Thor
Heyerdahl came ashore in Raroia French Polynesia. He’d sailed all the
way across the Pacific, setting out from Peru by himself on a 4,300-mile
journey — in a homemade raft made only with balsa logs and hemp rope.
Heyerdahl’s intent was to prove that pre-Columbian South Americans could
have made this same journey using their own primitive seafaring
technology several centuries before, allowing them to spread their
culture to the remote islands of the Pacific. After 101 days alone at
sea, Heyerdahl completed his so-called Kon-Tiki expedition, leaving the
world in awe.
The
land entrance to the Bora Bora Yacht club which offers food pool
moorings and dinghy docks and an eclectic crowd of sailors visitors and
honeymoon couples .
The
original Yacht Club was built by Americans in 1974. It’s safe position,
in a little bay, was carefully selected because it is sheltered from
winds, has no underwater hazards, and is close to the only pass into the
lagoon.
WWI CANNONS @ BORA BORA was an key refueling base for American Navy convoys on their way to the South Pacific. Eight
7 inch cannons in total were installed, with seven still remaining,
around strategic coastal areas. Their locations are the hills above
Matira Point to the south of the island, Fitiiu Point to the east and at
Farepiti and Tereia Points to the north of the main settlement of
Vaitape.
BOBCAT was the secret code that the Americans had given in 1942 to the project of a military base in Bora Bora.
(1)
Motu Mute airfield (2) Motu Mute dock (3) Tupua seaplane base (4) Point
Tuahora battery (3 o’clock) (5) Point Matira battery (6 o’clock) (6)
Povai Bay anchorage area (7) Seven-inch barrel from Point Tereia and
mooring anchors from Povai Bay (8) Povai Valley ammo bunkers (9) Vaitape
town, dock, and church (10) Teavanui Pass (entrance to lagoon) (11)
Point Pahua battery (9 o’clock) (12) Cargo Landing No. 3 (13) Water dams
and ammo bunkers at Faanui Valley (14) Large ammo bunker (15) Refueling
dock (16) Oil storage tank (17) Point Tereia battery @ 11 o’clock (18)
Faanui Bay anchorage area and cruiser moorings (19) Faanui town
Amongst
other reasons, the island of Bora Bora was chosen because of its
enormous interior lagoon which could only be entered through a single
pass that could be easily controlled, especially when considering the
threat of submarines.
SY TARTARUGA 🇺🇸 Scott & Tami , Custom 46′ Cat
5) ENTRY INTO BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT
SY COMO 🇨🇭 Mark Beneteau Oceanis 55′
6) CROSSING THE LINE 🧭 SLIMY POLLYWOGS NO MORE
The
line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a
person’s first crossing of the Equator. The tradition may have
originated with ceremonies when passing headlands, and become a “folly”
sanctioned as a boost to morale, or have been created as a test
for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of
handling long, rough voyages. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically
featuring King Neptune, are common in the Navy and are also
carried out by the Pacific Posse.
By
the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing
rituals in the British Royal Navy. On the voyage of HMS Endeavour to the
Pacific in 1768, captained by James Cook, Joseph Banks described how
the crew drew up a list of everyone on board, including cats and dogs,
and interrogated them as to whether they had crossed the equator. If
they had not, they must choose to give up their allowance of wine for
four days, or undergo a ducking ceremony in which they were ducked three
times into the ocean.
CONGRATULATIONS WHIRLWIND
Sailors
who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty
Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. Those who have not
crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes
simply Slimy Wogs.
SY WHIRLWIND 🇺🇸 Maurisa & Mike & crew – Alajuela 48′
7) MEET THE FLEET
⛵
ZIGANKA III
⛵️Sailing around the world since 2022. Always on the hunt for the next
kite- and climbing spot, while enjoying that perfect sail. Our pacific
route will hopefully be: Panama City to Galapagos to French Polynesia,
New Zealand. But you never know, what detours we‘ll take on our journey.
Las season’s winner of the Picture of the Year Award
12) FLOATING THE ANCHOR CHAIN
🫚
WHEN ANCHORING IN CORAL
PROTECT VIBRANT CORAL
Where
and why we float the chain: At anchorages with (lots of) coral heads to
avoid the chain tangling on those coral heads. If the chain would
tangle on the coral heads it would have a couple of adverse effects: the
catenary effect of the chain is reduced (or even eliminated if tangled
very close to the bow of the yacht), lifting the anchor might be
difficult or even impossible without diving, the galvanization of the
anchor chain chafes off faster, more coral gets destroyed. The adverse
effect of floating the chain is obviously to loose the friction of the
part of the chain which is floating. The way we position / deploy the
buoys we end up with some 10m chain on the seabed. There is obviously a
residual risk of even that chain tangling, but less likely given of the
length of the chain thereafter and rather stable wind direction of the
trade winds.
