POSSE PERK: WEEKLY LIVE CALLS WITH LOCAL WEATHER REPORTS

☎️ Free Weekly live calls on Mondays via dedicated LINE.me group

The Ocean Posse has weekly, live, in-season calls dedicated to five different regions where posse members are cruising:

The Pacific Americas Route (Beginning October 28 through June)
The Caribbean Route (Beginning October 28 through June)
The Atlantic Route (Beginning October 28 through June)
The Mediterranean Route (Beginning October 28 through June)
The South Pacific Route (In process now ending November 4th)

an example of in season Line call schedule

During the Weekly calls members join in to:

Share any emergency or emergency relay needed
update one another on location, any issues they may be having, or fun stuff they are doing
Receive weather report from Captain Dietmar
Questions people have for one another.

This weekly communication is a a little bit like a net and fulfills all the same functions.

by EDITOR

KEKADA II SAILS INTO NEW ZEALAND FOR THE SUMMER

SV KEKADA II CLEARS INTO NEW ZEALAND

FOR THE SUMMER

Recently, SV KEKADA II and her crew just finished their third Pacific Crossing and cleared into New Zealand. I asked Don and Anja if they would share a bit of their experience as there are many members of the Ocean Posse that do not have three Pacific Crossings under their keel...and just might some day. So what's it take? Read on to find out.

Don shared:

We cleared into New Zealand at Opua. Very quick. Had done the notice of arrival and inward passenger cards online prior. Customs entailed answering a few basic questions while they completed the TIE (Temporary Import Entry) (very handy for GST free boat stuff). They also gave me a biosecurity master's declaration form which I could have also finished prior to arrival but simply forgot to. Two minute inspection and all finished. We can work, stay as long as we like, no visas, etc. Biosecurity was a few minutes later and I had time to finish the declaration. He checked the fridge but we really did not have anything left. We showed him some shell necklaces we had been given, all good. Basically, he accepted our word for everything else. Our last stop had been Norfolk Island (Australia) which probably helped.

This is our third Pacific crossing so after French Polynesia we did the Samoa, Wallis, Fiji, New Caledonia route for a change. Previously, we have done the Rarotonga, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia route. The boat will spend summer in New Zealand. We will have some home time in Adelaide.

(Preparing for our passages) I check as many sources as I can re: weather but do my own passage planning. Since French Polynesia the coffee machine has not had to be moved from the bench top. (There were) a couple of days where it came close but basically a milk run. If this is your first time then I suggest Tonga, Minerva Reef, New Zealand even if you backtrack to Tonga from Fiji. The passages are shorter to one has a better chance of accurate weather predictions than Fiji to New Zealand.

Best advice: Be patient and wait for weather windows. NO SCHEDULES

SV KEKADA II Don & Anja – Leopard 53’

by EDITOR

SAILING NOTES FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC FOR OCEAN VOYAGERS

Sailing Notes from the South Pacific for Ocean Voyagers

Geologically young and dramatically, steep, mountainous Marquesan islands jut skyward out of the Southern Pacific Ocean. Tikis and coconut palms look out to sea.

The Ocean Posse is working to bring three posses together: the Atlantic posse, the Panama posse and the Pacific Posse so that we will have better overlap to share information and benefits across the oceans that we sail. Some have crossed oceans that others are considering crossing. Here, I will share notes from the South Pacific for people considering sailing to the South Pacific, or for those that just want to vicariously enjoy the cerulean blues, coconut palms, island communities spread throughout the South Pacific.

Presently, SV WHILRWND is underway in the Tuamotus, the second of five island groups in French Polynesian that we have visited since making landfall from Panama in May 2024. The Tuamotus, are sometimes referred to as ‘the dangerous islands’ for all the low lying fringing coral reefs boats can and have run aground on which require careful navigation. So far, with a person on bow watch, the charts on Navionics, and multiple satellite overlays in OPEN CPN navigating the Tuamotus has been very fun. There is a timing element one must consider when entering and exiting the atolls, between atolls we are sailing in the open ocean with ocean swell instantly, and within the atolls we are sailing in lagoons with little to no waves navigating coral bommies looking for a calm spot in the sand to drop our anchor.

So many different shades of blue in the Tuamotus atoll lagoons.

