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Rally Yachts Helping Out- 18th June 2010The yachties go on the rally to have fun and enjoy the place, but few who go don’t wish to give something to this remote and impoverished community. Rally yachts try to raise some cash which is used use to support the Nimowa Clinic and its marine ambulance. The Clinic supports 8,000++ people around Sudest Island which is rarely visited by yachts, hence we extend our benefit. With bribes of the handicapper, a charity auction and donations Rally Organisers cajole any lose cash from each crew. Many yachties are also fund raising before they join the Rally with friends, clubs & businesses. A little goes a long way! Rally Yahcts visit a few elementary/primary schools and one middle school (early secondary). Yachties are collecting basic materials, pencils, pens, exercise books, basic English readers etc. These simple items are highly valued. A few weeks ago, Rally organisers recieved a letter from Sister Serah at Nimowa, she has requested a Oxypulsimeter, glucometer and a heamometer. Roger from Engarde has found the first two already to donate! (Thanks heaps Roger!). |
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20 Entries and Growing- 21st June 2010The entry list has grown to 20 and there are many enquiries for the 2010 Louisiades Rally. A large motor cruiser, catamarans and monohulls make up the fleet so far. This year is the third and interest in the Rally continues. Gordon Wesley, the local member of Parliament has offered support for the Showcase Misima festival! Keith and Lynette from the Bwagoia bakery are helping to arrnage the festivisited in Misima and the local community is eagerly awaiting the yachties arrival. |
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Getting Ready - Entries Stronger and Growing!- 31st May 2010By the end of May there are 17 entries for the 2010 Louisiades Yacht Rally. Guy Chester said that there is still stong interest and there are many more entries expected in coming weeks. "We do have to set a maximum, and whilst we can accept more entries at this stage, we may have to close off the list soon. Interested yachties should get their entries in soon". The Rally is now in its third year and recieved strong support from the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority and is hosted by Yorkeys Knob Boating Club. "This year there are yachts including a thirty five tonne Motor crusier, some fifty foot catamarans, a fifty-seven foot monohull and many 38-50´ production cruising style yachts" said Guy. As well as getting their boats ready for the passage, doing their qualifying voyages with the crew aboard and getting their land life sorted out for their escape, many yachties are also getting their aid and trade goods sorted. "Many crew from previous Rallies and others who have visited the Louisiades have been collecting clothes, educational and medical supplies to be taken up by this year´s fleet. This year we also have a request from the Nimowa Clinic for some special medical equipment for their labour ward, so we are also raising money to purchase this to take up with us." Yachts interested in entering, of folk wishing to send donations of useful goods or even money(!), contact louisiadesrally@ecosustainability.com |
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Crew Wanted- 7th May 2010At least one of the boats already entered in the rally and a few thinking about it need crew. There are positions for both couples and singles! Call or email Guy Chester to express interest. 0407 391211 or louisiadesrally@ecosustainability.com |
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Early Bird Entry Fee Extended for two weeks!- 5th May 2010As of 5 May, there are 13 entries in the 2010 Louisiades Rally. Guy Chester, Rally organiser, said "This shows the success of the rally and the potential for it to become an ongoing annual avent!" The Rally has strong interest and the discounted early Bird entry has been extended until 17 May. Potential Rally entrants are reminded that with strong interest this year, the maximum may be achieved soon and we may need to close entries! Best to get entries in soonest! |
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2010 Entry Forms and Briefing on Website- 31st January 2010The Rally Website has the 2010 Rally Briefing and Entry Form available for download. Guy Chester said: "We already have many expressions of interest and enquiries, with promotion of the Rally now underway the key information for entrants is now available." |
