Last reported position of the vessel and log

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Sunday 27th May 2018

SOLOMON ISLANDS (Liapari Island).  GPS: 7.945510S  156.712136E

It's been many months since the Captains Log was last updated and a lot has transpired during that time.

Due to ongoing engine issues no extended voyages have taken place since my trip to Rabaul (PNG).

That particular voyage was quite interesting as I got to visit numerous WW2 sites and dived on a number of WW2 shipwrecks and plane wrecks.

The harbour in Rabaul offers a safe anchorage but there's little on offer in the township and the yacht club is very quite most of the time.

Rabaul Volcano is still very active, it was quite an adventure to climb this simmering beast and to peer into the smoking bubbling caldera.

 

Upon my return to Liapari Island from PNG I rebuilt the engine, that's a major job in an isolated place such as Liapari with very limited workshop facilities.  To undertake the rebuild the entire engine had to be removed from the boat...that's never a fun job.

Parts had to be sourced in Australia and were hard to get and shipping was expensive.

Unfortunately the rebuild wasn't 100% successful and must be done yet again...rebuild or new engine??? 

Either way it's going to be expensive and difficult. 

Right now I'm busy trying to get some work back on the rigs to help offset some of the massive cost of the motor debacle,

I need to do that to keep the dream alive and to keep sailing diving and exploring.  I dive or snorkel most days and spearfish for the dinner table and also trade some of the fish for fresh fruit and vege's with the locals.

 

There's always jobs to be done when you live on a boat so I rarely have nothing to do.  I've become good friends with some of the local natives and with some fellow sailors, despite the engine problems all is not bad.     

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Monday 24th July 2017

SOLOMON ISLANDS (Liapari Island).  GPS: 7.945510S  156.712136E

Finally after months of blood sweat and hassles the engine is back in place, rebuilt and repainted.  It's running perfectly again but the cost for shipping and replacing the parts for the rebuild has cost me a year of my sailing budget.  On top of that I have to leave the Solomon Islands to be able to get long extension on my visa to remain here.  I'm off to Vanuatu for a few days to put that process in place, back to where I ran the diving on Moso Island.  

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Monday 26th June 2017

SOLOMON ISLANDS (Liapari Island).  GPS: 7.945510S  156.712136E

Been here for several weeks due to engine problems.  VERY difficult to get parts and communication is almost impossible, this is a major rebuild of the engine which has to be removed.  New pistons etc required and it all takes time and patience AND lots of money!  

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Monday 20th Feb 2017 

(Munda)

Plenty of things happening on land and on and in the sea.  Lots of diving on WW2 shipwrecks and exploring the jungle for old cannons an airplanes

leftover from the war. Been looking for pygmy seahorses which I'm yet to find...watch this space!  Replaced 'house batteries' on the boat and carried out various maintenance  jobs. Still working on the drone to get some aerial video, hope to be in the air soon.

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Thursday 22nd December 2016

LOLA ISLAND (near Munda)

A very sad day yesterday.  

There was a spearfishing fatality with a free-diver getting fish for friends and family for Christmas. 

Out of respect to Solomon Island mans family no names will be mentioned from the events of yesterday. 

I was asked too help in an emergency, the resort owners son in-law near where I'm anchored had a possible CO2 blackout at depths over 10 meters and did not return too surface after spearfishing. 

I SCUBA dived with the wife's brother and located speargun at 16 meters, we continued with the search but  it started to get out of diving range 48

and drops from there too 203 meters.   I'd already done some deep diving that morning and had reached my limit without risking my own safety.  

It was at this time the body was spotted at a depth 50 metres and retrieved.

Then came the harrowing task of returning to surface with the body to waiting friends and wife, very sad, sad and the hardest dive I've ever done.

Friends and family were so grateful that we returned him back his family he was doing what he loves to do,so sad. 

The Solomon Islands and it's people will always hold a special place in my heart.

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Saturday 17th December 2016

LOLA ISLAND (near Munda)

Back from diving, it's a lot better coral than some areas.  25m to 30m viz.  A bite to eat and check gear then charge batteries.  The weather is overcast, expect an afternoon storm which happens most days.

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Saturday 26th November 2016

SOLOMON ISLANDS (Liapari Island).  GPS: 7.945510S  156.712136E 

Sailed to lagoon on Liapari Island (Southern tip of Vella Lavella Island ~ Western Province).

Anchored in 45ft, sheltered lagoon.  Very handy port, slipway and repair facilities and a great little resort nearby 

Storms brewing but generally nice weather, lots of swimming & snorkling

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Saturday 19th November 2016

SOLOMON ISLANDS (Gizo).  GPS: 8 6.090S 156 50.56435E

Cleared customs a few days ago.  Awaiting replacement parts for some of the SIMRAD navigation equipment. Swimming and snorkelling and excursions into town for fresh fruit and veges. Prepping for diving & surfing.

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Sunday 30th October 2016

Herald Cay in the Coral Sea.  16.56.238 S x 149.11.434 E

Repairs completed after minor damage caused by heavy seas and strong winds.

Link to map location  http://maps.eatlas.org.au/?_ga=1.231148444.2082287453.1477954972Type "Herald Cay" into the search box to locate SV African Spirit position, use Google Sattelite image map

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Departing Herald Cays Wednesday 2nd Nov.  Destination Solomon Islands.

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