Tallship Soren Larsen

Thinking of You

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:11:30 GMT

The fronds rattle gently against each other in breeze just heavy enough to cool the skin, ruffle the hair, and give the illusion of swinging movement. You think about the cold beer awaiting you on board, the short tropical evening and dusky tropical night stretching ahead of you, fertile with conversation and good company.

Tiny wavelets who make it past the maze of coral framing the beach lap upon the shore. The coral here is twisted and old, graveyards from thousands of years ago when these pieces of sharp skeleton were deeper out at sea.

Now, they guard beaches similar to these all along the west coast of the Torres islands, rocky sentinels against unwary boats and unwelcome swell.

You wonder what friends and family are doing back home – going to work? Sleeping in? In traffic? On the sofa in front of the TV? At the pub?

More of Heather's view from the Hammock - HERE

Fiji to Vanuatu

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:48:47 GMT

From Fiji to Vanuatu...

"There is something deliciously contrary to the difference between cruising lazily between islands and sailing, gorgeously free, across the vast tracts of ocean between island groups. This voyage, the contrast is made startlingly clear as we ocean-sail between Fiji and Vanuatu, a week at sea sandwiched on either end by easy cruising among the islands of each country..."

Heather tells of the voyage from western Fiji to Vanuatu. Read More..

Virtually Perfect ..

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:45:05 GMT

Virtually Perfect -

In the past people have made models of Soren Larsen - but this is something truly amazing:

Simon B. aka Syd is a UK based animator and digital artist who sailed right round the Pacific with us as Voyage Crew a few years ago. He has built a virtual 3D model of the ship and this is his YouTube trailer :

"Created and rendered in Autodesk Maya. This is just a teaser and I hope in a few months time I shall have the characters running around on deck with the ship in full sail." Syd.

Amazing ..
(Jim will luv this ...!)

Navigating Tonga to Fiji

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:36:36 GMT

Rodger learns sextant lore from Eric the Navigator -

This from the Tonga to Fiji journey.

Read Heathers account an image gallery here..

Its a whale of a tale .

Congratulations...

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:54:54 GMT

Raise a glass -

Congratuations to Jon and Emma who were married on the beach in Darwin recently..

The Soren contingent, Steve, Rosie, Cath, Darren, Miranda, Ameria, Thea were they for the very special beach ceremony and celebration.

South Pacific Solar Eclipse

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:50:53 GMT

South Pacific Solar Eclipse

12 July 2010 - South Pacific Solar Eclipse

Capt Cottier

Solar Eclipse

Foc'sle Eclipse

A total solar eclipse has crossed the South Pacific, with thousands of tourists and scientists gathered on Chile's Easter Island to witness it the BBC reported today.

"It was like being in the stadium at night with artificial light. It was like being in a dark room with a 10-watt bulb," local official Francisco Haoa told AFP news agency.

Further west, sailing away from the Fijian coast towards Vanuatu, crew aboard the NZ Tallship Soren Larsen were also keen to witness this rare event. At noon, Captain Jim Cottier, left, was able to take a sextant sight "with no interference from the moon" .

But below decks in the ship's foc'sle, crew members reported eclipse like phenomena. "It was like being in a dark room with a 10 watt bulb, though not so much like being in a stadium" one of the permanent crew told this reporter.

Chasing the arc of the eclipse with all sail set, including the gaff tops'l, extended the duration of the event, though at 3.03 knots this was 'not discernable' to those on deck.

Nearly everyone agreed that by the end of the 8-12 watch that it was all 'totally eclipsed by lunch' - so full credit goes to the cooks, again.

Scientists were left to analyse the 'tallship effect' seen here, but speculate that this may simply be a bid for Google News rankings.

For more - search for 'Soren Larsen'

Fiji - Yasawa islands

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:52:07 GMT

8 July 2010 - Fiji to Vanuatu voyage
Yasawa Islands western Fiji :

At Manta Ray Pass near Naviti.
Aiming to be at Namara village at Waya to see
our old friends there by tonight.
Jim

Tonga and Tofua, volcano in paradise

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:46:11 GMT

South Pacific pictures and Voyage Logs from Tonga - V311 from Nukualofa to Vava'u.