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Yorkeys Knob to Host Rally- 31st January 2010The Yorkeys Knob Boating Club has again offered to support the Louisiades Rally for 2010. The Club has again offered its facilities and support to host the week long "muster" and farewell of Rally participants. The Club assits the Rally with discounted berthing in the Marina (included in Rally Entry Fee), support with Rally events such as the Rally Briefing, Safety Briefing, Farewell and welcome dinner. Guy Chester, Rally Organiser said: "The support of the Club is crucial to the events´ success, we need a base to bring the boats into one place and Half Moon Bay Marina is ideal! In the week prior to departure, we also need a place to bring the crews together, let them finalise boat preparation, get their stores and attend rally briefings and social events." Guy said that Marina staff go out of their way to welcome the Rally Yachts and memebers welcome hosting the international event. The Yorkeys Knob Boating Club and Half Moon Bay Marina are once again "The Best Nautical Address in the North". THANKS! |
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Meridien Marina's Supports The Rally- 30th January 2010Meridien Marina´s Abel Point Marina has offered to support the Rally with a 50% discount for up to a weeks berthing for Rally yacht at their Whitsundays marina their way north to Cairns and again on their return to the south. Guy Chester, Rally Organiser welcomed the support and said: "It is just fantastic that Meridien have offered such support, the delivery of southern based yachts up to Cairns will be that much easier." We hope this will encourage more entrants in this years Rally! Thanks Meridien!!!! |
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PNG Government Support for 2010!- 30th January 2010The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority has confirmed it´s ongoing support for the Rally. Support for rally promotion has been confirmed and advertising for the Rally placed in various sailing and crusing websites and magazines. Guy Chester, the Rally organiser said: "Witjout this support we would not be able to promote the Rally and attact the entries". Peter Vincent, CEO of The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority said that the support for the Rally allows promotion: "We are hoping for strong entries this year. The Rally provides great support for the Louisiades Community and it is the type of tourism to this remote area that PNG hopes to encourage." |
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Rally On for 2010!- 12th January 2010The rally will be held again in 2010. Sponsorship lookes like it has been arranged and thus we can announce we will hold the Rally again in 2010. We will add the 2010 rally Briefing and Entry forms soonest, in the meantime, please express interest via an email to guychester@ecosustainability.com or call 07 40558132, Cheers Guy Chester |
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More Important Results- 28th September 2009Of far more importance to the yachts than the Yorkeys Handicap were the other prizes, awarded as a “skite” plate to be mounted on the yachts bulkhead. The longest passage: Dancer (who sailed from Brisbane via New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomons to join the Rally); Shortest Passage: Plum Loco (the smallest cat, owner built); Most motoring: Investigator not eligible as it had placed second on the Yorkeys handicap, Rainbows End (who essentially motored from Bundaberg); Least sail changes: Ozzie Wandra (set and forget!); Most sail changes: Utopia (who tore then repaired then re-tore their genoa); Biggest Fish: Rainbows End (who did not bring fillets nor photographs but had the best tale!); Best radio Scheds: The Owl (always ready with a hoot!); Easiest Passage: Investigator V, airconditioned fly bridge!); Best Cook: Sanctuary (gourmet spaghetti bolognese cooked at sea); Youngest Crew: Stereo (8 years old “Daffy Duck”); Best Skipper: Stereo (dad didn’t shout at us once!); Hardest passage Moongara (slow but they got there!). |
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Yorkeys to Duchateau Handicap Results- 28th September 2009The BBQ at Panasia Island saw the results of the Yorkeys Knob Handicap established and other very keenly contested prizes awarded. Winner of the passage Cairns to Duchateau based on the “Yorkeys Handicap” which takes into account the age of crew, number of children on board, age of vessel, number of masts, hulls, sails, dinghies, languages spoken, battery capacity, number of electric winches, type of propellor and the colour of the antifouling (blue is of course faster in the Coral Sea). Vessels with carbon fibre, kevlar or other new fangled plastics in the hull or rigging are penalised severely on handicap. The handicap was established by lottery at the Farewell before the boats left. However Rally boats were encouraged to bribe the organisers at the Panasia BBQ rto ensure a better treatment. The bribes amounted to over $1500 raised toward a 24 hour blood pressure monitor for Nimowa Clinic. The “passage time” for each yacht was decided by a “number” pulled from a hat by the youngest crew at the at Panasia. Taking into account the unbiased, but bribed handicapping, the random passage time and the special consideration factors vigourously applied.. the official results were: First: Tribal (45’ Catamaran), Second Investigator V (56’ Motor cruiser) and Third Platinum (48’ Ketch). Last place went to Sanctuary (40’ catamaran), who actually finished first to Duchateau of the sailboats. |
