April 1998 Nelson, NZ
April 1998 NELSON, NEW ZEALAND
Being Discovered in Auckland.
Just before Christmas a location scout and 2 producers from Communicado Productions visited us at Orams Marina in Auckland. It seems they were looking for a sailing ship to play the part of an 1840ís immigrant ship in a movie for television titled ìGreenstoneî. After some discussion we agreed on a daily rate. They said they would need us for most of the month of February.
A Change of plans.
We were heading for Nelson, but with the film work to do we sailed back to the Bay of Islands to take part in the annual Tall Ships Regatta in Russell. On the way north we met head winds and arrived a day late for the regatta. I was sorry we missed the party, but to be honest I was more relieved than disappointed that we missed the regatta. After 6 weeks in port the mostly new crew was not working well. A routine sail change was often preceded by a 10-minute discussion. Sailing regattas tend to generate their own form of distraction. I had visions of a spaced out crew in close quarters with a fleet of expensive yachts. And besides, who wants to look like a fool on national television?
Jumping ship in Russell.
The life of a sailor is always changing. This often causes emotional fatigue or ìburn outî. I watch crews go through this more or less twice a year. More experienced sailors recognize the symptoms and make personal adjustments. Less experienced crew have more difficulties. Some have the good grace to pack up and look for the next adventure, while others need to find someone or something to blame for not having fun any more. After a few days of mumbling and grumbling all but 2 crew got their rear into gear and hit the road.
My Dream Team.
This left me with Jo from England and Ulla from Germany, both positive and highly motivated crew. The difference in social ambiance could be compared to going to bed on cold, gloomy winters evening and then waking up to a warm, sunny spring morning. Jo dove into the focísle for a major clean out and reorganization. Ulla went to work on a magazine article that would later be published in Yachting New Zealand and I divided my time between sending out newsletters, editing with Ulla and identifying mystery tins for Jo. A gale blew through, I taught the girls how to start the main engine and set a second anchor. When the weather calmed down Ulla organized a party and invited several yachties. After that we had several volunteers to help sail back to Auckland. A week before we planned to set sail we put up Crew Wanted notices in the local back packers hostels. The next day we had 3 more crew, all female. Word soon got around town I had an all girl crew. Lonnie and Elin returned intending to pack their gear and move on; however everyone on board was having such a good time they decided to stay a while. A few more back packers and a couple of yachties brought the crew up to a dozen.
Sailing South.
On the return passage we stopped at the abandoned whaling station at Whangamumu for a few days of fishing and tramping through native bush. Then we sailed to Great Barrier Is. for more walks to mountaintop, waterfall and Hot Springs. One of our spontaneous parties included a feed of fresh mussels and oysters picked from the shore and a midnight swim with a beautiful display of bioluminescence in the bay. The swimmers looked like angles covered with stars.
Getting ready for the movies.
We arrived back in Auckland a few days early. The studio chippies immediately got to work building sets around the cabins and painting steel spars to look like wood. We were taken to the studio and fitted with period costumes. The girls were given hats and the guys told not to shave. In order to pass the limited survey the life raft and fire extinguishers were taken in for their annual servicing. Our 20-man RFD raft had apparently picked up white mold during the last survey in Panama, the rubber was damaged and the raft condemned. It took nearly all the first half payment from the Film Company to buy a new raft.
Greenstone.
To be filmed was an 8 part for television series titled Greenstone. It is about people emigrating from England to New Zealand in the 1840’s. Alvei was to be the immigrant ship along with 7 of us as sailors in the background.
On Location.
Filming took place 10 miles north of Auckland near the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Each morning the director and the make up lady would come to Alvei about 0700. Jim would tell us how he wanted the ship positioned for the days shooting and Wendy would smear fake dirt on our faces and oil in our hair. (What a bunch of grubby sailors!) The next boat would bring about 50 cast and crew. The rest of the day would be spent blocking out, rehearsing and shooting scenes. There were busy 12 to 15 hour days. With over 50 people on board and tons of equipment, conditions were crowded. But through it all everyone was friendly and even-tempered. The people at Communicado were a fun group.
