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ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Welcome home.

Slinky Malinky are our current Seamanship Poster Crew, as a result of their efforts to stand by Ingenue, during the recent M2V.

They got back in to HBYC at 0200hrs on 12/08/10, something like 4000nm later. Welcome home team!!!! They're the first back to Port Phillip, as well, with the rest dotted around the place...

Apparently they are a "very worn out crew", which may well be a little bit of an understatement.... There was no fanfare for them at that time of the morning for them, so we are going to blow horns right now.

Three Cheers for the Slinkies!!!!!!!

Slinky Malinky barrelling out the Heads in the 2009 M2HW fleet.

By John Curnow

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ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

That African Tribe.

Our members of the Fakawi Tribe, Robyn and George aboard The Secretary, have just sent in some more information about their return voyage and where they'd like to make land and where they might have to settle for! (As of 1630hrs AEST, 09/08/10)

"Just left Chesterfield Reef, which was absolutely amazing. Thousands of birds nesting within metres - David Attenborough stuff. We were the only boat there, until a fishing boat arrived just on dusk last night. Leaving, we passed through Ilot du Passage, which is a sliver of water 14 metres deep, between two reefs and islets. Once through, the depth increased gradually to 40 metres, then dropped away to eternity, or so it seemed to our sounder."

"Unfortunately, I haven't worked out how to send photos through the sat phone yet - having enough trouble keeping the nav system working and am trying to fix the issue we have with power to the radar, as we will be needing it on approach to the East coast, to keep an eye on the nasty weather, which is heading our way."

"Have changed our plans to go direct to Brisbane because of the weather, so will now attempt landfall in Bundaberg. If unable to make headway in the conditions, once the SW hits us on Wednesday morning, we will turn tail and head north to Rockhampton or even further, until we can find shelter. Lady Musgrave (island) might be an option until it passes, assuming we can get in there in the blow. I hope the front slips away to the SE a bit faster than is predicted."

"Anyway, we're prepared for it. Will let you know when we're safe in harbour."

Stay safe and make land soon. Cheers from all of us.

By John Curnow

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ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Almost home.

Our Seamanship Poster Crew, the Slinkies aboard Slinky Malinky, are almost back in Port Phillip. The image below, was taken by Steb during the 2009 MWS, so we may be able to see them out and about for the final few races of the 2010 MWS...

John Owens has sent us in this information during the morning of 10/08/10, "Slinky is en route from Sydney to Melbourne, currently adjacent to the Gippsland Lakes today. We expect to be back at HBYC on Thursday the 12th. We left Port Vila on July 23rd and had five days on a reach across to near Fraser Island, then a few days down to Sydney, where we arrived on July 31st. Weather was crook for that week, so we had a berth for Slinky organised at the CYCA and left her there. Have a few photos to get to you when I'm in Melb."

"We got back to Sydney last Sunday (8/8/10) and set off about midday and had been getting N to NE winds of about 20+kts, so a quickish trip so far. Will contact you when in Melb."

Excellent news John and thanks for the updates. We do look forward to seeing what images you have for us. Three cheers for our Slinkies!

Also firing in a note this morning was Robyn Brooke aboard The Secretary. "One very black night is almost over. It's 0500hrs and the sky is beginning to lighten, putting to bed a rather uncomfortable ride - not pleasant when you can't see anything. After being dumped on over two consecutive watches, I have decided the party's over and I'm back in the full klamotten, wet weather pants and jacket. It's 24 degrees here at the moment, so being down below in full gear, while the boat is rolling and skewing in a rather confused sea, is a bit of a challenge." Yuck!

"Last watch, even my book took a wave! I know, I'm getting soft - one wave and I head to the shower and a change of clothes. That's what you get after a lovely dry race to Vanuatu and two weeks cruising around the islands."

"Anyway, no time to chat as the wind is swinging. Just to let you know we will probably try to make landfall in Bundaberg, depending on the trough that will hit the East coast on Wednesday. We were originally going to head directly for Brisbane, but the charts don't look so happy South of Fraser Island. If the South Westerly is too difficult to sail, we will have to turn tail and even go up to Gladstone to check in. Will keep you posted."

We do hope they stay relatively dry and certainly very safe.

By John Curnow

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ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Santa's Sleigh - Pt II.

It is with many thanks to Cheryl Coombs, of the 51st Project, that we have our initial batch of images of donated items being distributed in Vanuatu. The 'Ocean Grader', nee 51st Project, is currently on the central NSW coast, en route to Pittwater for a spot of cruising. Nice. Enjoy that one, team.

Cheryl wrote of this image - "Too Cool !!! We gave them hats from the 51st Project which were greatly received by all..."

Phil Coombs stands by the sign at one of the schools.

Phil receives ".... gifts from Ruben and his family for the School Supplies we gave them. We were very humbled."

One of the schools visited as part of the whole Humanitarian Aid Project attached to the 2010 M2V

Santa's Sleigh all right!!! Pressie time.

Cheryl comments of this image, "School on Moso Island.... Tassiriki Primary School - handing out our school supplies. A school with 76 children and prior to us arriving, they had just two balls... They flipped out !!!"

So what do you do when you have unpacked them all? Kick them, of course - "We had too much fun kicking and throwing balls around - it certainly puts a lot into perspective !!! We are so pleased that we gathered up all the items and took them - it was very rewarding for Phil, myself and Chris.

Not all hard yards, however...

Well that's a good office view.

And the view under it all is pretty special too.

Once again, many thanks to all who dug deep in sooooooooooooo many ways to make it all happen.

By John Curnow