Brisbane to Vanuatu Yacht Rally 2007

by Dr Alan Profke on 25 Jan 2007 I am planning on sailing my yacht ‘Divinity’ to Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu leaving Brisbane on April 28th to coincide with the waxing moon (full moon 2nd May) and am looking for any other yachts who would like to join in a cruise in company.

For those who wish to break the journey, Chesterfield Reef (wind dependant) and Noumea are stop off areas. I have applied for permission to stop at Chesterfield Reef from the French Embassy as it is a French Protectorate.

I plan on leaving ‘Divinity’ in Vanuatu for six months and bringing her back to Australia with the Port to Port Rally in October. Luganville on the Island of Espiritu Santo is a port of entry and is serviced by Air Vanuatu daily or with direct flights also available with Solomon Airlines twice weekly from Brisbane.

The Island of Aore where we have a home and operate an aid post and clinic for the NiVanuatu people is only 3.5 kms from Luganville across the Segund Channel (made famous in WW2 with the American Navy having over 100 warships anchored there and where the famous dive sites of Million Dollar Point and the President Coolidge are located).

It is the plan of this Rally to support medical and educational needs of the people of Aore Island. The clinic/ aid post on Aore and is financed by our Charitable Association called The South Pacific Association which is registered in Vanuatu.

There is a nominal fee of $150AUD to join the rally. This is to cover organization, custom dancers, string band, and local Ni Vanuatu food for the celebration on Aore Island at the end of the Rally. We would also ask that any boat wishing to join us ‘donate’ some OTC medications i.e. panadol, aspirin, Nurofen, bandages, bandaids, plasters, antiseptic creams, antiseptic soap (especially tea tree oil), Tea Tree oil 100%, and any books for a community centre/library we are planning to build. Also, any computers and computer bits ie. Printers, screens etc would be appreciated.

Once we arrive in Luganville we will assist with Customs & Immigration clearance.

We are personally flying into Brisbane two Ni Vanuatu locals a week or so before the event to assist with any formalities in Brisbane and also upon arrival in Vanuatu.

The rally will end at our home on Aore Island with a celebration including Custom Dancing and the local String Band to entertain us along with traditional Ni Vanuatu food.

Vanuatu is one of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world and the people were recently voted as the friendliest in the world. We hope to make this Cruise in Company an annual event.

Accommodation /home stays on Aore can be arranged for crews /family members flying in. Self contained and/or fully catered for stays are available. We are happy to help you find something suitable.

Air Vanuatu, Vanuatu Cruising Yacht Club and Coral Keys Resort are all supportive of this event and are offering some specials on travel, accommodation, and membership.

Participation forms can be obtained by contacting me by phone or email or you can download these forms from:
http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/index.cfm?rd=n&SEID=908&SRSID=&eid=&pid=&nid=&srcid=0&ntid=0&tickeruid=0&tickercid=0

Aust ph/fax: +617 38210007
Aust mobile: 0407 743 771
Email: adprofke@bigpond.com

SOUTH PACIFIC ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE (INC)
Charitable Association Vanuatu Number 33412
Situated in Cleveland 4163 Qld Australia