When
we arrived in the Tuamotus we started off with fenders as we did not
carry anything else. The disadvantage of fenders is that they compress
if they submerse, one gets growth on them, etc. Those hard plastique
pearl farm buoys are much better. Some people say, they are washed
ashore everywhere in the Tuamotus as part of the operations of the local
pearl farm operations
Kauehi
was our first atoll and in any reasonable distance from the village the
shore line was cleaned by the locals. Nevertheless, many villagers have
their stash of pearl farm buoys in their gardens. So we simply walked
to one obviously very friendly fellow and asked whether we could have
four of them. He actually picked the four nicest he had, of the same
color, including lines attached to them and did not even want to have
anything in return. We put on clips/little carabines to the ends of the
lines for fast attachment / detachment to/from the anchor chain and were
ready to go.
What
kind of clips we use: We use little stainless steel carabiners, the
size is basically driven by the diameter to fit through a chain link,
i.e. it needs to be sufficiently thin (we have a 10mm DIN chain, so
carabiners end up being like 4-5cm in length), we use different sorts,
i.e. whatever we found in our related spare part bag.
Where
we position the buoys: Our approach is to put the first buoy typically /
normal conditions at 10m plus water depth from the anchor, then a buoy
every 5m of chain, after the fourth we let out another 7-8m of chain and
then hook the bridle. There are other recommendations which take a
multiplier to water depth (like 1.5x or 2x water depth), but we just
find that not suitable to accommodate for all ranges of water depths.
The 10m basically decides how much chain ends up on the seabed, one
could do less if the sandy patch is really small or more if there is a
larger sandy patch to anchor (in case one sees that at all).
With
this approach we end up with a few meters more chain out than based on
our non-floating chain length rule under normal conditions (we apply
waterdepth plus 30m) – in bad conditions we obviously deploy more in
both cases (non-floating and floating).
How
we deploy the buoys: First we explore to find the spot we want to
anchor as usual. If possible we would look for a sandy patch for the
anchor itself, but despite the clear water, when anchoring in deeper
water we are not able to see for good and/or be able to drop the anchor
that accurately. We put out as much chain as we feel comfortable to
“drive in” the anchor. Then we pull up the chain again to the first spot
for the first buoy (the 10m + water depth), then put out 5m chain,
attach a buoy, etc. (lifting the anchor is as usual, just stopping at
every buoy and unclipping it, it does not really delay the process once
one gets the hang of it).
How
we clip on the clips: For us it is exactly the same as putting the
chain hook / bridle on. So in our case we have to bend over the pull pit
and downward to clip them on, but as said, that’s the same as we do
with the bridle as well and “normal procedure” for us. If we had a
set-up where the chain hook would come through the bow roller, the clips
could go through as well as they are way smaller than our chain hook
and in our case it would be easy to get a clip and line from the front
through the bowroller back on deck. Difficulties I could only see
arising if it was – due to bow design / set-up – tricky to get to the
chain outside of the bow or the clip from the front through the
bowroller back on deck or into the chain locker, but that’s set-up
specific, hard to comment in general (in the worst case I would deploy
by dinghy).
General
experience: In general, the boat swings easier than with a non-floating
chain, due to the missing friction of the chain length towards the
yacht. In places where the wind is dominant anyways and is stable trade
wind from the same sector all the time, that’s no issue at all. In
places, where swinging is dominated rather by current or tide, one
obviously has to check for the space.
In
our case only the buoy closest to the yacht is floating on water level
in a low wind situation, the others are submersed. We actually measured
in one instance the depths of the clips on the anchor chain on an
anchorage where the anchor was at 11.5m depths: the clips of the buoys
were at 7m, 4m, 2m and 0m water depth respectively (starting from the
anchor) at low wind.
According to recent archaeological evidence, the Society Islands were settled from Samoa and Tonga around 200 AD.
Nine
tribal principalities emerged in the enclosed valleys, which in turn
were subdivided into individual clans. The stratified society was
characterized by a hierarchical leadership whose elite combined both
political and religious power. The leading families of Mo’orea remained
linked by marriage and kinship for centuries with those of the
neighboring island of Tahiti. These connections led to important
alliances, but at other times were also the source of bloody
conflicts.
The
marae, a stone platform, was where the gods communicated with the
Polynesians and political, social and religious decisions were made. The
marae was tapu—sacrosanct. To violate it was to call down the gods’ wrath.