Slivers of fringing reef encircle blue lagoons studded with coral heads called "bommies"

Over the past two months, We have had the good fortune to see an abundance of coral and undersea life, more blue hues than I knew existed, and a few of the Southern Hemisphere Humpback whales that come annually to the oceanic islands of the South Pacific to breed and calf. According to a cruising marine biologist friend the Southern Hemisphere Humpback whales will be turning back towards their summer feeding grounds off Antarctica in the next few weeks. There is a singular raised atoll in the NW part of the Tuamotus called Makatea where, in settled conditions, one can anchor outside the atoll on the leeward side and possibly see whales this time of year. Looking at the weather with this possibility in mind we saw a sweet weather window that looked perfect for an adventure: two days of downwind sailing from Fakarava to Makatea in time for the wind to die off for three calm days anchored in the lee of the island, followed by wind from the south to carry us north to Tikihau where there is a manta ray feeding station, and on Rangiroa the second larges atoll in the world. We have friends coming in on October 11th and as all cruisers know this hard stop commitment presents an added element into every sailing schedule. Guests visiting the Tuamotus fly into Tahiti and then take an inner island flight to the Tuamotus. Interestingly, many atolls have airports: Fakarava and Rangiroa being the two largest atolls have airports that are more frequented than others. So, (Option 1) we could stay in and around Fakarava until our guests come (very relaxing) or (Option 2) we could go on a little atoll tour and make our way to Rangiroa to meet them (an adventure). We decided that the weather window looked good for an adventure and the plan was sound.

Our 'plan' was to sail from Fakarava for two days, spend a few days on the leeward side of Makatea, then sail to Tikihau for a few days and around to Rangiroa to pick up our friends.

Downwind sailing with the mainsail, mizzen, and spinnaker

We weighed anchor in time to catch the high water slack and sail through the exit in the southern pass. After exiting the atoll, one is in the ocean immediately and we noted a long slow 1m southerly swell. The conditions were great and we set our kite for a smooth downwind sail. A few hours in our buddies received an email from a French weather service sending out an alert to all mariners of a significant southern swell developing and moving north into the Tuamotus. We pulled up the weather and, sure enough, although the wind was still forecast to be settled in a few days around Makatea the swell was going to be too big to comfortably anchor on the outside of the atoll much less enter through the pass of an atoll. We decided to reroute to Tikihau and save Makatea for another time.

There is a 'plan' and then there is the reality that unfolds when new information comes to light, conditions change, and the route must change as well.

We arrived outside Tikihau in the night, hove to outside the entrance, and waited for the low slack at first light. Upon arriving in Tikihau the weather forecast changed multiple times over the course of the day. In the southern hemisphere winter has just turned to spring and now this northern hemisphere sailor can say the spring weather down here is as fickle as one might expect in the spring: changing so often it’s hard to hang you hat on much beyond the immediate conditions. There are significant blows coming in and out of the forecast and still a large swell coming with mixed forecasts on how long it will affect this part of the Tuamotus. Based on these changing forecasts and the expected conditions in the passes when the swell arrives we have now determined that today, seems to be the best day in the next ten (when our friends are to arrive) to make our way from Tikihau to Rangiroa, so we are underway once more.

No matter the ocean, the weather calls the shots. So far, sailing in the South Pacific has been nothing short of a dynamic adventure demanding that we constantly keep an eye on the weather and a sharp lookout over the bow. While on lookout this morning we saw manta rays entering the Pass into Tihihau and dolphins surfing our bow as we set out into the ocean to Rangiroa...and we still could see a whale.

Sailing to Rangiroa: the second largest atoll in the world.

For cruisers looking to the South Pacific for adventure; crossing the ocean to get here is an epic adventure in and of itself. Most people set sail for the South Pacific from points west in the late winter/early spring. Presently, many cruisers are beginning to rub their palms together, eyeing up routes and weather patterns, running through their inventory of parts and spares, making lists, reading about storm tactics and high sea debacles, and/or taking care of a host or pre-departure maintenance or upgrades. Shaking down our fears can also be a big part of mentally preparing for a ocean voyage. Some, like my friend, may be wondering, "What were your scariest moments on the passage (to French Polynesia)?"

Taking a panoramic shot aboard SV WHIRLWIND out at sea while rocking and rolling. Fear can feel like this: exaggerated and out of control.

In jest, my husband and our captain said, "the day we realized we didn't bring enough rum." That was more sad really, but nothing we can't get over.

