Tuesday 31 May 2011

Health setback

Jean has been feeling a bit better but remained abnormally tired and lacking energy so we decided to get to the bottom of the problem once and for all. We made an apppointment with a doctor in Paihia who had been  recommended by Russell Radio. So, yesterday we anchored off Paihia which we were able to do as the wind was offshore. Wouldn't have been able to do that in the next few days with the 40 knot easterlies that are forecast. We dropped anchor off the southern end of Paihia with only about 2 feet of water under the keel at low tide!!
Jean had her appointment yesterday afternoon and the doctor confirmed a problem with her trachea which is causing oxygen defficiency which in turn is causing the lack of energy and even the nausea and fainting that she has been experiencing. And as anyone who knows her, lack of energy is definitely not part of her character!!! The upshot is that she urgently needs to see a specialist and we are working on this at the moment.
It will either mean that she needs to get back to Whangarei or possibly Auckland and then we should have absolute confirmation. Then it will be a case of what needs to happen from there - maybe some sort of minor surgery, but it's definitely fixable. That's the main thing. Just what all this means as far as our sailing intentions go remains to be seen but no doubt we will be in NZ for a while yet.
We were just having a conversation discussing that Jean has probably only been operating on a one third energy level and just what she would be like when she's back to 100%. Scary monster stuff!!! But at least we're on to it and all will be well in time.
In the meantime we're just going to wait in the Bay until appointments are confirmed. The next few days are going to be a bit rough with the easterly storm coming through but we will probably anchor in Matauwhi Bay just around from Russell to stay close to transport links.
Watch this space as always.
Cheers,
Jim and Jean (Gina)

Sunday 29 May 2011

Disappointment - but 3rd. time lucky no doubt!

Well, as some of you know we left for New Caledonia on Saturday but turned back. We had had a meal at the Opua Cruising Club on the Friday night and Gina had gravy on hers as did Jim. However, one should know better because catering packs of gravy mix almost always contain MSG (monosodium glutamate) and she is highly allergic to MSG. That night she didn't sleep at all which in itself isn't a good prelude to an ocean passage but she seemed a bit better in the morning and there was a good weather window. So, we decided to go and cleared Customs and topped up our fuel. We then sailed out of the Bay in murky brown chocolate coloured water - after all the recent heavy rain.
We were sailing in around 15 knots of SW wind with a reefed main, staysail and reefed genoa. The old girl seemed happy under that combination and we were making a good 5 - 6 knots of boat speed but as we proceeded further north she was putting her bow under into the leftover northerly swell! However, all was well and we went onto Russell Radio's evening sched at 1800. Then Gina started feeling really bad and blacked out at one stage. She wasn't capable of standing watches and that left Jim on his own which isn't sustainable for too long. Because of this and because of Gina's worsening condition we made the decision to turn back when we were about 60 miles north of the Bay of Islands. Lat 34 degrees 48 minutes S Long 173 degrees 50 minutes E. As you can imagine this was extremely disappointing for both of us and Gina not only felt physically wretched but mentally pretty miserable as well. However, there is still time to try again which we will do. We had thought of anchoring somewhere (Whangaroa or the Cavallis) and advising Customs but we would then have lost the weather window so the decision to return was the right one. Before we left there was another boat called "Courage" which we had come to know during our stays at the Norsand Boatyard in Whangarei and which was also in the Opua marina and intending to sail to Noumea as well. However, they had been advised by their weather guru (someone who has done over 30 passages up there) that this current window wasn't right and so they had made the decision not to go yet. In hindsight we should probably have made the same decision, although it's an extreme balancing act - not helped by the ridiculous Cat One nonsensical requirements - see below!!!
We sailed and motorsailed all night (dodging fishing boats) and were back outside the Cavallis at 0200. We slowed the boat down until we could enter the BOI in daylight and then proceeded to Opua to go through the surreal process of clearing back in. We were told by Customs that we might have to obtain another Cat One certificate as Cat One only lasts for 30 days (although a WOF for a motor vehicle is good for at least 6 months!) and in any case every certificate is cancelled once a boat leaves. One can only come to the conclusion that it is purely and simply a money making exercise on the part of Yachting NZ. Where is the logic is saying that a vessel meets safety standards and then immediately cancelling the document that says so once it leaves??? Presumably it is OK for that same vessel to arrive somewhere else and then clear out without any safety document!! It is only for NZ registered vessels leaving NZ that this nonsense exists because without Cat One Customs will not clear the vessel. They tried it a few years ago for foreign registered vessels as well but an American took them to Court and won. It is sensible to have certain safety requirements but for goodness sake allow the currency of Cat One to remain in force for at least 12 months regardless of whether a vessel leaves or doesn't leave NZ or returns or whatever. We will be contacting Yachting NZ and the yachting inspector in Whangarei (who incidentally is a very experienced offshore yachtsman and a very reasonable person to deal with) to try to resolve this seemingly bureaucratic impasse.
We then left Opua and motored around to the old familiar anchorage in Paroa Bay which Jim has known for over 60 years!! On the way around we passed one of the RNZN's frigates anchored in the Renown Anchorage off Long Beach and inspected them closely! We didn't have our gun mounted so could have been at a slight disadvantage!!
The wind is light SW and this is a perfect sheltered anchorage - just what we need. Gina is slowly improving but both of us are suffering from lack of sleep and this is just the place to catch up on that.
We are both feeling much better this morning which is fine and sunny. Time to get out and enjoy the Bay for a few days before the next batch of bad weather arrives.
As always watch this space.