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Panasia Skull Caves- 20th September 2009Mackenzie took two banana boats and few dinghies to the skull cave on little Panasia. Lots of fun in a long dinghy ride... half an hour each way some of it across open ocean. Great stuff! Then a village visit... real culture shock for some of our yachties who could not believe these folk live with so little. A steep rocky climb up a limestone cliff (an old uplifted reef), the cave full of skulls... now long forgotten ancestors. |
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Panasia - The Best Address- 20th September 2009The majority of the Rally fleet descended on Panasia yesterday. There was a sunset drinks on the beach, hosted by John and his family. Rainbow´s End will make landfall tonight having joined the fleet from Bundaberg. After a passage across the Coral Sea, and a rolly anchorage at Duchateau, the calm lagoon of Panasia and the spectcular towering cliffs, Panasia was voted the best address! |
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Passage Completed for Early yachts- 16th September 2009The first yachts in the 2009 Louisiades Rally have made safe landfall at Duchateau Islands. "Sanctuary" and "Tribal" entered the Calvados Lagoon via the shipping channel of Jomard Passage late last night, anchoring at Duchateau after midnight. "Plum Loco" arrived at Duchteau early this morning, closely followed by the other catamarans of the fleet, Stereo and Ozzi Wandra. Ozzi Wandra took the opportunity and caught a green jobfish as they entered the pass to the west of Duchateau. The beautiful new Jeaneau, "The Owl" brought up the lead of the monohull yachts sailed by the double-handers Elanor and Ken Hart. Dreamagic arrived at Duchateau mid morning. All other yachts still at sea report all well on board with Ada, Aequus and Moongara are expected to arrive Thursday, Platinum and Utopia are expected this afternoon/evening. Rainbows End is sailing up the Coral Sea and expected to arrive Friday. |
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Coral Sea Crossing Underway- 15th September 2009The feet of thirteen yachts that left Yorkeys Knob (near Cairns) early Sunday are now well on their way across the Coral Sea to the remote Louisiade Islands. The beautiful Riviera motor cruiser Investigator V has led the fleet at steady ten knots. During position reports last night, they expected to make landfall early this morning. Sanctuary is leading group of catamarans likely to make landfall later tonight. Sanctuary´s skipper, Guy Chester explained that a night entry through Jomard Passage, major shipping route was possible, the passage near Duchteau Islands can only be used in good daylight. Bringing up the rear of the fleet, the smaller monohulls, Ada, Aequus and Moongara always knew a good passage would be four to five days, about half way this morning, they are revelling in the moderate conditions and making good time. |
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Rally Departure- 14th September 2009The rally fleet delayed departure today until 0600 13th September. There are now 15 boats in the Rally. Thirteen have departed Yorkeys Knob, bound for Grafton Passage then direct to Duchateau Islands in the Louisiades. Arrival waypoint is 11 DEG 20’S 152DEG 21’E This is used for passage reporting by the whole fleet. NOTE of the 15 boats Dancer is sailing from the Solomons to PNG waters at present and will join the Rally once all meet up late this week (they are not part of the Coral Sea passage!). Rainbows End has left from Bundaberg and is anchored at Frederick Reef at present, they intend to depart and sail to Duchateau this evening/Monday AM. |
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2009 Rally Fleet Leaves Yorkeys Knob- 30th November -0001The Rally fleet left from Yorkeys Knob today at dawn. A steady 15-20 knot breeze and a beautiful dawn saw the boats depart across Trinity Bay bound for Grafton Passage and out to the Coral Sea bound for the Louisiades. Thirteen boats left Yorkeys, ranging from a 57 foot luxury motor cruiser to a 35 foot twenty year old sloop. Tow other yachts will meet up with the fleet in PNG, Rainbows End will sail up the Coral Sea from Bundaberg and Dancer is sailing over from the Solomons at present. |
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2009 Rally Countdown!- 2nd September 2009Seventeen Yachts are getting ready for the 2009 Louisiades Rally! |
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Early Bird Entry Extended- 30th November -0001Eight yachts have confirmed entry to the 2009 Louisiades Rally so far, with many more having recently expressed interest. The Rally Organisers have today confirmed the Papua new Guinea government´s support for promotion of the 2009 Rally and can now offer an extension of the Early Bird entry fee until 30 May 2009. |
