New Caledonia or Vanuatu Yacht Minders

[Sunnygirl]

We're sailing to New Caledonis and surrounds for the remainder of Winter. Any ideas where to leave a 12.5M cat if we go back to Aus for a few weeks. Marina's, minders, individuals companies?

[savoir]

There are moorings in the inner harbor in Port Vila. They are operated by the owner of the fuel dock which you can see over to port at the far end of the inner harbor seawall. As you approach the town turn to starbord into the inner harbor. Don't cut the channel markers whatever you do. Look for the row of charter fishing boats.

If you want anything done contact Sam Bell. He's only a Kiwi but don't hold that against him.

Kaleva Yachting Services Vanuatu (KYS) - Contact us here in Port Vila.

There are no marinas in Vila.

[Sunnygirl]

cheers for that, the main concerns are security and someone trustworthy to look out for it, is that well assured? Plus checking the batteries have maintained charge. WA's is full of Kiwis, grown to rely on them actually, Thanks Mike.

[savoir]

Sam's house is only about 200m from the moorings. Send him an email and ask.

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Sunny,

In New Cal, both marina Moselle and marina Sud will have berths available for transients. Many folks leave boats for a few weeks (or more) in those locations. Security is not usually a problem in our experience.

Costs are likely to be higher than a mooring in Vila, but security is better and travel to Oz possibly cheaper.

Cheers,

Jim

[Sunnygirl]

Hi Jim
Thanks for that, is there any particular paper work require to enter NC?
Reference is made to: - The "acte de francisation" or "carte de circulation"!!??
Cheers, Sunny, Tessa & Mike

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Sunnygirl

Hi Jim
Thanks for that, is there any particular paper work require to enter NC?
Reference is made to: - The "acte de francisation" or "carte de circulation"!!??
Cheers, Sunny, Tessa & Mike

G'Day SS,

No, entry into NC is the easiest around. All you need is your outward clearance from last port... and they are less demanding of that document than many places. As you approach Noumea, call Marina Moselle on VHF 67 and announce your impending arrival...maybe 30 minutes ahead of time. As you pass the marina breakwater, call again for berth assignment. They'll meet you and help tie up, escort you to the office with your boat papers. After registering with them, they'll give you a fistful of papers to fill out and notify officials for you. The immies and quarantine will usually show up pretty soon and do their thing. Customs may or may not ever show up. If they don't arrive within 2 hours, you are home free. There are no fees exacted!!! Generally a pleasant experience. Oh, they also shout you and your crew a free drink at the local pub. Not bad!

It is even OK to anchor before entering, IF you fly the Q flag and do not put a dinghy in the water and then proceed the next day to Noumea. Do not try and stretch this privilege -- they have daily snooping flights around all the nearby anchorages, and they will catch you out.

Have a good time there... one of our all time favorite cruising grounds.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann

[Sunnygirl]

Jim, well done, thanks, really useful, we depart Qld. Southport Monday! We have a few weeks in NC then leave Sunny in Noumea for a few weeks and return by air to explore more - then - either sail to NZ or back to Aus for summer.
Q, What do you suggest as introductory NC cruises?
Cheers again
Regards
Mike and Tessa.
PS what's your current plan?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Sunnygirl

Jim, well done, thanks, really useful, we depart Qld. Southport Monday! We have a few weeks in NC then leave Sunny in Noumea for a few weeks and return by air to explore more - then - either sail to NZ or back to Aus for summer.
Q, What do you suggest as introductory NC cruises?
Cheers again
Regards
Mike and Tessa.
PS what's your current plan?

G'Day Mike & Tessa,

First, I assumed that you will be travelling on Aussie passports. You guys, and most others, are granted 90 days on your simple entry visa, issued on arrival. If per chance you are on Yank p/p, you only get 30 days. Must have been something we said...

Anyway, the canonical cruise for newbies in NC is Noumea-B. de Prony-Il de Pins and back via the southern lagoon. This is easy, and I-de-P is truly beautiful (if a bit touristy). You will find that of the 400 +/- boats that arrive in NC each year, 90% never leave Noumea. Of the 10% that do venture out, 90% do the above circuit. This means that the rest of NC is little visited, and if some seclusion and some non-touristy exploring is your thing, going north from Noumea is rewarding. Even better is to circumnavigate Grande Terre, spending some time in the very seldom visited Northern lagoon and the Belep group of islands. Expect to take 6+ weeks to do the circuit.

There is a cruising guide available in both book and DVD format. If you don't already have it, can be bought on arrival at Marina Moselle. The DVD version is well done, but a bit pricey. If you use CM93 charts, you will find that recent issues are quite complete and very accurate. Paper charts are available in NOumea.

Our plan??? Well, we're in the States now... Ann is recovering from having titanium knees installed, and the time line isn't well defined. Hope to be back aboard in the spring, and if she is seaworthy enough we'll head for Tassie for the summer, then likely back to NC the following winter. Our plans at best are written in the sand at low water...


Cheers and have a great sail to NC and enjoy the place.

Jim and Ann