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Firefly - Anchored out in the Pacific Ocean



Firefly is anchored at 23 degrees 40 minutes south and 178 degrees 58 minutes west. Unless you scroll down to considerable detail on electronic charts it will look as if we are anchored in the middle of the ocean.

We are in fact inside North Minerva Reef and are sharing the 2 mile diameter lagoon with about 20 other yachts, most of whom are sailing with the ICA rally. We are anchored in 15 metres of clear water on a sandy bottom. Initially as we approached Minerva we could see yacht masts before we could see the reef - a bizarre sight. We arrived here at 1100 on Friday 8th June and it has been fantastic to get out the uncomfortable waves we encountered en route here from New Zealand.

Minerva is a coral Atol similar to many we have visited during our time in the Pacific. Here is a short geology lesson about how they form and please note that some of this may be incorrect, Paul did get Geography A level but it was a while back.....

Sometime, millions of years back there was a volcanic eruption which is frequent in this area, part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', an island formed with very high steep mountains. The island is so high that it causes the trade winds to rise as they pass over it and it often causes rain and therefore the island develops a flora and fauna which is like a tropical rain forest. Over the life of the island a fringing coral reef forms and gradually the island erodes away. The only place where the coral does not form is where there is a fresh water river running off the island and in most cases this is on the leeward side of the island - at this point there is a gap in the coral. Eventually the island erodes away and sinks below the surface, all that is left is the fringing reef and there is a pass into the lagoon.

At 1100 we are off to go snorkeling off the SW part of the reef, near the entrance to the lagoon and this will be good distance to travel by dinghy as we are anchored in the NW area. Its quite breezy so we will go in convoy with other ICA yacht crews in case anyone has any dinghy problems - and its great that we now have a more powerful outboard - with the excellent, but super slow Honda 2.3HP we could not travel very far.

Later this afternoon we have our masquerade party planned with sundowners at low water on the reef just in front of where we are anchored - its just above water level at low water. Its a bit late due to the tide time for the cricket match but a few balls may be bowled if the wind has dropped by then.

We are also already planning our departure for Tonga. Its another 350 miles to Lifuka in the Haapai group and that will take upwards of 2.5 days. Having checked the weather via SSB our forecast agrees with what John from Rally Control broadcast to the fleet this morning. The weather is going to be generally light and variable with the likelyhood of more close or beam reaching on starboard tack for the second half of the trip - it does look best to leave at Sunday 10th May at lunchtime in order to reach Haapai with maximum daylight available in order to get to the check in port via the numerous reefs. Its a shame to be contemplating leaving Minerva so soon but its been great being here.

Our contribution to the very helpful information being exchanged on the radio - much regarding people fixing equipment on their boats after the passage - was, on behalf of all the UK citizens to advise that there is now a conservative majority in the UK - thanks to Barney for informing us by e mail that we picked up on the SSB.

Paul and Susie



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