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Wednesday 25 May 2011

Category One - Tiare Taporo III (NZ1572)

Good evening,
We are seeking some clarification of the rules surrounding the expiry of Cat One certificates. We have a Cat One certificate dated April 22nd 2011 issued in Whangarei for our vessel "Tiare Taporo III". After then waiting some 3 weeks for a very elusive weather window we then were intending to clear Customs out of Marsden Cove, Whangarei on Monday the 16th. May. However, the expected weather window did not materialise until the 18th. and by then was looking fairly short lived. So we made the decision to come north to the Bay of Islands where we now are.
We have  identified a probably better window for departure on Sat. the 28th. but have now struck an issue with the date of our Cat One certificate. We have been informed by NZ Customs, Opua that the currency of Cat One certificates is 30 days. We were not informed specifically of that when it was issued, beyond a comment that there was some sort of time limit on Cat One certificates not specified. Could you please clarify urgently.
On the 28th. our Cat One certificate will be 36 days old - apparently 6 days out of date which means that we are going to have to either delay our departure yet again or somehow get it re-dated. This seems to us to be something of a bureaucratic nonsense, especially as it's possible to get a warrant of fitness for a motor vehicle for 6 months and in the case of a new vehicle, 12 months. We have spent in excess of NZD300,000 on an extensive refit over the last 3 years and as a result our vessel is probably more qualified to undertake an ocean passage than most who leave these shores. And if you are a foreign registered vessel there are no safety issues or requirements at all in spite of the fact that if such a vessel was in distress NZ Search and Rescue would still be involved if it was in the NZ Search and Rescue area. And we are sure you would agree that it would make a nonsense of safety considerations if NZ registered vessels put to sea regardless of sea conditions just in order to depart before expiry of their Cat One certificates!!!
We will ask the inspector to fax an extension to H.M. Customs Opua but, as we said, would appreciate your clarification as to the legal requirements.
Thank you
Jim Donald
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
currently moored in the Opua Marina.
Ph. 027 274 2004
 

Sunday 22 May 2011

Anchored in Kororareka Bay

Hi
Good to hear from you "Giselle". Feeling envious of you up in the warmth. We are anchored off Russell tonight after coming up from Whangamumu today. Caught a Kingfish just south of Cape Brett - just a small one and had it for lunch. It was a beautiful day with hardly any wind and just the start of the expected NE. Got to put up with a few days of indifferent weather coming and then hopefully another window. We will then be off to the warmth.
Have just finished reading Millenium I (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) & II (The Girl who played with Fire) by Stieg Larsson translated into English from the original Swedish. Couldn't put them down. Very involved and thought provoking and edge of the seat stuff. We originally bought them to read on passage but couldn't resist!! Highly recommended and now about to start Millenium III ( The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' Nest). We'll have to pay another visit to a book shop to get some more reading matter for the postponed passage!! Not to mention replenishing some of our cruising provisions already consumed and another round of washing in a laundry somewhere - the trials and tribulations of the cruising life!! Not all beer and skittles and G & T's at sunset. But there are some compensations such as coming round the outside of Piercy Is. (off Cape Brett) today in glorious weather and admiring as always the majestic scenery. Not a place to be trifled with but on a day like today it was magnificent.
As always watch this space...........
Cheers,
Jim and Gina (Jean)

