December 2005 A New Beginning
A New Beginning
After nearly two years of inactivity the topsail schooner Alvei and her skipper Evan have found a new direction and a new sense of purpose. Alvei will be fitted with a new engine, a new crew and a change of direction. Between December 2005 and April 2006 we will re-engine and make ready for sea. We will visit some of our old tropical haunts, along with spending an increasing amount of time helping the people of Vanuatu providing urgent medical care. There is even some Hollywood film work being discussed. Here are some details.
Alvei’s Current Status
I received a letter this week from Capt. Jo and Pilot Phil in New Zealand. They report that Alvei is looking somewhat scruffy after 7 months of neglect. They added that the interior is in good condition after the winter weather. Alvei is tied up in a small port near a country town in Golden Bay. Dock fees there are inexpensive and the people are very friendly. We will stay some time there until mechanical needs require we return to a larger port.
Alvei’s Main Engine Repair
The main engine is still in need of repair or replacement. I have asked Wartsila-Wichmann for sponsorship to help repair the old Wichmann 2AC. However, I have not heard back from them.
By coincidence I have been investigating the replacement of the main engine on this schooner Clipper City. As it is, reconditioned engines and gearboxes may be obtained for a fraction of the cost of repairing the old Wichmann. There is a viable way through our main engine repair dilemma. Details are currently being resolved.
New Crew and Former Crew
We have 2 experienced crew, Jared and Kat rejoining Alvei in January. There are two more new people, Lisa and Juliane, planning to join along with a growing list of people waiting for our itinerary for 2006. There is a long list of people waiting for the new itinerary.
Coming Events in 2006
In 2006 the months of January, February, March and the first half of April will be used to make Alvei ready for sea. There is lots to be done. I heartily encourage everyone who is interested in joining us to arrive as soon after the first of the year as possible. Alvei is a hands on, do it ourselves project; we need people and money to get things moving again. If you decide to wait until it is time to go sailing again you have missed the point. Alvei needs people and finances to put things together and make it happen. Also, joining fees are less when we are in port. All time on Alvei counts toward your one-year initiation time. So, please come early and help us put it all back together again.
Project MARC
When we return to the South Pacific islands the main focus of our season will be on working with Project MARC, (Medical Aid to Remote Communities), in Vanuatu. Project MARC has been working in Vanuatu for the past five years and is just now finishing their 2005 season. Further discussion will be needed before their 2006 itinerary is complete.
Islands in the Stream
After we know when we are needed in Vanuatu; we will be able to better plan the time between May and August. Most likely we will be visiting Samoa, Tonga and Fiji before returning to Vanuatu. After we finish the season in Vanuatu we will most likely be visiting Australia during the cyclone season from December to April. We will be posting a detailed itinerary after the first of the year.
Further Details Regarding Project MARC
After we arrive in Vanuatu and begin working with Project MARC we will allocate 12 bunks for the Project MARC people and 6 bunks for regular Alvei crew. Regular crew and medical aid duties will be inter-changeable in the field. We all get to help with the running of the ship and the operations on shore. More specific details will be posted on this site after we learn what MARC has planned for their 2006 season.
Funding for Alvei
Alvei is a privately owned ship operating as a non-profit organization with humanitarian objectives. No one here is wealthy; there is no outside source of funding. The people who participate in the programs provide all funding for the operation of the vessel. While we would very much like to be able to pay experienced sailors; it is not possible at this time. Also, there are often capable, hard working people willing to make a contribution as a volunteer. Everyone must pay a basic maintenance fee and then prove their capabilities before they will be allowed to sail for free.
Ongoing Objectives
Alvei has been in operation since 1995. We have given thousands of people a memorable sailing experience for a fraction of the cost of other Tall Ships. We operate along the lines of a sailing cooperative. Everyone needs to pay toward ongoing expenses and to join in the day to day work routine of operating the vessel while we are at sea and while we are in port. In return a person will gain the knowledge and experience of the life of a sailor and the way of the sea.
A New Project
Hollywood is calling... Three months ago Danny DeVito, along with Oscar winning Art Director Dan Henna visited Alvei in New Zealand. They were looking for props for a new film. A production schedule has not yet been posted; but Dan recently assured me that they were firmly interested in using Alvei in the new film.