More sincerely, he said, "The day the autohelm and went a little wacky and (he) had visions of the rudder breaking loose." Terrifying! Indeed, one of our worst nightmares. That 'wackiness' was rectified at sea with no major drama. And we installed a back up autohelm before leaving Panama Bay.

In my most sincere and more lengthy response, I shared: We spent 30 days at sea: they were both utterly glorious and unexpectedly difficult at times. A huge realization for me was that the infamous Coconut Milk Run starts west of French Polynesia….or maybe in French Polynesia…or maybe to the east...it’s the Eden out there somewhere, the Fair Winds and the Following Seas of every sailors dreams. As we set out to cross the Pacific we actually thought we were on the Coconut Milk Run from Panama to the Marquesas. So when we got out there and spent far longer in confused seas than we ever imagined could be part of a 'Coconut Milk Run' we joked, desperately at times while tossing chaotically in a confusion of seas and open sky, saying “this is coconut milk!? I imagined something sweet and smooth not a frothy mess" Or, "If this is coconut milk, I’ll stick to beer (or rum)!” Crossing the ocean can easily be romanticized…in my experience it is with the adventure ahead of me or behind me that I can romanticize really well about it. When I am in it, it is usually....well...a Whirlwind of calm joy, uncertainty, chaos, thrill, or somehwere in between.

In preparation, I tried hard to be realistic, to plan for the worst and hope for the best, to be ready for the voyage and not simply long for the destination, to pack the boat full of provisions and spares, to check everything twice sometime thrice. While the dream to cross the Pacific was years in the making for us and I had years to consider the magnitude of this voyage, still he scariest moment for me was somewhere SW of the Galapagos when I realized how far offshore we were, how much further we had to go, and that there would be no real rest until we were in French Polynesia. It was nighttime and I woke out of a sleep to my husband, Mike, and our 13 year old son, Russell, reefing the main in sloppy seas and having a heck of a time. I hopped up to help and the sky was SO big and SO black, spotted more stars than I had ever seen. I could not immediately see Mike or Russell but somehow the wavetops were illuminated, so swift and heaving. I was struck with a desperate feeling knowing there was no turning back, still so far to go, and only us to make that happen. In that moment reefing the main felt goliath, possibly insurmountable, and I had to have a serious talk with myself! I had to take the task at hand for just the task at hand, not the hundreds of miles we had come or the thousands of miles to go. I had to just focus and reef the main. 'Stay calm. Stay Steady. We got this,' I reminded myself. Finally, we prevailed. For whatever reasons, reefing was more than difficult that night and with some mighty cursing and some steady determination we did it. And then we just moved right along. The boat settled nicely due to the reef, mind you the seas did not miraculously settle, but the motion certainly improved. The boys went back on watch, and I to easily slipped back into bed. For whatever reason, that was my scariest moment. Basically, when the breadth of what we had set out to do actually hit me like it never quite had before - we were in the middle of the ocean and I felt like an absolute imbecile for only then realizing what I had gotten myself and my family into?! I thought I had thought it through but in that moment I did not think I had. I felt enormously overwhelmed by how easily we could get swallowed up. I also felt that there was no turning back. (Now in hindsight I know that is not entirely true, but it was certainly how I felt and continuing west was certainly the best option.) Still, I felt I was stuck and incomprehensibly vulnerable which was truly scary. The other side of these completely humbling feelings was how absolutely beautiful the stars, the ocean, and the sky were. Steering away from the overwhelm of fear I definitely made a point to take comfort in the grandeur and holdfast. It is wild when terrifying can also be infinitely impressive. There is no doubt the ocean is mighty! The colors and the expansiveness are nothing short of awe-inspiring making the trials of the adventures worth it....especially when I am on the other side of that particular part of this adventure and can romanticize all about it.

Lagoon sailing can be exceptionally pleasant.

SY WHIRLWIND 🇺🇸 Maurisa, Mike, Russell & Josea – Alajuela 48’

WHIRLWIND

by EDITOR

MUST SEE: Tairo Atoll – French Polynesia

MUST SEE: Tairo Atoll – French Polynesia –

one of THE SEVEN TUAMOTUS IN THIS UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Taiaro Atoll in French Polynesia is a closed Atoll with no passes in or out. There are small spillways, called Huas that see water flow under extreme and rare tides.