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2009 Entries Open - Rally Briefing and Entry Form On Website- 16th February 2009The 2009 Louisiades Rally Briefing and Entry Form has been uploaded to the website (see More Info). Strong interest in the 2009 Rally has been expressed by over 40 yachts to date, entries are open for 2009. Five or so of last years yachts have expressed interest in doing the Rally again and many others are already "definitely coming". Early bird entries close 1 May. |
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Rally for 2009!!!- 2nd November 2008EcoSustainAbility has confirmed that the Louisiades rally will again be held in 2009! Rally organiser, Guy Chester said today that whilst some Rally yachts are still in the Coral Sea returning from the Rally there is already interest in the 2009 Rally. "The local people of the Louisiades all wanted the Rally to return in 2009 and are planning their events already! We are confirming our arrangements with our sponsors and partners, and have surveyed the 2008 yachties for their ideas for 2009." EcoSustainAbility plans to release details of the 2009 Rally later this year. Those wishing to express interest can contact the Rally by email LouisiadesRally@EcoSustainAbility.com |
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Coral Sea Passages Almost Completed- 2nd November 2008Eight of the Rally yachts are now back in Australia, with the remaining seven having left the Louisiades on Thursday they are currently on passage to Cairns and Townsville. |
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Salvage in Paradise - Quintessence Recovered- 2nd November 2008The Sailing Yacht Quintessence ran aground on a reef of the Duchateau Islands during a tropical squall on September 25. Quintessence was sailing to the Louisiade Islands as part of the Louisiades Rally 2008. As soon as Quintessence hit the reef and made a VHF radio call, other Rally yachts went to their aid. The owners Chris and Wendy were taken off the yacht as it was in surf on the windward side of the reef. Overnight Quintessence drifted across the coral and lagoon to rest on the beach of the western Duchateau Island. Over the following two weeks, local people of the Louisiades helped to salvage Quintessence. Cairns yachtie Chris Mitchell of Lady Bubbly was instrumental in making plans for the salvage which was helped by Rally yacht Platinum. Whilst these "dim dims" (the local name for Europeans) did help the major credit goes to Joseph Sam, Loti Bulo and David Buneobo who directed salvage operations, aided by five other villagers. Quintessence was refloated on 10 october after three attempts. Unfortunately, whilst some locals worked their hardest to save Quintessence, other locals did take and damage a lot of equipment. With the help of local Police some of the gear has been recovered. Louisiades Rally yachts donated much spare equipment to re-equip Quntessence for her sail back to Cairns. Quintessence is currently being sailed back to Cairns, closely accompanyed by another Rally yacht, Passe Partout. |
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Kids Show Yachties How to Play Soccer and Netball- 15th October 2008After visiting Nimowa Mission School and Hospital, the yachties took on the kids in soccer and netball. The soccer game was characterised by eight to eleven year old school boys running around and through the legs of the mostly fifty something years old yachties team. The yachties managed a goal with the local kids taking the day with 3-1 the final score. The ladies netball was equally a mis-match, a very good team of eight to twelve year old girls took on the vastly older, yet taller yachties ladies team. The yachties used their height to control the ball but could not convert possession to score, whereas the kids, once they had the ball.. passed low and fast and turned every possession to a score. The ladies score is best not discussed, but the smiles on all showed the fun of taking on the "dim dims" (local word for Europeans). |
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Rally Yachts Giving Something Back to the Community Nimowa Hospital and School- 15th October 2008Nimowa Health Centre was the focus of the Rally´s benefit back to the community for 2008. After a brief school visit at the mission school many school book and other teaching resources were given to the mission school. Then, the yachties were taken to the Nimowa Hospital.. a clinic serving six thousand local residents with four nurses and six other staff. With the nearest doctor 120 nautical miles away in Alotau, Sister Sara saves lives and makes the numerous in-patients and out-patients as comfortable and healthy as resources allow. The difficult circumstances were highlighted by the death during labour of a young mother only the night before the yachties visit. The yachties raised over 4500 Kina (more than $2000 AUD). This doubles the total annual operational budget for the hospital (excluding staff costs and a meagre supply of drugs). The yachties also brought over thirty bags of medical supplies ranging from kids toys to much needed local anaesthetic. Sister Sara, outlined that the hospital only had four ampoules of local anaesthetic left and mostly used "vocal anaesthetic" distracting patients by getting them to talk whilst minor surgery is performed. |
