Rick Donaldson

Disappointingly little wind meant a motor across to Mamanuca. Uneventful journey under grey skies during which we used the engine’s electrical energy to us the marcher jet wash to clean the decks en-route.

Required to anchor outside Vuda Marina in order for a non-approved engineer to visit to repair the fridge compressor, we decided to move on to Denerau. Started an hour later than hoped, partly delayed by an electrical cable caught over the anchor on weighing. Once cleared through good seamanship, we dashed the 5 miles to Denerau but too late to enter the marina. Anchoring outside we elected not to go ashore by tender on arrival. Wind was SE force 3-4 with no significant wave height owing to short offshore fetch.

After deciding that $60 FJD was an over investment in the Royal Suva Yacht Club, despite the very friendly staff, we chose to move on from the capital city and return to Vuda Marina to effect repairs on the fridge and the generator. A spirited sail in Force 6 gusting 7 winds from the port quarter, we took in one reef on each of the main and the foresail. When the wind backed to directly astern, we furled the Genoa and ran with the two booms goose-winged, held by preventers in the inconsistent wind. An overnight passage brought us to anchor off Vuda Marina at about 04:00 but with low tide being at 08:00 when the Marina opened, we will have to remain at anchor until high water at 14:00 to make our entrance.

An exciting exit through the reef with Dave as lookout on the bow saying, “I’m not happy, I’m not happy!”, keeping us safe from rocks/ bommies. We then cautiously navigated along the reef in the middle of SomoSomo strait and finding no suitable anchorage, enjoyed a drift dive, with Happy Spirit drifting with Rick remaining onboard to look after her. The rest of the crew enjoyed an hour’s snorkelling on colourful and varied corals with plenty of fish and other sea life to view. After the dive we proceeded on around the Northern tip of Taveuni before anchoring at Qamea Island, opposite Taveuni.

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.