The Tairo Atoll is part of the UNESCO Tuamotus Biosphere Reserve and was the last of the Tuamotus to be recorded and charted by European explorers. The Biosphere Reserve was established in 1977 and consists of 7 low islands of coral or atoll origin: Aratika, Fakarava, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro, and Toau. These atolls are very different from each other in size, shape, openness to the ocean, population and activities. Its character is unique: there are small closed lagoons such as those of Taiaro and Niau, the former being over-salted while the latter is brackish. And large lagoons open to the ocean such as Fakarava, which has the largest pass in French Polynesia 1,600 metres wide.

The Tairo Atoll is particularly fascinating as it is completely closed off to the ocean. While there may not be any permanent human residents there are many plants, mollusks, and fish. In 2022, a team of adventurous scientists from all over the world led by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology ventured to Taiaro to investigate this unique atoll. The interior lagoon is warmer and saltier than the surrounding ocean making it an interesting laboratory for interdisciplinary scientists studying a broad range of subjects form endemic species, to evolution, to adaptation, to climate change and more. For an accessible explanation of this mission, check out the description and video in this article:

https://www.oist.jp/news-center/news/2023/3/10/tiny-atoll-pacific-ocean-offers-glimpse-warmer-world

A diver secures a buoy to measure the temperature. (Credit: Pascal Kobeh)

According to UNESCO, "Biosphere reserves are ‘learning places for sustainable development’. They are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity. They are places that provide local solutions to global challenges. Biosphere reserves include terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each site promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. Tairo is one atoll of 7 in the Biosphere Reserve of the Toamotus. It's inclusion is a testament to the unique and phenomenal ecology of the Atoll. Scientists have found a wide range of species inside an atoll that has only seasonal exchange with the outer ocean and hope that the microcosm of Taiaro may present some insight into adaptations to climate change yet to come.

From above one can see the difference between the ocean on the outside and the calm lagoon on the inside of the atoll.

Atolls are evidence of geologic change and great mystery. Once upon a time volcanic islands erupted out of the ocean. Slowly, coral began to encircle and surround the islands. In the Tuamotus the volcanos sunk, collapsed, and/or eroded away into the ocean leaving a ring of coral surrounding lagoons. The Taiaro atoll is a ring-shaped island built up on an ancient volcano that has sunk into the ocean due to the drift of the Pacific Ocean floor. Taiaro is only visible because of the rim of coral that forms a barrier reef 5 km in diameter around the original volcano. The inside of the atoll has a sandy bottom punctuated with coral heads or 'bommies' that host marine flora and fauna. The landmass of the atoll itself is home to endemic birds mollusks, coconut palms and other plants. The biodiversity is impressive.

Nearby, the Tahanea atoll offers a very different experience from Taiaro in that one can enter the atoll and experience the inside and the outside. Perhaps Tahanea offers a glimpse of what Taiaro may be like.

Inside the Tahanea atoll there are sandy beaches and volcanic ledges.

The central Tahanea pass to the Ocean is littered with broken coral bits of all shapes and sizes battered and shaped by waves constantly.

by EDITOR

AMAZING ANIMALS: HERMIT CRABS

By Josea Descheemaeker age 11

Hermit crabs combing the beach in French Polynesia

You probably see these creatures on every beach you go to and every time you go snorkeling. Hermit crabs can live in the water and on land due to the fact that they breath through gills.

Hermit crabs names are very deceiving for several reasons:

As opposed to being hermits that prefer to always be alone, hermit crabs are vary social with other hermit crabs. Hermit crabs live and walk easily among their kind, over and under their kind, eating shell to shell in groups sometimes.
They are more shy than hermit like. They are quick to hide in their shell when as little as a shadow passes over them.
Hermit crabs are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than crabs,

The reason people put Hermit in their name is because they carry their homes

everywhere they go . Hermit crabs are vary picky about what shells they live in and they switch shells when they grow too big for the one they are living in. Sadly, now some Hermit crabs use plastic bottle caps and other Plastic things as homes.

This hermit crab is using a plastic bottle cap as a 'shell'

Many Hermit crabs love to decorate their shells. Hermit crabs can lift things 10 times their weight . Despite a hermit crab's size they Typically live up to 30 years in the wild and some live up to 60 years. There are about 500 Species of hermit crabs all over the world And with a lot of colors blues reds whites And oranges And sometimes all of those colors on one hermit crab. Some colors can be very bright.

