The Journey Continues (Update 11)
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From Colin Philp
Onboard the Uto Ni Yalo


We are currently at 36deg 56'n South, 179deg 45' East or 1850 n.m. from
Ravavae, Australes. On Monday we had varying winds from the West 15 - 20
knots, then South Westerly winds which picked up to around 30 knots
overnight.

The first few days we are finding it difficult to stay together as a fleet.
On Monday morning, we found ourselves all relatively close together. However
this morning we are quite spread out.

Marumaru Atua the Cook Islands Vaka which is also the lead Vaka, fell some
20n.m. behind last night so we are drifting alongside Te Matau a Maui (NZ
Vaka) while we wait for them to catch up.

Hine Moana (Samoa/Vanuatu/Tonga) was around 10 miles to the North of us but
almost as far east so they have tacked across to join us and are now only a
few miles away.

The suppport vessel Foftein is 1/2 a mile south of us running parallel a
little north of east. Both Te Matau and ourselves have only the mainsail up
and averaging 4 knots as we wait for the others to catch up.

Yesterday at 1200 hours we changed our rig from Traditional to Bermuda which
took us 55 minutes which included switching the staysail for a larger genoa.

Whilst doing the change over, Marumaru Atua sailed past us still with her
Traditional sails up.

By 1400 hours, we had caught the Marumaru Atua and we had to put a reef in
the mainsail and the mizzen to slow us down as we were getting away from the
fleet.

The wind is presently 8knots from the South West and seems to be freshening
as there are grey clouds to the south east of us.

There are a lot of Albatross circling the canoe and one has just got caught
on the trawling line so we are pulling the line in to release the poor bird.

The hook is caught on it's tail and we have managed to release the bird. It
flew a short way from the vessel before touching down on the water to rest.
It looks like it is in shock and will need a little while to recover.

Everyone is airing their wet clothes and some of the crew are being tutored
by the skipper for their Day Skippers Certificate. Johnathan will conduct an
oral and written examination for all crew members during the trip so we all
return home certified.

The watch captains will go on to do their Boat Masters and possibly Yacht
Masters.

For this voyage to Ravavae, the watch Captains have changed with Moala,
Kai'afa and Vilisoni each leading one of the three watches.

Last night as we headed East at around 12 - 15 knots, we noticed water still
leaking into the Port and Starboard forward supposedly water tight
compartments.

This morning Sonny and Kelekele, the two smallest crew members were sent far
into the bow to caulk the leaks using Sikaflex. One of the disadvantages of
being small on a sailing boat is you will always be chosen to go up the mast
in the bosuns chair or sent below into the compact sections of the hull.

Hopefully we will not take on any more water when the wind freshens and we
start to put the bow under water again.

We are just getting ready to have lunch. Unfortunately we have not caught
any more fish since Monday morning when we caught a 8kg Albacore which gave
us kokoda for breakfast, grilled fish for lunch and fish soup for dinner.

If anyone thinks we are not eating well, they are mistaken. With all the
food that has been donated, we are eating like kings although the crew would
love you all to think otherwise. Thankfully everyone is still loosing weight
from all the continuous exercise on board. I bought some scales in Auckland
so I can keep a track of everyones weight.

Yesterday we ate the last of the icecream that was donated by the Fijian
community in Auckland. Also donated in Auckland was cream rice, fruit salad,
bags of potatoes, ready to eat canned soups/beef meals, baked beans, fresh
fruit, eggs, milk,curry spices, tinned vegetables, pasta, sugar, chicken,
sausages and fish.

[Check out the online gallery to see updated pictures from the crew's time in Auckland, New Zealand.]

REPORT SENT BY SATELITE PHONE COURTESY OF DIGICEL FIJI