Report #4 - 2012 - The Ladies of the Uto ni Yalo
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 Report #4/2012

By Robert Tuxson on board Uto ni Yalo

 

The Uto ni Yalo - our canoe people of Viti................from Ensenada, Mexico

 

Date: Saturday, January 28th Local Time (Sunday, Jan 29th Fiji Time)

Time: 0600 hrs LT (0200 hrs FT)

Latitude: 36 degrees 36.2' North / Longitude: 117 degrees 07.5' West

Course: 185 T

Average Speed: 3.3 Kts

Wind: Westerlies x 5 kts

 

The Ladies of the Uto ni Yalo

 

There are those people involved in Fiji sport who have said netball is played by ladies, but basketball is played by women! Certainly a topic for a lengthy talanoa around the tanoa.

 

So where does that put the female crew of the Uto ni Yalo? We'll let you decide after reading our latest update from our first port of call after departing San Diego on the evening of the 24th of January. An overnight sail saw us mae good time enjoying the onshore lights of San Diego and later Tiujuana, Mexico.

 

The crew of 16 is divided into three Watch Crews headed by a Watch Captain. The three members who are exempt are Captain Johnathan Smith and Setareki Ledua of Fulaga our navigator [they both devote longer waking hours to oversee the running of the vessel] and Ben Sorby our cook [he's adept enough at cooking during the rolling and rocking at sea to be called a chef!]

 

Each watch consists of at least one of the women on board divided into teams of [Filomena Serenia of Naivicula, Naloto,Tailevu with Salome Tabuatalei of Macuata and noted sportsperson] [Iva Nancy Vunikura of Vione, Gau, Lomaiviti with Kimberly Bennett born in Suva and now living in Hawaii whose mom hails from Rotuma where Kim leaned to speak fluent Rotuman] [experienced sailor Lee-Anne Lee of Suva is on watch with three men and does more than hold her own in any maritime environment]. These intrepid five are expected to take part in any of the many jobs, chores and tasks that arise on board. They raise and lower sails; tie appropriate marine knots; swab the deck, assist with cooking as do the men; and in general provide the type of stability that only women seem to be able to do!

 

Three of the five are experienced Uto ni Yalo crew having sailed her through at least one other leg of her incredible journey. [Did you ever stop and think of why when referring to a boat we say she or her instead of him/his? I'll let you make the connection!}

 

Iva, Salome and Lee-Anne are not only experienced at sea, they provide leadership by example reminding us that muscle is not always the answer to solving problems. Kim called Kimbo, when she's representing Fiji in surfing, has sailing experience in Hawaiii and has fit right in with her willingness to be a part of a tight knit team.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is Filo a graduate of Auckland University with a degree in Environmental Studies and a committed newcomer to the sea and sailing. Prior to setting foot on board Filo was a volunteer Administrative Assistant to Fiji Voyaging Society President Colin Philp as they prepared the crew for this journey. Her invaluable assistance paved the way for an easy transition for the voyage. Filo will help with the marine science projects and is getting her "sea legs" the hard way! She lost her lunch to Davey Jones and took the first 24 hours at sea to acclimate to the motion of the Uto ni Yalo as she glides over swells and waves. Aside from that initial adjustment all crew are doing fine with several doing better at sea than they did on tera firma!

 

From the oldest to the youngest each has already contributed significantly. from Salome our "bubu" and keeper of the clean, to Lee-Anne the vessel's chief organiser of stores and sundries, to Kiim the always smiling quick to the sails when "skipper" barks a command, to Iva the strong and Filo the youngest are they ladies, women, females???????

 

 

The journey continues…..