Hermit crabs have many predators too such as big crabs, birds, and fish that keep the hermit crab population down. Hermit cards eat pretty much anything they can fined and from my experience they love coconut.

These Hermit crabs are in Mexico eating side by side until the coconut meat was completely gone.

Believe it or not hermit crabs and coconut crabs are closely related. While hermit crabs live in shells their entire life, coconut crabs only live in shells when they are young.

My Experience

Hermit crabs are very shy animals. When you get to close to them they retreat into their shells. When I put a hermit crab on my hand most will be very eager to run off and get away from me. It is a rare hermit crabs, typically the bigger ones, that will try to pinch me. Do not be deceived by their small size, they have very large claws and it hurts a lot when they pinch you. If you are hiking off the beach and when you’re still close to the beach, you can sometimes find hermit crabs clinging to the tree. If you’re taking a shell from the beach look very closely and make sure there’s not a hermit crab in it. At 1^st glance some shells look like they don’t have any hermit crabs in them but the small hermit crab sometimes get in shells way too big for them and it’s very hard to see them so look very closely. This has happened to me sometimes and I have accidentally brought a hermit crab in their shells back to the boat. If there's a shy hermit crab that you want out of the shell you can cup it in your hands and breathe onto them. This typically coaxes them out because of the warmth of your breath but there are some that are just too scared and they won't come out.

A great way to find hermit crabs is to get down close to the sand at the beach and just start looking. This is something my family and I do a lot. We definitely found hermit crabs here in Costa Rica.

SY WHIRLWIND 🇺🇸 Maurisa, Mike, Russell & Josea – Alajuela 48’

WHIRLWIND

by EDITOR

UPCOMING PREDICTWIND SEMINARS

PredictWind began sponsoring the Panama Posse in 2021. As of Season 8 PredictWind is extending their sponsorship to the entire Ocean Posse and is offering four seminars over the next 6 months.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE UPCOMING SEMINARS

The upcoming seminar dates are as follows:

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23rd, 2024 @ 15:30 US PACIFIC TIME
THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024 @ 14:30 US PACIFIC TIME
MONDAY FEB 2, 2025 @ 14:30 US PACIFIC TIME
MONDAY MARCH 17 2025 @ 14:30 US PACIFC TIME

PredictWind supports the Ocean Posse with free tracking and a 20 % Discount off our pro packages – to claim your discount please login and email support@predictwind.com asking for your Ocean Posse discount. Please include your vessel name and email address. The discount will be credited back.

by EDITOR

MUST SEE: 🇵🇫 Taputapuātea on Ra’iātea Island, French Polynesia

in 2017 UNESCO named Taputapuātea on Ra’iātea Island, French Polynesia a world heritage site for its outstanding universal value, exceptional testimony to 1,000 years of pre-colonial mā'ohi civilization, and central location in the 'Polynesian Triangle'. The 'points' on the Polynesian triangle are New Zealand, Hawaii, and Rapa Nui. Taputapuātea is in the very center of this triangle of oceanic islands. Both the cultural landscape and seascape on Ra’iātea make this a unique and remarkable place one must see. Taputapuātea is an area that goes from the mountains through forested valleys spanning across a portion of lagoon and coral reef and a strip of open ocean. In the center is the Marae of Taputapuātea.

The dark rectangular stone space is part of the Taputapuātea Marae complex: a political, ceremonial and funerary center on the edge of the lagoon surrounding the island. photo credit: P.F. Amar

The Marae of Taputapuātea is considered to be the most sacred pre-colonial Polynesian archeological sites in French Polynesia. UNESCO describes this site as:

"dedicated to the god ‘Oro and the place where the world of the living (Te Ao) intersects the world of the ancestors and gods (Te Po). It also expresses political power and relationships. The rise in the importance of Taputapuātea among the marae on Raiatea and in the wider region is linked to the line of Tamatoa ari’i (chiefs) and the expansion of their power. Taputapuātea was the centre of a political alliance that brought together two widespread regions encompassing most of Polynesia. The alliance was maintained by regular gatherings of chiefs, warriors and priests who came from the other islands to meet at Taputapuātea. The building of outrigger canoes and ocean navigation were key skills in maintaining this network.

