VUDA POINT, FIJI TO ANEITYUM, VANUATU

Sewptember 9-13, 2013

We departed Vuda Point Marina at 1200 hrs enroute to Anelghowat (20-14.8' S; 169-43.6 E), Aneityum, Vanuatu: distance 476 nm.  The old name for Vanuatu was New Hebrides.  It was changed to the original name after independence in 1980.  The Trade Winds were blowing from the SE at 15-20 kts.  Our course was 237 deg. so this gave us a good angle for sailing and we were averaging around 7.0 kts under a reefed mainsail and jib.  The first two days out were pleasant but we had a fairly big swell from the SE.  On the third day the winds started to go light and we dropped off to about 4.5 kts.  About 40 nm from Aneityum the wind died out completely so we ended up motoring the final 40 nm and arrived off Anelghowat at 0500 hrs in the morning of September 13th.  We  laid ahull until first light and then motored into the quarantine anchorage and dropped anchor at 0730 hrs on Friday September 13th.

In general, sailors are suspicious of Fridays the 13ths.  If we have a choice, we don't set out on a voyage on that date unless it is absolutely necessary.  This was an ending voyage but the 13th jinxed the checking in process.  I put up the yellow quarantine flag after dropping anchor and waited on Customs, Immigration and Health.  I called many times on the VHF Channel 16 radio but received no reply.  By the afternoon, it was obvious that they weren't coming to the boat so we launched the dinghy and went searching them out.  When I got to the police station, it was closed.  What to do?  so  I talked to some people living nearby and they told me that he police officer had gone East to another village and wouldn't return until the evening.  Returned to the boat and waited until the following day which was Saturday.  Once again, I went into the village and inquired about the Customs officer and was told that he was on the beach.  OK, I found him sitting in the sand and watching some others fishing.  After identifying him and giving our boat name, I was informed that they don't check-in vessels on the weekend.  If not, could we walk around the town?  He said " yes" no problem.  We made an appointment to come in at 0800 hrs on Monday for the clearance.

Monday at 0700 hrs we were in front of the police station waiting on the officer.  There were two other cruisers that had made appointments.  A cruise ship was due to arrive that day and our man didn't show at the appointed time but took off in a boat for "Mystery Island" where all the Australian passengers go from the cruise ship.  Later in the day, we tracked him down on "Mystery Island" and got the clearance paper to sail for the island of Tanna.   Anelghowat is just a small village with one grocery store and a schoolhouse but not much else: we sailed out on at 0530 hrs for the island of Tanna (19-31.5' S; 169-29.8' E)