Battling the Elements (Update 17)
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Update from Colin Philp
Onboard Uto Ni Yalo

Bula Viti kei Rotuma

Since my last report the weather has changed substantially and last night and this morning was a battle against the elements.

Yesterday Carson, Steven, Kai'afa and I were able to re-set the main and mizzen outhaul tension on the first reef and set up the canoe to steer itself. This means we were able to lift the Uli (steering paddle) out of the water and just steer by adjusting the main and mizzen sheet tension.

We were able to do this from 1400 hours until after dark at 1930 hours so five and a half hours of not having to steer. The wind was still around 25 knots but we knew it would freshen even more judging by the forecasts. All those on watch during this time were very happy as they could relax and rest for the heavy night ahead.

By the time we went back to manual steering the wind was up around 30 - 35 knots and still freshening. So it was back to two on the Uli taking 20 - 30 minute turns at steering.

During the 3am - 6am shift, Salome, Sonny, Kai'afa and Kelekele were all on the steering oar for the entire 3 hours just trying to control the paddle which was jumping around violently in the increasing bumpy sea. By this stage the wind was a constant 40 knots and gusting up to 45.

Steven, Carson, Unaisi and Watch Captain Vilisoni came on watch at 6am and the wind had swung more to the South. This let us turn more to a South Easterly direction which would us allow us to get closer to the Latitude of the 3 other Vaka.

We were screaming along on this watch and the GPS showed a top speed of 19.4 knots. At the end of the shift we had done 39 nautical miles in 3 hours - an average of 13knots!

At 7.45am we sighted Te Matau a Maui and the support vessel Foftein off our starboard bow. An hour later we were crossing their sterns heading South East while Te Matau and Foftein headed in a more easterly direction.

Te Matau had a double reef in their mainsail and mizzen plus the storm staysail up in place of their staysail. On the radio we found out they had trouble with solar panels coming loose. Hine Moana was a few miles astern of them and was leaking badly in both bow compartments similar to us.

We carried on, hoping to get more to the south and catch Marumaru Atua. We still had our staysail up and only one reef in the main and mizzen sails.

The Uto was taking a pounding and we soon saw signs of fatigue. Four floor boards on the bow deck were lifted right off the kiato's (beams between the hulls). There are eight 100mm stainless steel screws holding these hardwood planks down so you can imagine the upwards force required to lift them clean off the kiato's.

Whilst we were able to rescue the floor boards, the nicely carved wood rail on the front of the floor boards vanished over the side. I wonder which beach this will eventually float up on.

On the radio I talked to the other vaka's and they were all reducing sail further as their canoes were taking the toll of the extreme conditions. Marumaru Atua had lost part of the safetly net at the bow so they did not want to risk sending crew forward to drop their staysail in place of a storm staysail so they dropped the mainsail instead.

I sent someone to call Johnathan who had just retired to sleep. I suggested to the skipper that we go to the second reef on both the main and mizzen to try and make the vaka a little more comfortable.

It took every ounce of energy from the crew on deck to get the sails reefed. During the process a large wave hit the bow of the canoe. Carson, Steven, Paul and I were on the mainmast. The wave hit us from behind and I was thrown against the mast and boom. Carson was ducking at the same time and I slammed into his head which was now between me and the boom.

When I looked down there was blood streaming from his left eye. He had a split in his brow and I urged him to go and get it attended to but he shrugged it off and carried on working. I am not sure if it was the adrenaline or the Mai TV camera recording everything that urged him on.

At the 12noon position check Marumaru Atua was 4 miles ahead of us and slightly to the North. Te Matau and Hine Moana were limping along some 10 miles behind us. By 3pm we were alongside Marumaru Atua and passed them to windward (South). We will carry on until the 6pm position check before deciding what to do.

The wind is forecast to drop during the night so we want to get as far East as possible and use every bit of the strong Southerlies we can.

Our position at 1600 hours is 35* 18' South/157* 32' West. We are heading 090 True due East and trying to maintain our current latitude. The forecast shows we may get some Easterlies in a few days so every mile we can cross now will make the journey easier when we hit the headwind.

There is hardly a dry spot on the canoe now. The deck house is soaked with water leaking through the hatch track. Below deck there is constantly 50 - 100mm of water on the floor which requires constant maintenance. The main concern for the crew is trying to stay warm and get enough sleep between watches.

Sleeping is difficult because of the cold, being wet and the noise of the hull pounding into the waves. What I wouldn't give for a warm dry bed and 6 hours sleep!

Lets hope the wind drops a little tonight so we can all get some sleep.

Before I go I wanted to share Rupeni's lunch recipe from yesterday which once again was delicious.

UTO NI YALO FUSILLO BEEF BOLOGNESE

Ingredients:
Pacific Corned Beef
Onion, Garlic, Mixed Herbs
Tomato Puree
Kidney Beans
Salt and Pepper
Cheese
Fusillo Pasta

Instructions:
Sauté the onion and garlic. Add corned beef, tomato puree and kidney beans.
Add salt and pepper plus mixed herbs for seasoning
Serve with cheese grated on top.
Cook the fusilli pasta in a large pan of boiling water until al dente.


Experiences from the crew.
Today's featured crew member: Vilisoni Yalikanacea
This is the first time for me to sail for thousands of miles at sea.
So far it has been a good experience and I learnt plenty things about sailing, respect the mother nature, especially on board the canoe: Uto Ni Yalo
I have also learnt the importance of discipline and hierachy when at sea. It is crucial to keeping everyone safe and ultimately, alive.
I wish to thank our skipper Jonathan Smith and Colin Philip for teaching me a lot of the survival techniques out at sea like: Reefing the sails, Tacking and Jybing, Steering using wind and waves, Logging on every watch, Plotting of position, Tying of knots etc
I will remember this voyage my whole life - And whenever I look at my missing finger - I will have a permanent reminder!
A big vinaka vakalevu to the fibreglass shop management and staff for allowing me to be part of the crew of Uto Ni Yalo
And a big vinaka vakalevu to the almighty god for his guidance, and also to our major sponsors, NGO’s, family, friends, relatives, communities, die-hard fans and everyone all over Fiji and abroad for your prayers, support and emails. Malo Vakalevu and God bless.


About Vilisoni
Born at: Levuka, Ovalau   
Parents from: Mother- Lovoni, Ono-i-lau
Father- Nukuni, Ono-i-lau
Education: Levuka Public School, Ratu Kadavulevu School, Maritime Studies
Work Experience: 1 year Nexberg Ltd, 3 years- Safeway Marine Ltd, 2 years Ocean Bilibili Ltd, 4 years - The Fibreglass Shop
Sailing Experience: Sailing with the Philp brothers on yacht TAU from Suva, Mago via Nabavatu.