excellent refuge. We filled the dinghy with water for stabilising weight, everything was taken off the deck, the headsail was removed and the mainsail tightly lashed.
Official Customs and Quarantine Port of Entry for Australia in Queensland
Berths and deep water access for vessels up to 90M
24/7 on-water high-speed fuel facility and fuel bunkering
Single and 3 phase power up to 400 amp
Secure gated site monitored by patrols, CCTV cameras floodlit at night
Clean marina certified
Onsite storage
AMENITIES
Concierge service 7 days a week
Service berths with vehicle access
Free Wi-Fi
Laundry
Washrooms
Showers
Two Cafes
CONTACT
Alexander Binks
Marketing Coordinator
M +61 (0) 4 5226 3318
T +61 (0) 7 3907 1600
E marketing@rivergate.com.au
10) 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
WINNER OF THE GALLEY GOD(ESS) AWARD ’22 SY SKYPOND
11) MANUAL TRACKING WITH PREDICT WIND
SWITCH OVER
VIA THE OFFSHORE APP
DEADLINE JULY 1 2023
How to use GPS Manual Tracking in the Offshore App.
GPS Manual Tracking using the Offshore App can be achieved on PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices. The screenshots below are taken using a PC computer, the general principle is the same across all devices, but the look of the App may differ slightly to the screenshots below if you are using Mac, iOS or Android
NOTE ; If you have automated GPS tracking set up via a satellite device you cannot manual track as well. You will need to contact our Support Team if you would like to switch from automated to manual tracking.
Log in to your Offshore App and go to the GPS tracking tab on the left. It should look like this.
2. Select the Green Download button on the left. Make sure you have selected GPS tracking. Nothing else needs to be ticked for now.
3. Click through to Next > Download All
4. You should now see yourself off the coast of Africa at 0lat0long in the Default position set for tracking pages. However, you will now be able to see this icon that lets you add a manual GPS location.
5. Click on it to add your current GPS coordinates and time. Select NOW for the current time. Then select Save Point.
6. It will then notify that you have a Tracking Point pending upload/download.
7. Do another Download the same as last time, and your Tracking point will be uploaded and synchronized with the server. Your tracking page will now reflect your updated position for friends, family and fleet to see.
Vessel: “SMILES ROWBOAT”, MMSI 338399051, U.S. flag
Aaron Carotta on “Smiles* has lost all power and charging capability. He has no comms nor functional navigation equipment. He is also low on food. He therefore set off his PLB on May 28 at 05°15S 119°00W. It pinged only briefly. There was a second ping received on May 31 with new coordinates of 5° 30.00′ S 122° 00.00′ W.
The coordinates of the two beacons showed movement of 180 miles @ 266°.
Based on the assumption that Aaron is still rowing, his estimated location could be as far out, on June 7, 2023, 20:56 UTC, as
5° 45.360′ S
126° 37.547′ W
Aaron’s destination is the Marquesas. At the time of last social media update, Aaron communicated his desire to make more southerly and was being hindered by wind and ocean conditions. The bearing from the second ping to the northernmost Marquesas anchorage is 259°. He has a compass to steer by, but no way to know his position.
Please be on the lookout when approaching that area and report any sightings. Anybody who can help search or BOLO for Aaron should FIRST be in touch with JRCC Tahiti AND ALSO with our FB group to ensure good communication/coordination.
Contact info for Tahiti JRCC:
Email: contact@jrcc.pf
Phone: 0068 940 541 616
FB Group to contact: In Search of Adventure Aaron Carotta
If you have means to contact other vessels which may be in the area, please send them the above info, or post on the Facebook page above so one of Aaron’s team can try to reach them.
Those are all the boats in the area, their registration names and radio IDs and which direction and speed they are heading etc. if they all worked together and honed into a predicted location, they could find SMILES hopefully. Difficulty is knowing if he’s rowing or not. Personally Id conserve energy and water and just float as this also means he would be closer to his last known position
14) 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
When Captain James Cook arrived in Tonga in 1773, the local king, or Tu’i Tonga, did not intentionally lie to him. However, there might be some confusion or miscommunication that led to misunderstandings between the two parties.
During Cook’s visit, he encountered Fatafehi Paulaho, who claimed to be the Tu’i Tonga, the ruling chief of Tonga. However, Fatafehi Paulaho was not the legitimate Tu’i Tonga but rather a local chief who assumed the title. It is believed that he used the opportunity of Cook’s visit to elevate his status and gain recognition.
It’s important to note that Tonga had a complex social and political structure at the time, with multiple chiefs and sub-chiefs. The concept of a single, central ruler, like the Tu’i Tonga, held different meanings and roles depending on the period and context.
So, while Fatafehi Paulaho may have presented himself as the Tu’i Tonga and Cook might have believed him initially, it wasn’t a deliberate act of deception by the king. It was more likely a result of the complexities of Tonga’s social structure and the differences in understanding between the two cultures.
Tonga’s ability to resist colonization can be attributed to several factors:
Geographic Isolation Tonga is located in the South Pacific, which made it relatively isolated from major colonial powers during the era of European colonization. The distance and lack of easily accessible resources reduced the incentive for colonizers to establish a permanent presence in Tonga.
Strong Monarch Tonga had a well-established and centralized monarchy, with a long history of rule by the Tu’i Tonga and later the Tu’i Kanokupolu. The monarchy provided a source of stability and authority, allowing the Tongans to maintain a unified front against potential colonizers.
Skilled Navigators Tongans had a strong tradition of navigation and seafaring. They were adept sailors and had developed sophisticated navigation techniques, allowing them to explore and interact with other Pacific islands. This expertise and knowledge of the seas might have made potential colonizers wary of engaging with Tonga.