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Fieori River Trip- 14th October 2008After getting together at Nimowa anchorage the yachts were left behind in favour of a series of outboard powered banana boats which sped off with about six yachties each along the coast of Sudest Island to the mouth of the river. Then the "train" of eight long boats wound up the rainforest clad river to the first of two spectacular waterfalls. Yachties had a swim and lunch before visiting another waterfall on a branch of the river. The long boats then returned to a small island just off Nimowa where they went for a short snorkel. Many of the yachties voted this as the best day on the trip! |
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Its a Pirate Party!- 12th October 2008After a week of independent cruising, all yachts came back together for a "Pirate Party" and BBQ. Many yachts and yachties dressed in their finest pirate gear.. but all the rally yachts were totally eclipsed by the Pirate Gear of non-rally yacht Aussie Oi that "gate crashed" the party (as pirates tend to do!). Aussie Oi enjoyed the party and made a suitable donation of dubloons and gold for the Nimowa Hospital... |
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Miss Misima- 6th October 2008The Miss Misima competition was held as part of the Misima Showcase 2008. This involved local young women dressing in traditional garb including the Loba ( grass skirt with one to four cuts and various set striped patterns allowed), Tovada (arms bands of vine and pandanus, the Heakun (face adornments, comprising black sashes in set patterns and occasionally white dots) and the traditional necklaces of Bagi (shell and seeds). Over 50 young women entered, many selected and proudly prepared hgy their villages. Four women from among the yacht crews were asked to be the judges and headed up by Cairns yacht owner Sue Streeter the women made a difficult decision |
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Its the Five O'clock Ferry to Goolawa- 6th October 2008After the festivities of the Misima Showcase Weekend many had travelled across Misima Island from the north coast village of Goolawa. The catamaran "5:00 Somewhere" (named after one of Jimmy Buffets tunes, a yachties anthem) decided to take the villagers back by yacht and some 29 passengers boarded for a sea trip around from Misima to their island. |
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Misima Pem Pewa- 6th October 2008The Misima Community decided that a great way to celebrate the yachties arrival at this small community was to have a Pem Pewa. This is a traditional gift giving with two lines of folk giving one another gifts. For this Pem Pewa the yachties made up one of the lines and the local women the other. With 250 local women ready with the baskets and 50 yachties (Rally boats and a few others in Misima for the weekend), the line was repeated with some yachts providing up to six gifts per yacht crew so that all the local women could complete their Pem Pewa. The yachties were overwhelmed with the generosity of the local women who provided great handicrafts, local fruit and vegetables and carvings all within a beautiful handmade basket carried on their head. There was much mirth as some of the yachties tried to balance these 10-15 kilogram leaden baskets on their heads! The yachties reciprocated with clothes, perfume, soap, kitchen utensils, sewing materials, even tools and other small gifts for the house hold. Tanya on Dancer said she was overwhelmed by the generosity and work that had gone into preparing the gifts for the yachties. |
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Showcase Misima 2008- 5th October 2008The weekend of 3-6 October was to be a slow re-victual and customs clearance... but the local community lead by Keith Parascos would not let the opportunity of 50 plus yachties arriving pass without note... so a major weekend of festivities, "Misima Showcase 2008" was planned. Misima was a thriving community until the closure of the mine which was a major loss to the local economy. However the community got together for a great weekend of traditional dancing, drama, comedy, a combined Sunday church service including beautiful choir singing and gospel dancing, a Pem Pewa and Miss Misima competition (see separate stories) and a spots afternoon. During the formalities of the weekend, Rally Organiser, Guy Chester presented the local Member of Parliament (also deputy Governor of the province and chair of the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority), Mr Gordon Wesley with a certificate of appreciation for both his sponsorship of the Rally and also the Misima Showcase 2008. |
