Kia Ora

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Trainee day is upon us. A new crew, elected from amongst the trainees, has taken over the running of the ship for 24 hours. They’ve come up with a great plan and are executing it well. The cooks have produced a yummy breakfast, the navigators have plotted a course to the set destination, the engineers are managing all the systems, and the mates and captain are leading and advising the rest of the crew. We love seeing how much each person has learnt and how they can work together to achieve a common goal.

Safely anchored off Rangipukea Island

As we set the sails, we waved farewell to Aotea (Great Barrier Island) - thanks for having us.

Our destination was Coromandel, a full day’s sail away, so we settled in and enjoyed the movement of the waves beneath the ship, the sound of the wind, and each other’s company. A short nap on deck in the afternoon helped recharge our batteries as we head towards trainee day.

Safely anchored in Coromandel Harbour

Climbing to the top of the mast and sailing the luggers (small sailing boats) were activities the trainees conquered today - big achievements and big smiles all round. There was also some time for chillin' out, writing in diaries, and of course enjoying a midday swim.

In the evening, they paddled ashore to Smokehouse Bay and had dinner around a campfire. The stars are so vibrant out here without the light pollution, so paddling back in the dark feels quite magical.

Exploring an island was the brief for today. The rafts were launched, loaded, and paddled over to Kaikoura Island. From there, we trekked along a ridgeline to a stunning lookout with views out over the Hauraki Gulf. We returned via a different track through the bush and a grove of pūriri trees, stopping along the way to observe the birdlife.

A refreshing sunset swim and yard swing were in order to wash away the mud and ease the muscles after the walk. Swinging off the side of the ship into the sunset is one of those truly memorable moments.

The roast lamb dinner and cheesecake dessert were absolutely devoured!

We plan to remain at Aotea tomorrow and continue exploring this beautiful part of New Zealand.

Still anchored at Smokehouse Bay

On the ship there are four different sail stations to take charge of, and today the trainees completed their rotation through them all as they continued building their understanding of how to harness the wind to propel the ship through the water. Each trainee also has the opportunity to lead their watch, organising the team whether for sailing, cleaning, or going ashore.

After an excellent day of sailing, we struck the sails and headed off to explore a cave by raft. There was also an awesome rock-jumping spot, providing the perfect opportunity for trainees to challenge themselves, step a little outside their comfort zones, and have a lot of fun in the process.

It was a big day, and although we didn’t reach our new anchorage until after dark, everyone was buzzing with a real sense of achievement.

Safely anchored in Smokehouse Bay

Sailing to the other side! That was the mission for the day. Hauling the anchor, setting the sails, steering the ship, learning chartwork, tacking the ship while sailing at 7 knots past Hauturu (Little Barrier Island), and learning about megaflora and the oceans around us - all while travelling 46 nautical miles. After all the mahi and akoranga, we arrived at Aotea (Great Barrier Island) and found a beautiful anchorage at Katherine Cove on the northwestern side of the island, where we stowed the sails and settled in for a yummy dinner of lamb chops, vegetables, and rocky road dessert. Our cook is looking after us incredibly well! We rounded off the evening with a fun and raucous game of Play-Doh Pictionary.

We took the ship out for a sail today, with each watch of 10 trainees setting a few sails and working together to harness the wind and get the ship moving beautifully through the water. We also had our first go at tacking the ship and were very successful. Bella even got to steer the ship - just like a pirate!

In the afternoon we returned to anchor off Motuora Island and launched the rafts for an expedition ashore. Jackson summed it up best: “A pretty good day!”

While ashore we played beach games, including building sandcastles, had dinner together, and then headed off after dark in search of kiwi. Paddling back to the ship in the dark was extra special, with a small amount of bioluminescence glowing in the water around us.

Our first full day on the ship was a great one - packed with learning, forming friendships, and plenty of fun. In the morning we had our first swim of the voyage followed by a hearty breakfast. Then it was time to clean the ship before learning how to climb the rigging safely and handle ropes. This set us up for an afternoon of sailing as we made our way to another lovely anchorage off Motuora Island. There was even time for another fun swim before the sun went down. The joy of life aboard the ship is already shining through.

Voyage 943 has begun! The trainees boarded the ship this afternoon and, after completing their safety tours, got stuck into the mahi of loading all the food onboard and readying the ship for our 10 days at sea. We threw off the mooring lines at 1700 and headed out of the harbour to Motuihe Island, where we set the anchor and enjoyed a yummy dinner before settling into an evening activity designed to help everyone get to know each other a little better. We're looking forward to a peaceful first night’s sleep onboard.