Diplomacy & Negotiation Tonga had a tradition of diplomatic relationships with foreign powers. Tongan leaders, such as King George Tupou I, engaged in diplomatic negotiations with European powers, establishing treaties that recognized Tonga’s independence and sovereignty. These treaties, along with Tonga’s diplomatic efforts, helped protect the kingdom from colonization.
Internal Unity & Resistance The Tongan people had a strong sense of cultural identity and unity, which contributed to their ability to resist colonization. There were instances where Tongans actively resisted attempts at colonization, demonstrating their commitment to preserving their way of life and sovereignty.
Tonga was never formally colonized it did enter into a treaty relationship with Britain in 1900, known as the Treaty of Friendship. Under this treaty, Tonga maintained its independence but recognized Britain’s influence in matters of foreign policy and defense. Tonga remains the only Pacific island nation to never have been fully colonized.
Captain Cook and the ‘Friendly Islands’?
Captain Cook first landed in the Tongan islands on 2 October 1773, during his second Pacific voyage. In 1774 he returned for four days and received such a warm welcome that he named Tonga the “Friendly Islands”. However, it is now widely thought that the Tongan chiefs had planned to attack Cook and his crew and seize the Resolution and Adventure.
The first account of the supposed plot against the Resolution was given by William Mariner, a young man serving on the British privateer Port au Prince when it was attacked in Lifuka in 1806. Twenty-six of the crew survived. Mariner was adopted by the chief Finau ‘Ulukalala-‘i-Ma‘ofanga and lived in Tonga for four years. |
Finau told Mariner that the “Feenow” Cook had known was his father, who had been instrumental in planning an attack on Cook. The plan was called off when the chiefs disagreed about whether to attack under cover of darkness or during the day.
Fīnau ʻUlukālala I (or his brother) on Vavaʻu in 1793, in Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardiere,
When Mariner returned to London, he was contacted by John Martin, an ethnographically-minded doctor. Together they authored An Account of the Natives of the Tonga Islands (1817), one of the most accurate accounts of Tongan life in the early 19th century. In the opinion of most scholars, Mariner’s account is accurate. So was the plot to kill Cook in Tonga real, and was Cook so naïve as to be oblivious to the danger? There are some factors to take into account.
When the Port au Prince was attacked in 1806, Tonga had been in the grip of civil war for seven years. The prosperous and scattered people Cook had observed were corralled inside guarded fortresses and slowly starving as harvest after harvest was destroyed by neglect and attacking armies. The different island groups were controlled by warring chiefs, each aware of the advantage which possession of European firearms and iron goods would afford them in their political and economic struggles.
The outbreak of the civil war had very little to do with European arrivals. Tensions between the three chiefly lineages holding spiritual, administrative and political authority had been mounting for nearly two decades, and came to a head with the assassination of chief Tuku‘aho in 1799. By the time Mariner was living with Finau ‘Ulukalala-‘i-Ma‘ofanga, it was deemed expedient to have a European or two to assist in battles, and as a kind of status symbol.
Original copperplate engraving after the drawing by the Admiralty-appointed official artist on the voyage, John Webber (1751-1793). This engraving is part of a series of 78 plates, based on Webber’s drawings to include indigenous people, artifacts and views. It was published for Anderson’s “Complete History of Captain Cook’s First, Second and Third Voyages” published in London published by Alexander Hogg circa 1784.
HIS MAJESTY KING TUPOU VI OF TONGA
Born ‘Aho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho, on 12 July 1959 in Nuku’alofa, he is the 3rd son and youngest of four children of Their late Majesties King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV and Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho.
‘Aho’eitu ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Tuku’aho received three chiefly titles as is customary in the Tongan tradition, He commonly used these titles Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, until he became Crown Prince.
Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata was educated at The Leys School, Cambridge then attended the University of East Anglia in 1980 where he graduated with a degree in Development Studies.
Upon returning to Tonga in 1982, the young prince joined the Navy at the Tonga Defence Services and gaining promotion to Lieutenant-Commander in 1987.
He graduated from the US Naval War College in 1988 and from 1990 to 1995 he took command of the Pacific-class patrol boat VOEA Pangai and led peace keeping missions in Bougainville.
In 1997, he graduated with a Masters in Defence Studies from the University of New South Wales and in 1999 he earned a MA in International Relations from Bond University, Australia.
Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata joined the civil service in 1998 occupying two portfolios, Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs. He was appointed Prime Minister from January 2000 to February 2006. Later that year he received the title Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka when his elder brother became King George Tupou V.
In 2008, the Crown Prince was appointed Tonga’s first High Commissioner to Australia and Ambassador to Japan until his succession to the Throne in 2012, when his brother King George Tupou V passed away and immediately became King and Head of State.
His Majesty Tupou VI was formally crowned King in July 2015 in a series of ancient private and public ceremonies and religious services attended by both regional and global leaders who travelled to Tonga for this special occasion.
His Majesty married Nanasipauʻu Vaea on 11 December 1982 who his accession to the Throne became Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho of Tonga.
16) MEET OUR SPONSORS
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OCEAN TACTICS | PACIFIC WEATHER ROUTING
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[…] 🏝️ L’ÎLOT AMÉDÉE 🇳🇨 NEW CALEDONIA📷 PICTURES OF THE WEEK🔺 GET YOUR BURGEE⛵ MONSOON’S TAKE🎉 SAVE THE DATE🌪 OCEAN TACTICS🌀 CYCLONE HOLES 🇫🇯 FIJIRIVERGATE MARINA & SHIPYARD 🇦🇺📍 MANUAL TRACKING WITH PREDICT WIND SWITCH OVER📢 BOLO ALERT⚓ HISTORIC PORTS VAVA’U KINGDOM OF 🇹🇴 READ MORE >> […]