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Thursday 19 May 2011

Royal NZ Navy in Whangamumu

We've had a mostly pleasant sail up the coast but nowhere near enough wind - below 10 knots most of the way. We are now in Whangamumu and it is a windless beautiful evening - about 1630. On the way in here we saw one of the RNZN patrol boats to seaward of us travelling south at high speed. They must have seen us and they slowed and altered course towards us. Quite a majestic sight seeing one of these heading straight towards with a high bow wave!! We thought of mounting the 4.7 on the foredeck and firing a warning shot across their bows but then thought better of it!! They launched a fast inflatable as the ship was probably a bit big to come right in and they came alongside and gave us a searching look before going in further and checking out another yacht already anchored in the bay. No doubt looking for yachts that might have already cleared Customs and then decided to quietly anchor for the night. Definitely against the rules. Just as well we hadn't cleared already!
Into the Bay of Islands tomorrow - Cape Brett is only 5 miles north of us here.
Cheers..............

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(no subject)

Another brief update. We left Marsden Cove this morning about 0930 and had a brisk sail in at times up to 30 knot SWesterlies. Came into Tutukaka, dropped anchor and had a sleep! Delicious chicken soup for dinner made by Jean - easily as good as the best we had in Malaysia. Listening on the radio scheds for boats that have left NZ in the last few days and all having good winds. Going lighter in the next few days though. We are probably looking at the end of next week for the next window - hopefully it will be a good one. Tomorrow night either Mimiwhangata or Whangamumu.
Cheers,
Jim and Jean (Gina)

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Tuesday 17 May 2011

Weatherbound and frustrations

Hi,
Well, we're still here - rang Customs at 0730 this morning and cancelled yet again! Nothing works properly in this place - we haven't been able to get 7 day forecasts because the local internet is down and no-one has any idea when it might be fixed, the power connection didn't work because they didn't have any adaptors, and with the general bleakness and exposed nature of the place it is next to impossible to leave the berth, much less get alongside the fuel jetty. Anyway, this morning before the wind got up too much we decided to give the fuel jetty a go. We had some help from another boat to get out and so had an inadvertant extra crew member across to the fuel jetty! We berthed without incident but when we went to use our debit card to authorise fuel delivery it wouldn't work. Much swearing and gnashing of teeth then. Imagine if we had just cleared Customs and then couldn't go because we couldn't get fuel. Fortunately at that point just as we were getting ready to go to the office and have a rant at them, a woman who works in the cafe said good morning to us. We replied that it might have been if we could get this f........... machine to work!!! Well, she said we could walk up to the fuel bowser in the carpark (at least 200 metres away) which is linked to the fuel jetty. So we did and hey presto, it worked and we got our fuel. But what a performance and it typifies the whole place. They have spent a lot of money here and the facilities and berths are of a high standard but it is let down in small ways - although not being able to get fuel just before an ocean passage is no small thing. And it is so bleak and windswept with very little development so far; it must be eating its financial head off. There are no service facilities here and even just access to provisions is non existent. There is a mediocre cafe, a liquor store whose prices have to be seen to be believed (we tried to get duty free from there last time and their duty free prices were more than Super Liquor's retail prices in Whangarei!!!), a hairdresser for God's sake, and a few empty retail spaces. And very few berths sold so we were told. Before we came in here they said we could berth where we liked as there are a huge number of empty berths unsold and unleased.
Anyway, the last long range weather forecast we have seen indicated winds dropping rapidly towards the end of this week and then a fierce low pressure system advancing across the Tasman. So we have decided to head up to the Bay of Islands tomorrow (which had always been our intention in any case) and then clear out of Opua when the next window presents. We will probably lose a week or two but can't be helped. We've sat around here waiting for the much promised W and SW winds which have only materialised today but really too late before the next nasty hits us and we could see ourselves becalmed 100 or so miles north of North Cape right in its path perhaps as the present winds diminish to variable 10 knots on Saturday. Lovely for being out in the garden but not so hot for keeping a yacht moving fast enough to escape the next bout of bad weather.
More from the blogsite in due course!
Cheers,
Jim and Gina

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(no subject)

