December 2009 Port Vila, Vanuatu
Let’s sing this song to the tune of “Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again”. Only replace Lodi with Port Vila.
We did depart Vila for Nelson last 19 November. Sixty-one hours into that passage I discovered the main engine oil reserves were nearly empty. Last year, during this passage, the engine consumed 20 litres of oil after 110 hours of use. This time it had consumed 20 litres in 35 hours. Without sufficient oil reserves we were forced to return to port to fix a couple of leaks and take on 200 litres of lube oil.
Three days later repairs were finished, oil was loaded and 3 of my 7 crew had jumped ship. Another week later my 4th crew was called home for a family crisis and we were down to three. That would be myself, first mate Kat and my nephew Derrick.
Several people have inquired about joining the crew. However, the Ni-Vans don’t have the money for their return airfare. The backpackers are discouraged by a passage that may exceed 3 weeks.
Last week, Zdenek from the Czech Republic joined our crew. Now we are looking for at least two more crew. Alvei is ready to sail. We will have a fair wind for the next week. We just need at least 2 more people to fill in the watch list.
We are lowering the usual co-op fees by half to cover the cost of food only We expect a 3 to 5 week passage.
There are several international flights in and out of here daily. We will set sail as soon as we have 6 crew.
(Port Vila is not a bad place to get stuck; it is becoming warmer and wet as we enter the rainy season. However, we have a summer full of maintenance projects, including shaping a new Jib Boom, waiting for us in Nelson.)
Come help us get this Tall Ship down to her summer home and have a look around New Zealand while you are at it.
Cheers,
Evan
We did depart Vila for Nelson last 19 November. Sixty-one hours into that passage I discovered the main engine oil reserves were nearly empty. Last year, during this passage, the engine consumed 20 litres of oil after 110 hours of use. This time it had consumed 20 litres in 35 hours. Without sufficient oil reserves we were forced to return to port to fix a couple of leaks and take on 200 litres of lube oil.
Three days later repairs were finished, oil was loaded and 3 of my 7 crew had jumped ship. Another week later my 4th crew was called home for a family crisis and we were down to three. That would be myself, first mate Kat and my nephew Derrick.
Several people have inquired about joining the crew. However, the Ni-Vans don’t have the money for their return airfare. The backpackers are discouraged by a passage that may exceed 3 weeks.
Last week, Zdenek from the Czech Republic joined our crew. Now we are looking for at least two more crew. Alvei is ready to sail. We will have a fair wind for the next week. We just need at least 2 more people to fill in the watch list.
We are lowering the usual co-op fees by half to cover the cost of food only We expect a 3 to 5 week passage.
There are several international flights in and out of here daily. We will set sail as soon as we have 6 crew.
(Port Vila is not a bad place to get stuck; it is becoming warmer and wet as we enter the rainy season. However, we have a summer full of maintenance projects, including shaping a new Jib Boom, waiting for us in Nelson.)
Come help us get this Tall Ship down to her summer home and have a look around New Zealand while you are at it.
Cheers,
Evan
