NZ Yacht Mutiny - Should it have happened?

by Nancy Knudsen, Cruising Editor on 2 Apr 2008 Have you ever been on a sailing boat when a mutiny took place? No? Pretty hard to imagine in the 21st Century, but that's what happened in the Tasman Sea last week.

90 miles off the coast of that home of excellent sailors, New Zealand, three self-admittedly inexperienced crew mutinied against their Skipper and Captain,set off an Epirb and were lifted off by helicopter. The Skipper won't talk, but when you've read the crew's version, tell me what you think!

If you like being connected to the internet ALL the time, read about my second-best friend - my NextG modem with 9db Antenna – I have not been able to find an anchorage remote enough or with cliffs high enough that I can't get the internet.

It's official. The Manson Supreme is the world's best anchor, according to the Lloyd's Register, who have recorded the Supreme as the only SUPER high holding powered anchor in the world.

The third and final Part of Dave Abbott's rivetting information about how the cruising sailor can deal with heavy weather is in this week's edition, with practical information on how to strengthen your bow to take a sea anchor safely.

For Sydneysiders there's a useful seminar coming up about VHF/HF changes, and OZSLAM is having a warehouse sale with some great gear going fast. And if you ever transit the New South Wales coast you'll be interested in the new webcam images of river bars when the weather's threatening.

News from all the world's oceans about what's going on for sailing adventurers. The Blue Water Rally has just arrived in Nuku Hiva in the remote Marquesas; that tiny hero of world sailing Dame Ellen MacArthur has been awarded yet another honour – by the French; Russian Antarctic sailor Fedor Konyukhov is still down there fighting the ice - and two inspirational sailors in their 80's and 90's who are still out winning sailing championships are profiled.

...and more, so read on, enjoy, and...

Sail safe!