Clive Carrington-Wood, Jenny Yeates & 3 others
16 April 2025 at 09:05
An interesting day! Setting off in flat calm conditions, motoring through beautiful scenery, until CRUNCH! 34m on the echo sounder, nothing on the chart but a clear warning of uncharted pinnacles. Well guess what? Yes, we found one of the uncharted pinnacles and stopped dead from 6½ Kts. Sternboard away from the hazard. Once clear stop engines and check for damage. Two crew members injured. Chris Kinsman at the wheel, flung forward and cracked his nose on the plotter causing considerable blood loss. He also bent his thumb back on the wheel causing further pain. Libby Norris, facing aft in the companionway, was flung backwards onto the deck in the saloon, banging her head and injuring her neck. A quick dive revealed damage to the forefoot of the keel, ripping back the GRP casing to reveal the iron core. Ensuing phone calls identified hauling out facilities at Nawi Marina, SavuSavu, which was out following destination anyway. Not wishing to negotiate reefs and arrive in the dark, we continued the intended passage to Makongai to anchor overnight before proceeding on. No telephone or internet connectivity at the anchorage so nothing further achieved that day. Injured parties tended to as best as possible and early supper / early to bed offered rest needed by all.
3
48.8
NM
8h 30m
Motunibubu Reef to Dalice Settlement, Fiji
Clive Carrington-Wood, Libby Norris & 3 others
Thursday at 07:48
2
46.2
NM
6h 46m
Dalice Settlement to Savusavu, Fiji
Clive Carrington-Wood, Christopher Kinsman & 3 others
15 April 2025 at 08:27
6
59.2
NM
8h 12m
Matacawa Levu to Motunibubu Reef, Fiji
Clive Carrington-Wood, Libby Norris & 3 others
12 April 2025 at 11:50
1
19
NM
2h 55m
Cuvu Bay to Matacawa Levu, Fiji
Clive Carrington-Wood, Christopher Kinsman & 3 others
10 April 2025 at 10:23
A frustrating motor/sail into wind for half the passage, the wind not veering as forecast. Nevertheless, the second half was a pleasant starboard tack beat in a Force 4 with an average speed over 7 kts. The main engine fan belt started slipping early in the passage so the motor sail was done at under 1000 rpm but achieved about 5.5 kts. Several reefs to negotiate, only a coupe of which were visible with breaking waves. Intended anchorage was open to an unexpected swell from the west, so we moved slightly south through the passage between islands and had a comfortable night of Mantaray Resort.
6
40.7
NM
10h 27m
Lomani Island Resort to Natuvalo Point, Fiji
Rain on and off most days. Winds ranged from 4 to 19 kts. We sailed to several islands and reefs, anchored out for snorkeling and surf. Very relaxing time on the water. Sailing was relaxed as well.
10
1952.1
NM
30 days 2 hours
Uturaerae, French Polynesia to Vatunibalagi Island, Fiji
Explore Voyages in Similar Countries:
New Caledonia 🇳🇨
Photo: @leo_lacrose on Unsplash
Vanuatu 🇻🇺
Photo: @seijiseiji on Unsplash
Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬
Photo: @assomyron on Unsplash