Deja Vu in the Pacific

by Nancy Knudsen, Cruising Editor on 23 Jun 2007 Six months ago, in the middle of an Atlantic Ocean crossing, Australian boat Mary Constance broke first one lower shroud, then the other. Fortuitously, within a hundred miles of them, were two yachts who were able to assist – Meitli, a Swiss yacht, who were able to offer fuel, and ourselves, Blackwattle, who happened to have a spare shroud on board. None of the three yachts were acquainted with each other at the time.

Two weeks ago, crossing the Pacific, Blackwattle found herself on emergency power generation, but without enough petrol to power us for the balance of the journey. There were just two boats within VHF range at the time. Incredibly, they were, you guessed it, Mary Constance and Meitli. After some 2000 miles of sailing independently towards the Marquesas, and having left on different days, Mary Constance was able to rendezvous to transfer petrol to us, with Meitli standing by in case we dropped the jerry cans in the process.

We all then went our separate ways, reporting many goose bumps at the coincidence.

It's the window of opportunity for cruising sailors to make the Pacific Crossing. We all have to make it out of the cyclone belt before the cyclone season. This week several stories from those crossing – the challenges for American Wanderlust who seems to have her sails in a pickle, and for Bali Hai who is stuck in Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas with a serious engine problem. Coincidentally they are just a boat length or two from Blackwattle. We are also waiting for repairs to allow us to continue on to the Tuomotos and then Tahiti.

Several solo adventurers also in the news this week – Dee Caffari deserves her MBE, Tony Bullimore is again looking for sponsors, and great news for Adrian Flanagan, the would-be north south solo circumnavigator, who had to leave his yacht last year in Alaska for the winter.

Lots of sage advice from some US authorities too – the Top Ten Tips for boating safety, and all the best advice from an insurer about preparing for hurricanes. No matter how many years you've been sailing and caring for boats, there just might be one tip that's useful!

And plenty of other news, new innovations and entertaining tales from many corners of the world

So read on, enjoy, and

Sail Safe.