	Read Bill's account of his Voyage through the Haap'i group of island - and a challenging volcano climb - here		Read Heather's Voyage Log, climbing the highest peak, diving the coral gardens .. Picture Gallery and Log

Arrival Fiji

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:18:21 GMT

21 June 2010

Arrival Fiji - the ship has this afternoon arrived at Levuka on Overlau, the eastern side of Fiji.

They have had a steady sail downwind in 15 knot easterly trades and completed the 470 nautical mile ocean passage in four days. They will stay here until p.m. on the 22nd and then sail south through the lesser visited islands of southern Fiji such as Beqa, left.

In Vavau

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:11:40 GMT

Monday 15th June 2010

Vava'u - northern Tonga.

All Voyage crew safely aboard for the start of this next trip.

The ship is spending until Thursday around the coral gardens and whale grounds of Vava'u, before setting out on the sea passage to Fiji.

and in Sports News

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:00:59 GMT

..this just in:

In sports news, the New Zealand to Tonga beard-growing competition reached its surprising close last night as votes were cast and a winner chosen out of the formidable competition for Best Beard. The best beard is chosen on an all around basis of texture, looks, length, and overall effect. Each woman on board casts her vote (after due serious consideration, of course) and the winner is, of course, the man with the most votes.

Amazingly, on first counting, there was an all-out winner, a surprise for all involved. Though all were skeptical about his seriousness as a competitor, it seems one man has managed to get the best of his peers in a big way, coming from behind to sweep the competition with a whopping TWO votes.

The winner, of the 2010 New Zealand to Tonga Beard-Growing Competition is Will Osman, second cook, and beard-growing extraordinaire!
Though the entire compliment of Soren Larsen's crew was surprised and awed by his amazing win, we cannot help but congratulate him for etching his name in history upon the beard-growing competition board.
Congratulations Will!

Blue Water White Sands

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:50:57 GMT

A blue water passage across the Southern Ocean an a tropical landfall..

Bosun Heather gives us her experience of this first voyage into the South Pacific

"It is an exhilarating, strange moment of confusion when finally the green splash of land colors the horizon. At first, your eye is understandably tricked into thinking it is only another wave, another series of swells not to be bothered with. Soon, however, it becomes apparent that it is indeed a hump of land that breaks up the blissful line of horizon. Tonga hoves into view with much fanfare and excitement – finally, our first Pacific island is in sight. The excitement can only grow as the depthless, pure blue of the ocean gives way to too many shades to count.

We have arrived in Tonga, safe and excited for the pearls of the Pacific stretching out before us, starting with the idyllic lagoons of Tongatapu.

It is here among the crystalline blue waters (blue of every description and hue, blues in turquoises and lapises unseen in the open ocean but bursting in a riot of color around the reefs of Tonga) that we finally taste our first burst of tropical paradise. Beneath the bronzing equatorial sun we dive into waters so clear you can see 20 meters down into the coral-studded depths... "

Tonga - Bligh's suprise

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:24:56 GMT

6th June 2010 - Tonga.

The ship is cruising through the Haap'ai group in central Tonga sailing from Nukualofa and Vavau.

Jim has advised that they have had a very good visit at the island of Tofua (left), where the mutiny aboard the Bounty actually look place on the morning of 28 April 1789.

These would have been the waters in which Bligh and his remaining crew were set adrift in the ship's longboat to commence their epic 3612 n.mile, 47 day voyage west to Batavia/Timor while Christian took the Bounty east to Tahiti. Happily in 2010 Mate Eric gave Jim no such issues and they all went ashore here to the volcanic crater and spent a day exploring the island.

Arrival Nukualofa

Fri, 28 May 2010 12:01:35 GMT

Thurs 28 March 2010

The ship has completed the first voyage back in to the Pacific with her arrival at the Tongan capital. Photos and Voyage Logs are being sent back next week but Purser Ellie's first comments from the tropics give us idea of the excitment on board:

"Beautiful and hot here and we had a fantastic day yesterday.
After clearing customson Tues we had some time within the lagoon surrounding Nukualofa. We went to a little deserted Island with white sands and amazing coral reefs snorkeling and then we headed over to an Island in the evening for a BBQ with Big momma.
We had a beard growing competition this trip amongst the permanent crew and Voyage Crew which we did the award for last night.
Will won much to his delight (it was the sympathy vote) !
A really good way to end a fantastic voyage.
Permanent crew are glad to finally make the Islands as well!"

