Uli and Life On The Seas (Update 15)
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Update from Colin Philp
Onboard Uto Ni Yalo

We have started moving a little further North and can already feel a little more warmth (19 degrees Celsius) but this could also be attributed to the North West winds we are experiencing. We are fast approaching the 160 degree West longitude which is where we will make a port (left) turn and head North East towards Raivavae.

There is a High Pressure West of us towards New Zealand which will move directly South of us by tomorrow. By that time, a low pressure forming North of Samoa will move down to around Latitude 24 and this will bring very strong East to South East winds where we are.

If we are far enough East (past 160 degrees West) then we should be okay although it will not be pleasant with a 40 knot tail wind and we will be forced to tack downwind which I guess is better than having to tack into a head wind.

So far this voyage has been, "a picnic" according to Steven or Shrek as he is nicknamed on board. Shrek is our resident left overs cleaner and eats everything that is left by the crew. Ironically is still losing weight. Voyaging is definitely good for the waistline.

Tonight as I write this report, the wind has been light 6 - 8 knots but we are still averaging 20 nautical miles per shift, or over 6 miles/hour which is not bad.

We can see the lights of Te Matau a Maui and Hine Moana a little behind and south of us. When I woke at 0100 hours, they were both ahead of us on the starboard bow. We have been sailing a little higher into the wind trying to maintain our speed in the light conditions. Marumaru Atua is directly astern and approximately 4 - 5 nautical miles behind.

Yesterday we were visited by a tiny little black bird (definitely not a seabird). The bird was clearly very tired and wanted to shelter from the wind so it landed on the Mainsail Sheet (Rope) and was swaying around so we moved it into the shade from the wind. It rested there because it was too weak to fly and then it spent the night in the Deckhouse inside Stevens beanie. We tried to feed it water but was still too weak.
In the morning we were all saddened to learn that bird whom Sunny had named Luisa, had died during the night.

Sonny conducted a sea burial for the bird and it was very touching to lose our new friend so soon.

Unfortunately, we lost a tuna this morning as we were moving too fast at 10 - 12 knots. Probably just as we'll, as we need a break from eating fish. We may get a couple of Albacore at sunset which will go down nicely for breakfast tomorrow. It seems that Albacore are the only fish we can catch at this latitude.

Steven, Carson and Vilisoni pumped out the port and starboard bow compartments and removed approximately 40 litres of water. We will need to get back in there tomorrow with the sikaflex and try to fill any more gaps we can find as the leaking will be more severe when the weather gets rough.

The canoes are a pleasure to Uli (steer) in these light conditions and Unaisi has been hogging the Uli (steering paddle)on my watch. We have been virtually steering to the tell tales (small ribbon taped to the shrouds to show the wind direction). As the canoe speed drops, we come up into the wind to gain more speed. As the wind freshens or the canoe speeds up we go down away from the wind.

Most of the crew have now learnt this technique but it will take a lot of practice to master it. As they say, practice makes perfect.

Yesterday we overheard on the radio, Marc the French Captain of the Hine Moana telling the story about an incident the night before. Someone had dropped a light overboard and he happened to come on deck to see the light bobbing out the stern and he panicked thinking it was a 'man-overboard'. So they had to do a crew count to make sure no one had fallen over. He was very relieved to find everyone was still on board.

With these calm conditions all the crew was able to once again read all the support messages from the website www.fijivoyaging.com. We have all been so touched by all the support, we have started writing personalised responses. We may even publish them online or in the Fiji Times soon.

Message from crew member Kaiafa Ledua:
I am really honoured and it’s a privilege for me to be appointed watch captain for this leg of the journey, which is also the longest leg. It came as a surprise with its responsibilities. But it will be an experience that i will never forget.

I now have a lot of respect for the ocean compared to what i have been doing before while working as a long line fisherman.

It is amazing to work with the elements such as wind, waves, current and especially the stars. It is really true that the more you go out to the sea, the more respect you will have for it.

Malo to all back home and to our sponsors “VINAKA VAKALEVU” for supporting this great cause.

About Kaiafa Ledua:
Born at: Nayau Island, Lau
Education: Fiji Institute of Technology
Parents: Mother- Luse Tareguci, from Narocivo, Nayau, Lau
Father- Akuila Vakatalai, from Naikeleyaga, Kabara, Lau
Wife: Anaseini Bakaniceva
Naikeleyaga, from Kabara, Lau
Children: Talei Helen Ledua
                Stephen Hill Ledua
Work Experience:- Ministry of Youth and Sports (Clerical Officer)
-Golden Ocean & Winful Fishing Company (Deckhand Crew)