September 27: Anchor Watches on Hikianalia

By Hikianalia Watch Captain Mike Taylor

Two additional crew members, Gary Yuen and Saki Uchida, arrived a couple of days ago. We got them settled then headed for Hikianalia to train them on what we have learned about this terrific canoe.

We began anchor watches, with Kealoha Hoe’s watch having the honor of first ever to sleep aboard.

First night on Hikianalia! Kealoha preparing saimin for dinner.

The next night was Maka’s gang and, finally, my turn came.

I had a great evening learning my way around at night. The best part was uninterrupted time to tend to some of my kuleana:  mounting the EPIRB, GPS and other electronics; installing a rain/splash protector for the batteries; etc.  I was really happy and feeling good around midnight and unrolled my sleeping bag against the cold night air.  If only I hadn’t decided to make a check of the electrical system!  All the red lights and the large black (empty) battery icon for the starboard system was not good!

After an hour and a half of checking the system from A to Z, shutting everything down and rebooting, etc. – and many emails back and forth with the designer in the Netherlands – we found another electrician had left some sensors unplugged and others misrouted.  At last we saw what we were looking for.  So all is well on Hikianalia and we are enjoying many learning experiences with Hokule’a’s sophisticated younger sister.

Magnus Danbolt, Frank Kane, and I were able to fill Hikianalia’s last electronic need, the Automated Identification System (AIS), which helps vessels at sea to see each other and communicate.

Left to right: Mike Taylor, Jonathan Gravit, Magnus Danbolt, and Frank Kane at the Auckland Boat Show.

We went to the Auckland Boat Show and our friend, Jonathan Gravit (second from left) Managing Director of Safety at Sea, which has provided all our safety gear, helped guide us to the right system.