(Will won?)

24 hrs from Tonga

Mon, 24 May 2010 12:36:34 GMT

"Only, 24 hours from Tonga...." as Gene Pitney almost sang

The ship is nearing her destination of Nukualofa, the Tongan capital, where they should arrive a day or so ahead of schedule tomorrow Tues 25th May. Their last metrological report at 0600 this morning:

Last reported at 2010-May-23 18:00 UTC. Time now 2010-May-23 23:06 UTC.
Position S 23°12', W 173°54.

Wind from 090 at 14 knots

Waves 1.5 meters (5 feet), 2 second period

Barometer 1014.5 mb
Air temperature 24.0 ° C
Dew point 20.5 ° C
Water temperature 24.2 ° C

It looks from the forecast that winds may increase and go northerly during today as a weather front moves across them.

Last Advanced Track Position Report Mobile Name:

SOREN LARSEN :
Time: May 24 10 08:58:00 : Ship's local time (12) (May 23 10 20:58:00 : UTC)
Latitude : 22.53.24S
Longitude: 174.02.24W
Course : 339 deg
Speed : 5.02 knots

The best time..

Wed, 19 May 2010 02:29:27 GMT

Arrived in the email a few days ago:

"Margie and I had the best time ever - the experience was out of this world .
The crew were great, and very good company plus the food was excellent .

I guess we were lucky with the weather .
Thank you for the opportunity , we will both never forget it .

Yours Geoff & Margie Williams".
Victoria, Australia

Geoff and Margie sailed with us this summer
from Auckland to the Bay of Islands.

We're collecting the various comments we've received - if you'd like to add your feedback, with a picture of two, and whatever aspect of the experience surprised or delighted you,
then we'd love to hear from you.

Landfall at Raoul Island

Mon, 17 May 2010 10:43:26 GMT

Tues 18th May 2010

Arrival the Kermadecs - the ship is due there on Tues morning.

Lying some 1000 kilometres northeast of New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands Nature Reserve is the most remote conservation area managed by the NZ Department of Conservation.

Jim aims to spend a day or so here at NZ's most northern outpost, delivering some supplies to the island staff, exploring this volcanic outcrop on the edge of the Kermadec trench, and sorting out a techical issue with the rig.

See DOC's official info here

The ship hasn't called here for several years .. but see
this 2002 gallery from the archives..

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Please contact the office or email escape@sorenlarsen.co.nz for information.]

Off the Map
Some places we sail to are so small that they don't always show up on on Google Maps..
So if you can't see this landfall on the Voyager Tracker map then try going there by

downloading and opening this file in Google Earth .

To see the island in 3D: in the left hand Layers Panel expand the Primary Database layer and make sure 'Terrain' is turned on. Navigation controls are on the right.

Not got Google Earth on your PC? - just download it at http://earth.google.com

Easy Sailing

Sat, 15 May 2010 10:51:10 GMT

Sat, May 15, 2010 at 8:43 PM

SAT PM : EASY SAIL, F4 NW BUT 24H MOTOR SAIL EARLIER,

ALL WELL

ETA RAOUL 18 am.

JIM

Departure for the Pacific

Thu, 13 May 2010 12:56:35 GMT

Thurs 13th Feb 2010

1130 and the ship departs Opua Wharf in the Bay of Islands, having cleared customs.

Its a beautiful morning with clear skies and a light northerly breeze - and they are on their way!

Raise a Glass!

Thu, 13 May 2010 12:04:34 GMT

Wed 12th May 2010

Raise a glass - to Gareth and Gemma!

For today they are married in England..

A large Soren contingent are there to celebrate including Steve and Rosie.

This is a significant year for Soren weddings - in addition the Mr & Mrs Ironmonger there is Matt and Maho and Jon and Emma both getting wire spliced soon.

So - Captain's orders "Splice the mainbrace"