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Blue Lagoon- 2nd October 2008The opportunity catch up with other yachties for a relaxed beach barbeque was taken up by eleven rally yachts who rendezvoused for an afternoon on the beach of Panakuba Island with yachts anchored in the well named Blue Lagoon. A rain shower didn´t deter the yachties who had a relaxed day on the beach. David, a local from nearby Mabiean Islet, arrived in the later afternoon and traded some carvings for t-shirts and other items .. thus carvings not sold by him for Kina at the Bagaman handicraft market were still to provide some return to the carvers. |
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Handicrafts Galore- 1st October 2008The Bagaman Muster was not just dancing and a traditional barbeque (mumu), it also saw a major handicraft market. Yachties purchased the traditional shell necklaces, handbags and mats made of pandanus leaves and many styles of beautiful carvings. |
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Bagaman Cultural Show- 1st October 2008Councillor Joel of Bagaman Island and his committee including Jerry and Chief Gulo put on a wonderful day of local Misima Culture at Bagaman Island. With a welcome sing and then great dancing by the Bagaman School Children, the Bagaman Youth and the Panapompom youth dancing groups the yachties were entertained. After lunch the local elementary school was turned into a handicraft boutique. The late afternoon saw a major event, the opening of the mumu (earth oven) in which there were many types of traditional foods, including a pig. The day can probably be best summed up by the independent yachties on Aeiwa: "We are privileged to be here as we have been cruising the islands for many months and would never have had the opportunity to have such a wonderful experience without the organisation of the Rally." |
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Coral Sea Crossing Completed- 30th September 2008Yesterday marked the end of the Coral Sea Crossing phase of the Rally. With Platinum arriving at Duchateau Islands. In their initial attempt at the crossing with the rally fleet, Platinum broke a forestay, returned to Cairns for repairs and then headed back across the Coral Sea to meet up with the Rally fleet for the Bagaman Muster. Sanctuary was the first boat to complete the Coral Sea crossing, arriving Tuesday evening, just over three days for the passage, although they motored for the last 100 miles in a fading breeze. Zen II, Tenacious, Kooltandra and Passe Partout stopped over at Bouganville reef, which provided some respite from the conditions, although anchoring in the lee of the reef proved difficult. The passage was difficult for some and there were a number of retirements from the rally as yachts headed back into Cairns after a few hours or a after a few days at sea. Seasickness, fatigue and breakages (autopilot, anchor winch, fuel leak and leaking hatches were among the reasons). |
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Quintessence- 30th September 2008Last Thursday afternoon the yacht Quintessence completed its Coral Sea crossing and was entering into the Calvados lagoon at the Duchateau Islands when it struck a reef and the high seas pushed the yacht over the reef crest and up onto the reef flat. By next morning the tide had moved the yacht to near the beach. Immediately the VHF call that a yacht was on the reef came in, Rally yachts went to Quintessence´s aid. Five O´clock Somewhere and Zen II were on site promptly followed by Hadja and then by Catamaran Imagine (who had only just completed their passage). Immediate concerns were for the crew, Chris and Wendy Handbury, they were OK, and then thoughts went to saving the yacht. It was not possible to tow the yacht off the reef flat owing to this area being exposed to a high sea on the windward edge of the reef. The following day the yachts at Duchateau and others returning from Panasia Island helped recover personal effects. Since the grounding, the local fisherman and Councillor have attempted to keep the yacht safe. Lady Bubbly has gone to Duchateau to work with the locals to attempt to ensure the yachts is safe and may be salvaged. Rally yacht, Platinum, who only completed their Coral Sea crossing yesterday were with the locals today to see that Quintessence had been pulled off the beech into the sandy bottom reef flat/lagoon, with enough water at high tide to start the motor. Platinum also provided materials for a fibreglass repair to a crack in Quintessences´ hull. The owner, Chris Handbury is discussing salvage plans with locals and his insurer. |
