1) Australia opens up 2) South Pacific Posse grows to 29 yachts from 12 flag states 3) The burgees are ready for hoisting
1) COFFS HARBOUR 🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA PORT OF ENTRY
As of March 3 2022
Australia’s international border has opened to fully vaccinated entry without quarantine. Visa holders no longer require exemptions to enter Australia.
Applications for maritime arrivals to enter quarantine free vary slightly between states.
As a general rule, vessel occupants are required to be fully vaccinated, receive a negative Covid-19 test at the previous departure port and on again upon arrival.
Applies only to private (non-commercial) vessels planning to clear at an Appointed Port of Entry
BEFORE ARRIVAL
Immigration:
If you’re traveling to Australia by boat, the master of a vessel arriving in Australia is required by law to give notice of impending arrival at least 96 hours before arrival. Penalties may apply for failure to do so. Information to be provided ahead of time is:
the name of your vessel
the vessels country and port of registration
your intended first port of arrival
your estimated arrival time
the last four ports you visited
the details of all on board full name, dob, nationality, passport number
details of any illness or disease recently encountered
if you have any animals on board the vessel
if you have any firearms on board the vessel
Send the relevant information and details via one of the below options:
The South Pacific Posse Burgees are in Nuku Hiva with Kevin at Nuku Hiva Yacht Services and with Juanjo at Shelter Bay Marina - please pick yours up and notify us when you do with a proper picture.
4) KAVA
KAVA can be purchased at local markets in Fiji.
Nice weather window approaching so gonna take some time to go visit a few of the outer islands, time to go to the market and stock up on kava...
It is tradition to present the leader or village chief with a Kava root, which you can find at any Fijian market. This will show your true understanding of the Fijian culture and the significance of the kava ceremony.
The kava ceremony focuses around the communal Kava tanoa (bowl). Guests sit in a circle around the bowl which is placed in front of the leader . The ceremony commences with the actual production of the Kava. The plant is pounded and the pulp placed into a cloth sack and mixed with water. The end result is a brownish colored liquid – the Kava gold. It is then strained and ready for drinking and consumed by the visitors and the village chief and his entourage.
In Fiji, a kava ceremony is a ritual in many remote villages. Fijian families and friends gather together and enjoy Kava together. It is what Fijians commonly refer to as 'Fiji time'. You can ask for a full coconut shell or half shell.
Kava aka yaqona, aka grog, is the traditional drink in Fiji. It is a mildly narcotic and sedative drink made from the crushed root of the yaqona (pronounced yang-GO-na) strained with water. It is served in a large communal bowl as part of the traditional kava ceremony. When you drink it it morphs into a pleasant, numb feeling around the mouth, lips and tongue, as well as a sense of calm and relaxation.
You can ask for a full or half coconut shell
Despite the naturally calming effects of the drink, the true experience lies in partaking in the ceremony. Kava is traditionally served as part of a ceremonial atmosphere, most commonly in welcoming guests into a village or on important occasions.
"Kaivalagi" is a Fijian word meaning someone "from the land of the foreigners." Its antonym, kaiviti, means "someone from Fiji." It is often used instead of the word "vulagi", meaning foreigner or stranger.
Here are some kaivalagis drinking Kava
SV SEAGLUB 🇺🇸 Chris - Hylas 46′
5) CYCLONE HOLES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Mangrove lined rivers are the ultimate cyclone holes as these 4-5 foot mangroves absorb the energy of strong winds.
Anchorages on the North coasts in South Pacific Islands are more susceptible to surge and devastation. In the Southern hemisphere tropical storms are called cyclones and rotate in a clockwise direction.
Sample Track of Cyclones Gita in '18 and Winston in '16
A few natural cyclone holes to ponder in the South Pacific
Huahine - Society Isands - French Polynesia Taha'a - Society Isands - French Polynesia Pago PagoHarbour- Tutuila - American Samoa Neiafu - Vava'u - Tonga SuvaHarbour - Vitu Levu - Fiji Savusavu - Vanua Levu - Fiji Port Denarau River- Vitu Levu - Fiji Port Sandwich - Malekula - Vanuatu Oyster Island - Turtle Bay - Espiritu Santo - Vanuatu Noumea Inner Harbour - New Caledonia Baie du Carneage - Prony Bay - New Caledonia (pictured below)
Sevenstar is the world’s leading provider of yacht shipping services on a lift-on, lift-off basis. Sevenstar has access to the Spliethoff fleet of over 120 company owned vessels. With an impressive 1,500+ transports per year, they are calling over 100 ports in more than 40 countries worldwide.
For a quote with the Panama Posse discount please contact Kris Caren
email: kris@sevenstar-usa.com
web: sevenstar-usa.com
13) PANAMA CANAL AGENT CENTENARIO CONSULTING ERICK GALVEZ
To arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact Eric Galvez our dedicated Panama Canal agent and sponsor of the Panama Posse and the Pacific Posse