A traditional landscape surrounds both sides of the Taputapuātea marae complex. The marae complex looks out to Te Ava Mo'a, a sacred pass in the reef that bounds the lagoon. Atāra motu is an islet in the reef and a habitat for seabirds. Ocean-going arrivals waited here before being led through the sacred pass and formally welcomed at Taputapuātea. On the landward side, ’Ōpo’a and Hotopu’u are forested valleys ringed by ridges and the sacred mountain of Tea’etapu. The upland portions of the valleys feature older marae, such as marae Vaeāra’i and marae Taumariari, agricultural terraces, archaeological traces of habitations and named features related to traditions of gods and ancestors. Vegetation in the valleys is a mix of species, some endemic to Raiatea, some common to other Polynesian islands and some imported food species brought by ancient Polynesians for cultivation. Together, the attributes of the property form an outstanding relict and associative cultural landscape and seascape."

Throughout Polynesia the Marae are communal or sacred sites in village life. In order to build a marae in another location, it is said that one must start with a stone from Taputapuātea. The marae are places with different functions. They are places where the world of the living intersected with the world of village ancestors and Polynesian gods. They are places where people gather for ceremony, dance, connecting with the past and with community.

People gather in the Taputapuatea marae for ceremony. photo credit GIE Tourisme

This video is a product of the cumulative effort of cultural and historical groups presenting the significance of Taputapuātea in the past, the present, and for the future.

https://youtu.be/wXbJXHR8-3g?t=391

People navigated to and from Taputapuatea in the past and continue today. photo credit GIE Tourisme

Fishing in the waters of Taputapuatea is a part of traditional life. photo credit: A. Wickel

Marine biodiverity in Taputapuatea photo credit: D. Hazama

Coral shelf surrounding Taputapuatea photo credit: D. Hazama

Mountains of Taputapuatea photo credit: P.F. Amar

by EDITOR

FIJIAN CULTURE AND THE SEVUSEVU PROCESS

FIJI: THE SEVUSEVU PROCESS

In traditional villages in Fiji Sevusevu is and has been the central component of all life-cycle rituals, social gatherings, healing ceremonies and community meetings. Significant and ancient in Fiji, the “sevusevu” also marks the time and place for visitors to seek acceptance into a Fijian village.

In more formal settings, Sevusevu includes a complete performance where each male from the village has a specific role to play. Traditional attire is worn with pride, collected rain water is poured from bamboo shafts, pounded kava is strained through hibiscus bark and each bilo (drinking bowl from the half-shell of a coconut) is delivered deliberately and seriously in absolute silence (aside from the sound of deep ‘Cobo’ claps in acceptance and thanks of each ‘bilo’)

Every Sevusevu is not as formal as pictured above however there is a distinct and courteous process visitors must follow. Further, understanding the significance of Sevusevu, respecting, and adhering to the tradition of this process helps to keep this aspect of Fijian Culture strong.

Longtime Ocean Posse member Chris on SV SEAGLUB has been living in Fiji for several years. He shares the following about his experience with the Sevesevu:

In Fiji, when visiting smaller settlements, a visitor must seek out the village chief and present him with a small token or gift as a sign of respect and to ask permission to visit. This not only gives visitors permission to interact with the villagers but also to stay in the town and to visit any local scenery (such as beaches, waterfalls etc). Not doing so shows disrespect for their culture, but is also the equivalent of trespassing – for example pitching a tent in someone's backyard without permission.

‘Sevusevu’ is the name given to the actual gift or token that visitors present the chief with, most commonly a half-kilo bumdle of waka (kava root). When arriving in the village, visitors should ask for the Turaga ni Koro (pronounced as too-ranga nee koro) or the village headman, as they usually have good English skills and will help with the translations. The headman will take visitors to the chief’s house for introduction. Remember no hats are to be worn once in the village and you should take your shoes off at the door before entering houses. Sitting cross legged on the floor, the kava root is then presented to the chief.

To ensure you are respectful of this important tradition, there are a few points of etiquette to follow. Firstly, everyone at the ceremony should dress in a sulu, which is a Fijian skirt regarded as their national dress. Women should also cover their shoulders. Men should sit cross-legged, ensuring that their sulu covers their knees, and women should sit with knees and feet together. Do not take photographs or videos throughout the ceremony, until the Turaga ni Koro lets you know that it’s okay to do so. Silence during the ceremony itself is crucial.

The ceremony itself is poignant. Afterwards you'll be welcomed as nothing less than family.