On
Mo‘orea the largest collection of maraes is in the Opunohu
Valley. More than 550 structures have been uncovered, including more
than 100 maraes
One
of the most visited sites in Moorea is the marae of ‘Opunohu. It is a
collection of almost 500 different structures: marae, dwellings,
agricultural terraces and archery platforms. You can discover the
different sites on the ‘trail of the ancestors’, which takes you through
the forest from site to site.
This
ethnological and archeological trail provides a fascinating insight
into the lives of the people who once lived in the valley, and the
environment in which they lived.
Hiking Mo’ore’a 🇵🇫 French Polynesia
14) LOOKING FOR SPONSORS HOW TO SUPPORT THE 🗿SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE
THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE IS SEEKING SPONSORS – MARINAS & SERVICE PROVIDERS To become a sponsors email dietmar@pacificposse.com
OCEAN POSSE MISSION
Make traveling for yacht owners easier, transparent and better informed
Generate group buying power with discounts in marinas and with service providers
Pass on relevant information to help fellow participants in a timely manner without personal opinions
Identify, document and reduce risks
Allow for flexibility and reduce pressures due to schedules
MEET THE GROWING LIST OF PACIFIC POSSE SPONSORS
CLOUD 9
COPRA SHED MARINA FIJI
DENARAU MARINA FIJI
GULF HARBOUR MARINA NEW ZEALAND
MARSDEN COVE MARINA NEW ZEALAND
MUSKET COVE MARINA
NAWI ISLAND MARINA
OCEAN TACTICS | PACIFIC WEATHER ROUTING
PANAMA CANAL AGENT ERICK GALVEZ CENTENARIO CONSULTING
PREDICT WIND
PUERTO AMISTAD ECUADOR
RIVERGATE MARINA AUSTRALIA
SAIL TAHITI
SAU BAY FIJI
SHELTER BAY MARINA PANAMA
VUDA POINT MARINA
YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS
YACHT AGENTS NUKU HIVA
YACHTING WORLD MARINA PORT VILA VANUATU
15) SPOTLIGHT SAU BAY FIJI
SAU BAY RESORT & SPA – MOORINGS AND DIVE CENTER 🇫🇯 SPONSORS THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE
SERVICES
Moorings $10 x day $ 50 weekly
Moorings up to 32’ (12,000 lbs)
Depth: 40-90 feet
21+ AMAZING DIVE SITES – INCLUDING THE COVETED “GREAT WHITE WALL”
HOUSE REEF FOR SNORKELING AND DIVING
ORGANIZED DAY TRIPS (TAVEUNI ISLAND, VILLAGE TOURS, MANTA RAY SNORKEL)
DIVE INSTRUCTION AND CERTIFCATION (PADI FACILITY) WITH HIGH QUALITY GEAR
HIGH END RESTAURANT
WATERFRONT PRIVATE DINING VALE
CULTURAL DINNER EXPERIENCE (LOVO, MEKE AND KAVA CEREMONY)
FULL BAR
SHOWERS
DELUXE WATERFRONT BURES WITH INDOOR/OUTDOOR SHOWERS
FULL SERVICE OVERWATER SPA
100 ACRES OF RAINFOREST TO EXPLORE
CONTACT AND LEAR OR IMPROVE YOUR DIVING
Leo Rebele
Sau Bay Resort & Spa
Box 62, Waiyevo Fiji Islands
Tel: / Whatsapp +1 (562) 761-9191
Resort Tel +679 603-1003
info@divesaubay.com
www.divesaubay.com
16) FREE FLEET TRACKING ’24 🛰️
WITH PREDICT WIND
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.
22° 28.6466′ S 166° 28’07833 “E Amédée Lighthouse 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
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 includes local free moorings
⚓ Good Anchorage & Mooring Balls @ 22° 28.55 S 166° 27.93 E Ilot Amadee 🇳🇨 NEW CALEDONIA
20) MEET OUR SPONSORS
John
Martin principal of Ocean Tactics has been assisting skippers with
weather and passage planning in the Pacific for many years is now
an official sponsor of the Pacific Posse.
PREDICT WIND
PANAMA CANAL AGENT ERICK GALVEZ CENTENARIO CONSULTING
Burgees
are available in French Polynesia starting in Nuku Hiva –
for additional location please arrange and pay for a 8 oz envelope to be
shipped to your preferred intl. location
VUDA POINT MARINA 🇫🇯 FIJI SPONSORS THE SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE
Stay 7 days, Pay for 6
$100 discount for haul outs PLUS 2 days on the hardstand
One night free with any inward or outward clearance from the country
WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW
YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
ocean posse llc @ 9811 w charleston blvd 2262 summerlin lv nv 89117 USA
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