Land Ahoy!!!

Tasman Sea, (Lat 40 17S, Lon 171 55E), Course 72 degrees (compass)
(48 miles west of Farewell Spit)

Monday 3 February 2020

Nine days out of Westernport, as the New Zealand coastline looms ever closer, and the cloud-filled horizon spreads away to the south, it was inevitable that land would be sighted soon.

“We must be able to see some high peaks in that cloud somewhere?” I announced. And before long, the faint outline of the Tasman Mountains, including 1600m high Mt Domett, could be seen below the clouds, marking the north west corner of the South Island.

Land had indeed been sighted. It was official.

Meanwhile, on board, the well-established late afternoon routine continued, with the weather still being conducive to drinks and nibbles in the cockpit. This was followed by the arrival of dolphins on the bow, where we all then gathered to gawk over the side and take the obligatory selfie shots.

Having successfully notified NZ Customs a couple of days ago of our anticipated arrival in Picton on Wednesday morning (5/2), using the “Advanced Notice NZCS340 Form”, I have now started tackling the additional paperwork, including “Inward Report C18 Form”, “Masters Declaration For Full Biosecurity Clearance” and “Masters Declaration” forms. Each crew member will also need to complete a Passenger Arrival Form when we tie up, just like on the aeroplane.

To ensure I can demonstrate Chimere has a clean bottom, I have a selection of photos from her recent slipping, plus signed letters of “hull cleanliness” from selected tradespeople back at Hastings. All of whom worked on Chimere and can vouch for her condition within the past 30 days. It’s quite a process. Just glad I’m not in charge of the Dawn Princess!

Despite putting our clocks forward two hours, to be in sync with New Zealand, last night’s watches came and went as normal. One additional curved ball, however, was that, unbeknown to us, the built-in clock on the chart plotter made the time-change automatically. So, for a while we were adding two hours to the already added two hours, making for confusion, particularly when the sun refused to show itself at the “usual” time this morning?! Makes you wonder if we were all safe to go to sea at all in the first place doesn’t it??!!

With this Delivery Leg to Picton almost complete, it’s been fascinating, quite apart from a great relief, to see how Chimere’s small band of six, have come together as a supportive team over the past 10 days. Apart from John and I, we were all strangers – to Chimere and each other – when we stepped aboard at Hastings. But our diverse skills and experiences have given us a breadth of capabilities to tackle everything from IT communication issues to engine-fault troubleshooting; quite apart from cooking, sailing, cleaning, plumbing, carpentry, watch-keeping and navigation.

It’s now, 9:30pm (NZ time). We are closing in on a point 5 miles off Farewell Spit, and from there we will head further east to round Stephens Island, Cape Jackson and the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound. In daylight hours we will set a course into the Marlborough Sounds, towards Picton, anchoring first to rest for the night in, or around Ship Cove (nowhere near Ship Creek you’ll be pleased to know). We’ll be sure to fly our yellow “Q” flag and not go ashore, saving that for the official “encounter” mid-morning on Wednesday.

Smooth seas fair breeze and Land Ahoy!!!

Rob Latimer