Dear Friends

Tiama’s maiden voyage was great, the boat did really well and we managed to achieve all our objectives.  This included a first recorded (not so easy) landfall on Cheeseman island collecting geological specimens for the  Auckland Museum, for the purpose of dating the islands.

We also delivered some cargo and mail to the NZ Department of Conservation  (DOC) personnel stationed on Raoul Island, the Northern most of the  Kermdacs. TVNZ, who was on board in the form of Bruce Adams captured the work being done by DOC and their volunteers who are trying to rid the Islands of introduced weeds, cats and rats. Raoul has a remarkable boat  launching and cargo loading and unloading system using what must be the world’s biggest and best flying fox.

The Kermadec islands are  small volcanic islands sticking out in the middle  of the Pacific and even on a nice day there is a big sea swell on a cliff  faced and rocky coast, not appealing for boat landings But a good time was  had by all onboard.

Now its full on preparations for the Southern Ocean crossing (leaving NZ November 1) and rounding Cape Horn to station ourselves in Ushuaia Argentina) in preparation for a January 2 departure to the Antarctic Peninsula acting as the logistical support vessel to a party of 6 Australian Mountaineers who will attempt to climb Pilchner peak (another  first), should be fun