Hikianalia Report: Oct 9, 07:42 HST (2012-10-09 17:42 UTC/GMT)

A slow, peaceful night of sailing gave the crew a chance to get to know our new canoe without the added challenges of strong wind or bad weather.  Everyone is doing a good job of getting used to steering, handling lines and performing their many other chores while bundled up in thick coats, multiple layers of long thermal undies, gloves and boots. It is quite a bit colder at these southern latitudes than the tropical waters where we normally sail.  Late afternoon bathing using cold, green seawater is certainly invigorating!

A good number of common dolphins swam with Hikianalia for about half and hour last night.  Their loud exhalations alerted us to their presence and we enjoyed watching them swim with us.

Dolphins often swim with the canoes. Photo: Na’alehu Anthony (PVS archives).

This morning, we are about 5 nautical miles from Channel Island in the Colville Channel, between Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula.  This is our exit from Hauraki Gulf and New Zealand into the Pacific Ocean. Next stop, Papeete.

Voyaging Data

position: 36.4369 S 175.2068 E (corrected 10/9 HST)

course: 055 degrees True

speed: 3.0 knots

weather: slight overcast

wind: light and  variable

sea state: calm

vessel and crew condition:  all ok (Faafaite also)

Education Data

Celestial Observations, Navigation Stars, Planets and Moon Phases: Lots of stars through the night.  Bruce taught us pointer stars for the cardinal directions.  Visible last night: Mars, Saturn, Ka Makau Nui O Maui (Scorpius), Hanaiakamalama (Southern Cross), the Navigator’s Triangle and plenty more.

Beautiful sunrise happening now.

Animal Life:  A good number of common dolphins swam with Hikianalia for about half and hour last night.  Their loud exhalations alerted us to their presence and we enjoyed watching them swim with us.

Sea Birds and Sea Life: Gulls, Boobies, etc.

Marine Debris: None observed