We are Sailing.
One day near the end of filming the second unit film crew, directed by producer Chris Bailey, came out on a chase boat to film us under sail. I put the New Zealand skipper Pony More on the helm and directed the crew on deck. We sailed several hours, beating and running, setting and furling 14 sails. It was a good day sailing, the crew worked well. This event later led Capt. More to confide to one of the film people, ì the laid back hippies turned into the well oiled team (Thanks Pony, good on ya mate.)
Back to Normal.
Returning to Orams Marina in Auckland after filming. We gave a potluck social on board for the cast and crew, attracting about 50 people. It was one of our best parties ever lasting till about 2 a.m. We loaded our boats and woodpile back on board and got ready for the passage to Nelson. Jeff and Max showed up one morning with a boat on a trailer. Dave Beere from Russell in the Bay of Islands gave us a beautiful 16-ft. lap strake boat named Morning Star. He said it had been sitting in his barn 8 years and he wanted it to go to a good home. Thanks Dave, sheís a beauty.
Passage to Nelson.
It is a 650-mile sail from Auckland via East Cape to Nelson. I was anticipating a week to 10-day sail. Big mistake! It seemed every time we tried to sail some where, there was a gale blowing from that direction, or no wind at all. Leaving Auckland and sailing into the Hauraki Gulf we were enbayed for a week with a fresh noríeasterly. Finally motor sailing across the north end of the Coromandle Peninsula into the Bay of Plenty, toward East Cape, we were met with an easterly gale. We put into Tauranga to wait for favorable winds.
Thousand dollar Sunday.
That Sunday the gale shifted to souíwest, with sustained wind at 50 knots. We dragged anchor into a small motor yacht mashing the bow pulpit. We set 2 hooks and dragged them. Then got permission from Harbour Radio to use the commercial dock with the rubber bumpers. The cost to repair the deck, make a new pulpit and
Being Discovered in Auckland.
Just before Christmas a location scout and 2 producers from Communicado Productions visited us at Orams Marina in Auckland. It seems they were looking for a sailing ship to play the part of an 1840ís immigrant ship in a movie for television titled ìGreenstoneî. After some discussion we agreed on a daily rate. They said they would need us for most of the month of February.
A Change of plans.
We were heading for Nelson, but with the film work to do we sailed back to the Bay of Islands to take part in the annual Tall Ships Regatta in Russell. On the way north we met head winds and arrived a day late for the regatta. I was sorry we missed the party, but to be honest I was more relieved than disappointed that we missed the regatta. After 6 weeks in port the mostly new crew was not working well. A routine sail change was often preceded by a 10-minute discussion. Sailing regattas tend to generate their own form of distraction. I had visions of a spaced out crew in close quarters with a fleet of expensive yachts. And besides, who wants to look like a fool on national television?
Jumping ship in Russell.
The life of a sailor is always changing. This often causes emotional fatigue or ìburn outî. I watch crews go through this more or less twice a year. More experienced sailors recognize the symptoms and make personal adjustments. Less experienced crew have more difficulties. Some have the good grace to pack up and look for the next adventure, while others need to find someone or something to blame for not having fun any more. After a few days of mumbling and grumbling all but 2 crew got their rear into gear and hit the road.
My Dream Team.
This left me with Jo from England and Ulla from Germany, both positive and highly motivated crew. The difference in social ambiance could be compared to going to bed on cold, gloomy winters evening and then waking up to a warm, sunny spring morning. Jo dove into the focísle for a major clean out and reorganization. Ulla went to work on a magazine article that would later be published in Yachting New Zealand and I divided my time between sending out newsletters, editing with Ulla and identifying mystery tins for Jo. A gale blew through, I taught the girls how to start the main engine and set a second anchor. When the weather calmed down Ulla organized a party and invited several yachties. After that we had several volunteers to help sail back to Auckland. A week before we planned to set sail we put up Crew Wanted notices in the local back packers hostels. The next day we had 3 more crew, all female. Word soon got around town I had an all girl crew. Lonnie and Elin returned intending to pack their gear and move on; however everyone on board was having such a good time they decided to stay a while. A few more back packers and a couple of yachties brought the crew up to a dozen.
