The Wynns (S/V Curiosity) are stranded in Fiji

More details in their blog posting and YouTube video (below)
https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/stranded-fiji

Perhaps the best way to check for their latest news would be on their Twitter or Facebook page:

• https://twitter.com/the_wynns
• https://www.facebook.com/GoneWithTheWynns 

A good source for monitoring developments in Fiji

• https://twitter.com/FijiOneNews
• https://twitter.com/TourismFiji
• https://twitter.com/FBC_News 
• https://twitter.com/FijiAirways

This is my posting on LinkedIn (screen shot below, from 2020-03-30) - trying to leverage my international professional network of 2,620 connections to find someone in Fiji that might be able to help them.

While they are currently renting out an AirBnB - there is no way to know how long they may be stranded - so looking for possible local resources that might be able to offer them more affordable (free?) accommodations - should the port closures go far beyond what any of us may think likely...




2020-04-10 - Cyclone Harold hits Solomons, Vanauatu, Fiji, Tonga:

• "The most powerful storm to develop in the South Pacific basin in more than two years," 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Harold
• https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/powerful-cyclone-hits-solomons-vanuatu-fiji-tonga/
• https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/413890/close-to-70-percent-of-vanuatu-s-luganville-destroyed-by-cyclone-harold
• https://sailinganarchy.com/2020/04/09/flip-the-script/

    

Suggested Nautical-Themed Movies

Comedy:

Captain Ron

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103924/ 

Adventure/Dramatic

White Squall

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118158/

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/

Guns of the Black Witch

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055517/

Captain Jack

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163006/

Ulysses

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047630/

The Boat Builder

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3704854/
• https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Builder-Christopher-Lloyd/dp/B079G5PJWN/ 

Historical/Documentary

Admiral

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2544766/

Morning Light

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1198405/

Alone Against the Tasman

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1783238/
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0MW3B1YN2JOFTEFJ4BNC47PAIZ/
• http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3446703/Rower-Shaun-Quincey-ends-epic-journey 
• https://www.celebrityspeakers.co.nz/speakers/shaun-quincey

The Last Adventure of the Gandul

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6394244/
• https://www.amazon.com/Last-Adventure-Gandul-Casa-Producciones/dp/B07T3J5RD5

Racing Around the World Alone

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825928/

Following Seas

• https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7320324/
• https://www.amazon.com/Following-Seas-Tyler-J-Kelley/dp/B075FX7MGD/

Barefoot across the Atlantic

• https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-across-Atlantic-Andre-Kurreck/dp/B06XKPH3TC/

More...

Additional movie suggestions on these sites:

• https://www.facebook.com/AmericanSailingAssoc/posts/10156828628308204
• https://asa.com/news/2020/03/26/the-best-sailing-movies/
• https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2020/03/23/best-movies-to-watch-during-quarantine/
• https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2020/03/24/more-movies-to-watch-during-quarantine/ 

Latitude38 Updates on Some Pacific Port Closures (#2)

Andy Turpin in today's Latitude38:
https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/2020/03/23/#this-is-not-the-year-to-sail-to-tahiti

"...an increase in COVID-19 cases on Tahiti has caused French Polynesian authorities to implement drastic policies toward both land-based and maritime visitors. And most other island nations in the region have closed their doors to visitors also until the COVID threat subsides."

Carol Hass - Legendary Sailmaker - 26 ft Nordic Folkboat

Latitides & Attitudes 2019-2020 Issues Free Online

https://latsatts.com/shelter-in-place-free-access-for-2019-20-issues-of-lats-atts/

In Stephen R. Donaldson's excellent set of trilogies for "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant", there is a character, "Saltheart Foamfollower" (one of the few remaining Giants in The Land - and who are a seafaring race, by the way) that introduces the phrase: "Joy is in the ears that hear" - meaning that the sharing of tales is a source of joy (even if the tales themselves may not all be happy ones).

In this time of woe - while you (or a friend or loved one) may be feeling isolated - and looking for something to read that might lift your spirits - the publisher, "Bob Bitchin", of the sailing magazine "Latitudes & Attitudes"- has made all of the 2019-2020 issues of their magazine free to read online. 

Pour yourself a cold frosty beverage, or a heart-warming hot one - and escape into the world of sailing adventures (and, misadventures). Perhaps one of the tales in those pages may stir your imagination and spark the desire to one day make your own voyage upon the oceans of the world to distant lands, islands, and ports.

Latitude38 Updates on Some Pacific Port Closures

https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/2020/03/16/#getting-away-from-it-all-aint-what-it-used-to-be

"The government of Ecuador has just closed all entries to the country, by land, sea and airports. No one will be able to enter the country or arrive in Galapagos in any way."

" ‘Yesterday Panama closed its marinas to new arrivals and immigration was closed for both arrivals and departure, and no zarpes are being issued."

"As of today, the Cook Islands have closed to yachts through June 30, 2020. It also includes air travel restrictions and a 14-day self-quarantine requirement"

S/V Far Reach

Today, while researching propane locker ideas - I happened across the web sites for S/V Far Reach (1982 Cape Dory 36 Hull #61) - and the excellent article of their approach/solution. A great story - and some great writing. The level of detail in the refit project articles is very much appreciated.

Their project/refit

• http://www.farreachvoyages.com/
• http://www.farreachvoyages.com/beforeafter.html

Their sailing adventures

• https://farreachvoyages.net/

Rare Crevice Corrosion Example

There are some other interesting videos on his YouTube channel: Ben sutcliffe marine surveys Sutcliffe-Davies

Pandemic Preparations

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

source: https://unsplash.com/photos/DKix6Un55mw

Made a run to start building-up a 30-day emergency food supply today (most of the food I bought won't expire until 2022, or late 2021) - these are in addition to the emergency supplies I stored aboard last year (as part of my earthquake/tsunami preparedness).

In a few days, I'll do a shock-treatment of the boat's water supply system - and add 10-15 gallons of diesel to the fuel tank - and then replenish the 4 x 5 gallon spare jugs I carry on deck (for a total of ~50 gallons, or 600-800 miles motoring-only range)

Will also pick-up two additional propane tanks - and order a backup camping stove.

Later this week, I'll finish rewiring the mast - and will work on re-installing the sails.