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Panasia Welcome BBQ- 29th September 2008With the majority of yachts having successfully crossed the Coral Sea they sailed from Duchateau to Panasia. Panasia is a spectacular island of uplifted coral reef making jagged limestone cliffs. The lagoon anchorage is very protected however the entrance into the lagoon is narrow and difficult to determine from seaward. All yachts were guided into the anchorage by rigid inflatables to enter the passage. The local people Mackenzie and John were joined by Councillor Stafford Jubilee and many folk from Brooker Island to create a wonderful BBQ and some trading for handicraft and fruit. The evening included a presentation of small plaques for each yachts bulkhead commemorating their successful Coral Sea crossing. Some "award" plaques were also given out for the shortest passage (whilst Sanctuary claimed this having arrived first, Catamaran Imagine argued for recognition given their return to Cairns to help Shiraz on the first night and then their very quick passage to Duchateau). Orpallieuar won the least motoring prize and Lettin go the most motoring prize. The Yorkeys Knob handicap (having been determined by raffle) was applied to yachts "finish time" (again drawn by raffle ticket) to calculate the "winners" of the passage... results are a closely guarded secret. The "winning" yachts may be identified by a special plaque on their bulkheads (obviously adding value to the yachts value given their superior crusing rally "performance". |
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Giving Something Back- 29th September 2008With the Rally aim being to give something back to the local community, an auction was arranged. Lady Bubbly, in the Louisiades well before the Rally, organised for one of the local canoe builders, Jimmy of Kamatal Island to make a model sailing canoe. This beautiful artefact was auctioned and won for 750 Kina by 5 O´clock Somewhere. Well, then in the spirit of raising money, "5:00" gave the prize handicraft back up for re-auction and then serious bidding was undertaken to reach another winner for 700 Kina by Zenn II. Thus 1450 Kina was raised for the development of a first aid post for Panapompom Island. |
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More Than Just Sailing...- 28th September 2008The Panapompom canoe regatta also saw some serious athletic ability as well with mens, ladies, boys and girls swimming and paddling canoe races. The competition was fierce and saw exhausted smiles by competitors after completing the course in the beautiful lagoon waters between Nivani Island and Panapompom. |
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Panapompom Canoe Regatta- 28th September 2008One of the aims of organising the Rally was to create an annual event which celebrates the traditional sailing canoe of the Louisiades. Whilst there is an annual Canoe festival in Alotau, there is no regular canoe regatta for the Louisiades local canoes. With a huge effort by Millio, his son Ishmael, wife Grace and daughter Julie a new event for the region was born... the annual Panapompom Canoe Regatta. 30 Canoes took part with two divisions. The sailing was as fierce as any international regatta. After a brisk run down the passage between Nivani Island and Panapompom the gybe mark saw coordinated mayhem as a crew member on each canoe ran the leeward edge of their hulls with the huge yard arm to move the tack of the sail from one end of the canoe to the other.. tacking and gybing is performed by changing the direction of the canoes, with the outrigger side always to windward. Cash prizes were awarded, provided by the yachties (from their entry fee and augmented by the local member of the PNG national Parliament, Gordon Wesley´s sponsorship. "My Son" won the less than 5 metre division and "Bobsum" the bigger than 5 metre division. |
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Skull Cave- 27th September 2009Whilst at Panasia, many yachties were taken across the lagoon to little Panasia Island by Mackenzie in a long boat. They climbed up the cliff top above the village to view the skulls and skeletal remains of ancestors buried in small caves. The view from the cliff top was awe inspring and showed the extensive lagoon and labaryinth of passages. While Rally yachties were visiting the skull cave, local cairns yachtie, Chris Mitchell of Lady Bubbly took some tools and parts and repaired the water tank on Little Panasia. |
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Yachts depart for New Guinea!- 20th September 2008With yacht skippers and crew having attended the compulsory skippers briefing and the safety briefing (conducted by the Coast Guard) during the previous week, and skippers having signed their skippers declaration advising of the seaworthiness of their yachts, yachts were ready to go. A very efficient clearing process by Australian Customs saw the "paperwork" side of leaving the country painless. 26 yachts sailed through the sail past at noon! With the Rally not a race, but a cruise in company, there was not start per se, but all skippers of course judge the sailing performance of their own yachts against those nearby. Neville Duncan, a long term member of Yorkeys Knob Boating Club and the local Coast Guard used his motor launch to send off the yachts. The Clubc rear Commodore, Don Cortis took PNG officials out on his yacht Loose Goose to watch the sail past and see off the yachts for their passage across the Coral Sea. Most yachts headed for Grafton Passage, although some elected for the more northerly route of Trinity opening. By Sunset most were well outside the Great Barrier Reef. However just prior to the first evening radio sched one yacht, the smallest, "Shiraz 72" reported some structural damage and water ingress into the hull and that she was heading back to cairns. Catamaran Imagine was the nearest Rally yacht and immediately stood by to offer assistance and accompanied Shiraz back to safe waters near Cairns. Whislt a disappointment that a yachts suffered damage, all skippers were relived at the way the other participants offered assistance and the Rally became a team for the crossing across the Coral Sea! |