SV SEAGLUB 🇺🇸 Chris -Hylas 46'

by EDITOR

NAWI ISLAND POSSE PARTY WRAP UP

SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE PARTY WRAP UP

When the Posse throws a party there is rum, a pig roast, people come and have fun...

It's that simple and it happens every time.

Last weekend the Ocean Posse and Posse sponsor Nawi Island Marina hosted a party at Nawi Island Marina in Savusavu, Fiji. The South Pacific Islands are distinctly different and yet there are many similarities among the peoples ways of celebrating. One such similarity is that celebratory feasting often involves the roasting (wither on a spit or more traditionally wrapped in banana leaves underground in a earthen pit) an entire animal....often a pig. In Fiji, a traditional pig feast is called 'Lovo' (which refers to the earthen oven) and is often the meal that brings large groups of people together for celebrating births, funerals, marriages, welcoming or bidding farewell to visitors, and holidays such as Easter or Christmas. Traditionally, women prepare the meat, men tend the earthen oven or fire, children play, and people are welcome to spend the time visiting and playing while the meal slowly cooks. This method of gathering, cooking slowly, and feasting has been passed down from generation to generation as a living legacy of bonding the importance of relationships within a community. Often other foods like seafoods, other meats, or vegetables are also cooked either in or near the earthen oven similarly wrapped in banana leaves to steam cook slowly. The flavors become distinctly rich and flavorful. When everything is unearthed or done cooking over coals, foods that were wrapped are unwrapped and are traditionally placed on banana leaves and presented buffet style accompanied by fresh squeezed coconut cream and other sauces.

SV WHIMSICAL IV shared their photos from the event:

Roast pig presented on banana leaves for the Feast.

Posse Members at the South Pacific Party in Nawi Island last week

SV WHIMSICAL IV Randy & Joanne - Catalina 470

The feast was wonderful. There were about 80 people in attendance that enjoyed a night of good food, drinks, meeting new friends and deepening relationships.

by EDITOR

LOGISTICAL PREPARATIONS

LOGISTICAL PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING HOME WATERS AND ENTERING NEW COUNTRIES

Certain Papers are required for entering and exiting new countries. Be Prepared.

Leaving ones home waters and entering a new country is certainly a big change and there are many essential details not to forget. Checklists are handy tools for preparing for Entry and Exit Requirements. Beyond the obvious boat essentials like checking your systems, having safety equipment onboard, topping your fluids, and changing your zincs, please see the checklist below for details not to be forgotten when setting out on a long distance voyage with the Ocean Posse.

If an EPIRB is onboard a US flagged vessel, register it with the NOAA. Before leaving confirm that all information is current. This includes vessel name, your primary phone number, emergency contact name/s and address/es: https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/RGDB/registrationRequirements
A Ship Stations License is required by the FCC for travelling in international territories: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/maritime-mobile/ship-radio-stations/ship-radio-stations
Make sure the MMSI number of your vessel is registered in your name: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/maritime-mobile/ship-radio-stations/maritime-mobile
Have your boat documentation or registration up to date and in order. NOTE: most countries (and the Panama Canal Authorities) are requiring international navigation documentation indicating nationality and ownership over state registration. Check with your destination country.
If the boat is documented or registered in the name of someone not present or the name of a business or organization: a letter notarized by the documented vessel owner authorizing the captain and crew to be operating the vessel is required to enter other countries (and transit the Panama Canal). It is imperative to have both the original and copies of all notarized documents.
Depending on the country you enter you will buy a Temporary Import Permit which allows the vessel to enter the country. This is an important document to keep with the vessel the entire time in the country of entry. This document is also required upon exiting many countries.
Current passport for everyone onboard ideally good for the duration of your stay abroad.
Many countries require a Crew List upon entry which states everyone onboard, their Date of Birth, their rank on the vessel and their passport number.
If navigating into Mexico, Mexican Liability Insurance is required to Navigate in Mexican waters.
If navigating in Mexico, the captain is required to show a boaters education card, ASA certification, or a captains license upon exiting the country.
Outside of the United States, when exiting one country and entering another you will need an authorized document of exit (called a zarpe throughout Central America) from one country in order to enter the next country.
Wherever you go along the route, be prepared for entry and exit requirements and seasonal changes.

It is not entirely uncommon for requirements to vary port to port. The best practice is to be prepared with everything and not be asked for them than to be asked for something you do not have.

by EDITOR