Sailing South.
On the return passage we stopped at the abandoned whaling station at Whangamumu for a few days of fishing and tramping through native bush. Then we sailed to Great Barrier Is. for more walks to mountaintop, waterfall and Hot Springs. One of our spontaneous parties included a feed of fresh mussels and oysters picked from the shore and a midnight swim with a beautiful display of bioluminescence in the bay. The swimmers looked like angles covered with stars.
Getting ready for the movies.
We arrived back in Auckland a few days early. The studio chippies immediately got to work building sets around the cabins and painting steel spars to look like wood. We were taken to the studio and fitted with period costumes. The girls were given hats and the guys told not to shave. In order to pass the limited survey the life raft and fire extinguishers were taken in for their annual servicing. Our 20-man RFD raft had apparently picked up white mold during the last survey in Panama, the rubber was damaged and the raft condemned. It took nearly all the first half payment from the Film Company to buy a new raft.
Greenstone.
To be filmed was an 8 part for television series titled Greenstone. It is about people emigrating from England to New Zealand in the 1840’s. Alvei was to be the immigrant ship along with 7 of us as sailors in the background.
On Location.
Filming took place 10 miles north of Auckland near the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Each morning the director and the make up lady would come to Alvei about 0700. Jim would tell us how he wanted the ship positioned for the days shooting and Wendy would smear fake dirt on our faces and oil in our hair. (What a bunch of grubby sailors!) The next boat would bring about 50 cast and crew. The rest of the day would be spent blocking out, rehearsing and shooting scenes. There were busy 12 to 15 hour days. With over 50 people on board and tons of equipment, conditions were crowded. But through it all everyone was friendly and even-tempered. The people at Communicado were a fun group.
We are Sailing.
One day near the end of filming the second unit film crew, directed by producer Chris Bailey, came out on a chase boat to film us under sail. I put the New Zealand skipper Pony More on the helm and directed the crew on deck. We sailed several hours, beating and running, setting and furling 14 sails. It was a good day sailing, the crew worked well. This event later led Capt. More to confide to one of the film people, ì the laid back hippies turned into the well oiled team (Thanks Pony, good on ya mate.)
Back to Normal.
Returning to Orams Marina in Auckland after filming. We gave a potluck social on board for the cast and crew, attracting about 50 people. It was one of our best parties ever lasting till about 2 a.m. We loaded our boats and woodpile back on board and got ready for the passage to Nelson. Jeff and Max showed up one morning with a boat on a trailer. Dave Beere from Russell in the Bay of Islands gave us a beautiful 16-ft. lap strake boat named Morning Star. He said it had been sitting in his barn 8 years and he wanted it to go to a good home. Thanks Dave, sheís a beauty.
Passage to Nelson.
It is a 650-mile sail from Auckland via East Cape to Nelson. I was anticipating a week to 10-day sail. Big mistake! It seemed every time we tried to sail some where, there was a gale blowing from that direction, or no wind at all. Leaving Auckland and sailing into the Hauraki Gulf we were enbayed for a week with a fresh noríeasterly. Finally motor sailing across the north end of the Coromandle Peninsula into the Bay of Plenty, toward East Cape, we were met with an easterly gale. We put into Tauranga to wait for favorable winds.
Thousand dollar Sunday.
That Sunday the gale shifted to souíwest, with sustained wind at 50 knots. We dragged anchor into a small motor yacht mashing the bow pulpit. We set 2 hooks and dragged them. Then got permission from Harbour Radio to use the commercial dock with the rubber bumpers. The cost to repair the deck, make a new pulpit and