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Farewell and Website Launched!- 19th September 2008A fine farewell for the yachts. Before the yachts set off on their passage across the Coral Sea they were farewelled by Yorkeys Knob Boating Club and Papua New Guinea Government Officials. The PNG Consul General, Paul Nerau OBE came to Yorkeys Knob from Brisbane to farewell the yachts. The Consul said that the Louisiades Rally was a very good iniatiative for the local people of the Louisiades, he hoped that the benefits could be spread to other island areas of PNG. Vice Commodore David Lynch and Rear Commodore Don Cortis farewelled the yachts from Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, with Don Cortis advising of the proud history of sailing at Yorkeys and the strong support for Yorkeys first international sailing event. Consul Nerau advised of the sponsorship by the local member of Parliament of the Louisiades, the Honourable Gordon Wesley and then officially launched the Louisiades Rally Website. William Bando, from the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority said that the Louisiades Rally was a great event for tourism to promote PNG generally as well as benefit the local community. The SookSook dancers from Manus provided fine entertainment with traditional dancing to the wooden drums. Guy Chester, the Rally Organiser was thanked by participants who then went back to their yachts for an early evening in readiness for the passage the next day. |
All Crews Attend briefings and Are Ready To Go- 17th September 2008The skippers and at least one crew member for the 26 yachts confirmed for the Louisiades Rally 2008 have attended the Rally briefing and are attending their Safety Briefing today. The briefing included information on the passage, navigation, communications and all the planned events. Australian Customs provided a special briefing to the yachts for the outwards and inwards clearance procedures. Todays Safety Briefing includes a liferaft demonstration, emergency procedures and offshore safety.A Resusitation refresher is also being provided. |
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Strong Entries for Inaugural Yacht Rally to Papua New Guinea- 3rd September 2008There are 26 entries in the inaugural cruising yacht Rally to the remote Louisiade Islands or Papua New Guinea. The Rally is a non-competitive event with an aim of benefiting the local people in the remote island chain to the east of the mainland of New Guinea. The Rally organiser, Guy Chester, said: “The Louisiades are just over 500 nautical miles north east of Cairns, about the same distance as Rockhampton. Yet they are a world away, isolated from the mainland of Papua New Guinea, and with little to support their economy since the closure of Misima Mine, the “Misima” people live a largely subsistence lifestyle and welcome cruising yachts to trade. “The is the first Rally, we took our own yacht to the Louisiades last year to plan the five week event and have arranged events from skull cave visits, to traditional canoe (lakatoi) regattas, school visits and even a traditional sports day.” Guy Chester advised that as well as offering a great landscape and culture for the yachties to experience, the aim is to benefit the local community. “We have support from the Papua New Guinea government and are paying for all events, yachts will trade with the locals for produce and handicrafts. This year our major initiative is to support the two local hospitals and we are taking a wide range of medical supplies, from blood typing equipment, asthma nebulisers, dental equipment, dressings and even a replacement fan for the morgues cooling system! Further the yachties are taking many goods to donate to the schools and villages will be raising a cash donation for the local mission hospital. Yachts are now gathering at Yorkeys Knob and will be seen off by Papua New Guinea Government Officials and the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Commodore on Saturday the 20th of September. The yachts have come from all over Australia and range from a 30 foot, 30 year old yacht to a 57 foot long luxury catamaran. All skippers sign a safety declaration, will be attending safety briefings and have to have completed a qualifying voyage to participate. Guy Chester confirmed that the event is planned to be run annually, provided the host community continue to welcome the yachties |