After nearly two years of inactivity the topsail schooner Alvei and her skipper Evan have found a new direction and a new sense of purpose. Alvei will be fitted with a new engine, a new crew and a change of direction. Between December 2005 and April 2006 we will re-engine and make ready for sea. We will visit some of our old tropical haunts, along with spending an increasing amount of time helping the people of Vanuatu providing urgent medical care. There is even some Hollywood film work being discussed. Here are some details.
Alvei’s Current Status
I received a letter this week from Capt. Jo and Pilot Phil in New Zealand. They report that Alvei is looking somewhat scruffy after 7 months of neglect. They added that the interior is in good condition after the winter weather. Alvei is tied up in a small port near a country town in Golden Bay. Dock fees there are inexpensive and the people are very friendly. We will stay some time there until mechanical needs require we return to a larger port.
Alvei’s Main Engine Repair
The main engine is still in need of repair or replacement. I have asked Wartsila-Wichmann for sponsorship to help repair the old Wichmann 2AC. However, I have not heard back from them.
By coincidence I have been investigating the replacement of the main engine on this schooner Clipper City. As it is, reconditioned engines and gearboxes may be obtained for a fraction of the cost of repairing the old Wichmann. There is a viable way through our main engine repair dilemma. Details are currently being resolved.
New Crew and Former Crew
We have 2 experienced crew, Jared and Kat rejoining Alvei in January. There are two more new people, Lisa and Juliane, planning to join along with a growing list of people waiting for our itinerary for 2006. There is a long list of people waiting for the new itinerary.
Coming Events in 2006
In 2006 the months of January, February, March and the first half of April will be used to make Alvei ready for sea. There is lots to be done. I heartily encourage everyone who is interested in joining us to arrive as soon after the first of the year as possible. Alvei is a hands on, do it ourselves project; we need people and money to get things moving again. If you decide to wait until it is time to go sailing again you have missed the point. Alvei needs people and finances to put things together and make it happen. Also, joining fees are less when we are in port. All time on Alvei counts toward your one-year initiation time. So, please come early and help us put it all back together again.
Project MARC
When we return to the South Pacific islands the main focus of our season will be on working with Project MARC, (Medical Aid to Remote Communities), in Vanuatu. Project MARC has been working in Vanuatu for the past five years and is just now finishing their 2005 season. Further discussion will be needed before their 2006 itinerary is complete.
Islands in the Stream
After we know when we are needed in Vanuatu; we will be able to better plan the time between May and August. Most likely we will be visiting Samoa, Tonga and Fiji before returning to Vanuatu. After we finish the season in Vanuatu we will most likely be visiting Australia during the cyclone season from December to April. We will be posting a detailed itinerary after the first of the year.
Further Details Regarding Project MARC
After we arrive in Vanuatu and begin working with Project MARC we will allocate 12 bunks for the Project MARC people and 6 bunks for regular Alvei crew. Regular crew and medical aid duties will be inter-changeable in the field. We all get to help with the running of the ship and the operations on shore. More specific details will be posted on this site after we learn what MARC has planned for their 2006 season.
Funding for Alvei
Alvei is a privately owned ship operating as a non-profit organization with humanitarian objectives. No one here is wealthy; there is no outside source of funding. The people who participate in the programs provide all funding for the operation of the vessel. While we would very much like to be able to pay experienced sailors; it is not possible at this time. Also, there are often capable, hard working people willing to make a contribution as a volunteer. Everyone must pay a basic maintenance fee and then prove their capabilities before they will be allowed to sail for free.
Ongoing Objectives
Alvei has been in operation since 1995. We have given thousands of people a memorable sailing experience for a fraction of the cost of other Tall Ships. We operate along the lines of a sailing cooperative. Everyone needs to pay toward ongoing expenses and to join in the day to day work routine of operating the vessel while we are at sea and while we are in port. In return a person will gain the knowledge and experience of the life of a sailor and the way of the sea.
A New Project
Hollywood is calling... Three months ago Danny DeVito, along with Oscar winning Art Director Dan Henna visited Alvei in New Zealand. They were looking for props for a new film. A production schedule has not yet been posted; but Dan recently assured me that they were firmly interested in using Alvei in the new film.
