The Island Cruising Association opens gateways

ICA - The Island Cruising Association ICA ICA

John & Lyn Martin run the ICA from their yacht Windflower - The Island Cruising Association © ICA ICA

The ICA is based in New Zealand and run by long time cruising couple - John and Lyn Martin. The association has been going for more than 25 years and is a friendly, informal group of ‘yachties’ who enjoy the camaraderie of cruising in company.

If you are considering sailing from NZ to the Islands this season and would like some company, then as a member of ICA, you are welcome to join one of their rallies leaving from Opua, NZ and going to Tonga and Vanuatu. This is a fabulous way to sail that infamous stretch from NZ to the South Pacific Islands in a ‘safety net’ of other boats. Once you’re up there you can either sail off and explore on your own, or else stay with your new friends and enjoy a stunning ‘South Pacific Circuit’ in company. Your arrivals will be smoothed by the Martins, who make arrangements with the authorities to fast track clearances for ICA yachts.

5. Time for a sundowner with the ICA - The Island Cruising Association © ICA ICA

Rallies might not be your style, but that’s OK, you can still benefit from the ICA’s seminars, training days, marine store discounts, marine insurance and a wealth of useful cruising information which includes five titles published exclusively by them – A Guide to Cruising, Safety & Emergencies at Sea, The Kiwi Cruisers Log, and two fabulous information sources, Sail New Zealand and Sail South Pacific - both packed with details on anchorages, marinas, supermarkets, water, fuel etc, basically everything you need to know about cruising NZ and the South Pacific. Members also meet once a month in Auckland for an excellent dinner which is often accompanied by an interesting speaker.

Your next destination? © ICA ICA

Over the years, the ICA’s familiar presence in the Islands has led to the development of a marine conservation area, in partnership with the community at Asanvari, on the island of Maewo in Vanuatu. Chief Nelson has designated the Asanvari Bay as a conservation area – with no fishing and definitely no anchoring on the coral. During the coming 2008 season, the ICA will be putting down three moorings in the coral area and will be continuing with a program to increase the number of moorings over the next few years. The coral reef and its marine life will benefit from protection and the village will receive some much needed income.

You’ll find lots more information on the ICA site www.islandcruising.co.nz which has more than 200 pages, links to over 100 web sites related to cruising and a Cruisers’ Forum with articles posted by members.
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ICA Passage-Maker Seminar in Auckland 29 – 30th March, 2008
Two days of instruction by experts in the skills needed for safe, comfortable passage-making, leaving you better equipped to handle your boat, yourself and your crew, the weather and sea conditions, together with first hand information on Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu & New Caledonia.

Topics to include - sails & sail care; charts and other publications; health care in the tropics; electronics; rigging; computers on board; Cat.1 & MSA requirements; weather forecasting; safety equipment; watch-keeping; heavy weather preparation and panel discussions by people who have already cruised the South Pacific Islands.

For further information and on-line registration visit www.islandcruising.co.nz
You can get in touch with John and Lyn directly on ica@iconz.co.nz

Another ICA anchorage in paradise - The Island Cruising Association © ICA ICA