Hi everyone,
We are still at Marsden Cove with gales blowing, a gale warning out for coastal areas and anxious conversations with fellow voyagers!! The English boat ("Pickles") left today as did the German/Polish couple and a German catamaran called "Sputnik"!!! "Pickles" with 4 children on board was going to Fiji so would have had a better wind angle. We are still awaiting these elusive SW winds but at the time of writing we are still getting NW! Albeit lighter. We hope that overnight there is a W-SW change as we are supposed to clear Customs tomorrow morning. One feels between a rock and a hard place because if we delay too long we'll get caught up by a particularly nasty low pressure system advancing rapidly towards us across the Great Australian Bight. And then we'll be here for another duration. So we need to get going and get far enough north to clear the low and get into the SE trades which should waft us north!! It's a real balancing act.
So, in the morning early we'll go to the fuel dock to top up our diesel before the wind gets up and makes manoeuvering around the marina (which is windswept at the best of times) quite fraught. Then we'll berth again and await Customs. We need to lash the anchors, dinghy and rig the jacklines. These latter to stop us going overboard! Then we're away - only with the proviso that the weather is a little kinder than it has been.
As always watch this space.
Cheers
Jim and Gina

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Sunday 15 May 2011

Still weatherbound

We are now weatherbound at Marsden Cove with persistent and very strong NW winds which are proving very intractable. Feeling very frustrated!! Marsden Cove is very windswept and quite depressing as there is still very little development and all the surrounding land is flat which makes it susceptible to any wind going. It is just up harbour from the Marsden Point oil refinery and port. We have doubled up our mooring lines and are riding out the wind and rain. Still, better here than out off the coast where a gale warning is in force. We have to be here as it's the only Customs port (apart from Marsden Point itself); otherwise we could go to the Bay of Islands and clear out of there. There are about half a dozen yachts berthed near us and all are waiting to depart. There's an English couple with their 4 children, a Polish/German couple, a French couple from Koumac, New Caledonia, a Swiss yacht and an American one. Very international!!
We had lunch at the marina cafe which was OK (don't know how they stay alive economically) and then went for a walk around the residential parts of the marina. There are a few houses on canals with mooring pontoons - all very boring and most appear to have been built as spec. houses - very risky we would have thought in this economic climate. But most waterfront sites are unsold and the pontoons mostly empty except for some that are probably just rented in the meantime.
All in all not the place one wishes to spend any enforced time. Jean has just gone ashore for a shower which is quite a route march and in this weather potentially quite wet!
We have advised Customs that we are looking at Wednesday to leave; hopefully by then the weather will be somewhere near acceptable. We'll keep you updated.
Cheers............

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Saturday 14 May 2011

Leaving - for real!!!

Well, this time we are going. Really!! We have an appointment with Customs for 1000 tomorrow morning. After waiting for 3 weeks for a suitable weather window Noumea is our first destination. The only thing that might delay us for 24 hours or so is that the weather could be worse than forecast but all indications are that the winds, which are favourable will gradually abate.
Don't forget to check our website www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com as we will be updating the website rather than sending out group emails, especially on passage. The email, if you wish to contact us directly, is ZMQ5985@sailmail.com and please don't hit the reply button if replying to any message from us. Always use a "fresh" email. We won't have access to this yahoo address in about 2 hours time.
We hope all is well with everyone and will look forward to your news from time to time.
With lots of love,
Jim and Jean (Gina) 

Saturday 7 May 2011

Frustrated!!! (With the weather!)

Well, we are still here and, apart from a brief trip down the harbour and back tomorrow and Tuesday, we are likely to remain in the short term. We need a minimum of 3 days of southerly quarter winds to get clear and to give you an idea of our weather problem here is the forecast for the next 7 days as at 1030 Sunday the 8th.:
Sunday NW-W-SW 10-15 knots clear
Monday W10 - E10 clear
Tuesday E10-NE15-20 rain
Wednesday NE25-N30-NW35 rain
Thursday N20-NW10-N20 clearing
Friday 13th!!!!! We wouldn't go today anyway!! NW15-NW25-W25 rain then clearing
Saturday NW20-W20-W25-20-SW15 rain clearing - at last a glimmer of hope if the SW or any southerly for that matter stays around for 3-4 days.
We live in hope.
Watch this space.

Wednesday 4 May 2011

Still weeatherbound!

Another update. We are watching the weather daily - mainly on the Metvuw site which gives detailed weather maps up to 7 days in advance. Every time we think we see a period of southerly quarter winds developing there's another low approaching with more northerlies! Very frustrating.  So, our departure date at this stage remains uncertain. We will probably go to the BOI to clear out of there but even that is subject to change. The alternative is to clear directly out of Marsden Cove. In the meantime we are doing last minute jobs and watching the weather!
Cheers,
Jim and Jean (Gina)