Author: sailawaysarantium

As I’m nearing the end for this incredible year, I find myself reflecting on what I’ve experienced. Form people I’ve met to endless learning about the sea and new places. I’m feeling an immense gratification and I really have to pinch myself from time to time. What I only dreamt about a few years ago, I’m now breathing that energy. I’m seeing those deep colours. I’m feeling that zen…

The week went by quickly as I’m balancing the days with diving, walking, socializing and getting the boat ready for haul-out in Apataki Atoll. I’m going through nooks and crannies; tossing items I have not used and organizing valuable items for easy access. I’m also thinking forward to next year as my plan is to install a few items, such as a new water-maker and possibly more batteries. I have more than enough, however storing energy is so important.

Back to the fun….

This week, I spent most of my time in and under the water. I joined the local dive shop and did a couple of drift dives with tuna, grouper, nurse sharks and various reef sharks. The schools of various fish were incredible to watch and swim amongst. This dive may have been the most incredible dive I’ve ever experienced. Unfortunately, all my underwater videos are downloaded on my computer and this platform doesn’t let me download videos here from my computer. But I do post them on insta and Facebook if you’re interested. Perhaps, I’m not savvvy enough upload them here.

One of the highlights this week has been meeting new people. I have had neighbours from Switzerland, the UK, Sweden and Turkey. In addition, yesterday’s full day of excursion to the south end, I met folks from France, Italy and Australia. Some are temporarily working here as healthcare workers, some on their honeymoon and some celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary!

Yesterday was fun!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DL_hN05SGO58TNuo5SQ2e9OOIW1CLB0K1ebBYE0/?igsh=MXN0MWptb2w0aGhpZg==

Absolutely amazing…

Rolley was last night… 50 m of chain that is floated because of the many small coral heads! Slept okay inbetween checking to make sure we were still attached to the anchor. Waves were 1.5 m and wind howling throughout the night. Some boats were less fortunate.

When I turned on starlink I had an email from JRCC TAHITI, which is the French Polynesian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. The email was regarding a vessel that had broke free from their anchor and asking if we could possibly check in on crew and boat. We are 8-9 nmiles away currently. I sent messages to boats, closer than us, to see if they could assist the vessel aground. It would be very scary to wake up to the anchor breaking off and ending up on shore in the middle of the night.

It’s good to know that authorities here, relay messages to vessels in the vicinity of people in need of assistance.

This morning the wind direction has changed! I knew this shift was forecasted, as I had been checking it and hoped to go to the south pass anchorage for some shark diving. The south pass works well in a south and south eastern wind, however in a north and west wind the fetch would be too much in this atoll. Yesterday, because of numerous coral heads all around us and therefore chain was getting hooked in a few places, I decided to move the boat where more sand and less coral heads were present. This meant moving the boat in towards the beach. The boat only draws 4.6 feet below water line so shallow works well for Sarantium.

When I woke up this morning, I could see the bottom clearly, with 4 feet of water under the keel. Hmmmm…. 😳

To move or not to move..

I looked at the chart, calculated the depth and the possible swing radius in case the wind shifted from north to north-west. The forecast predict a north wind only. And tide is already a low tide… I should be fine! However, to be sure I decided to bring a bit of chain in so in case we swing more, we do not move much closer to land. Today I’ll be monitoring the wind and our position along with cleaning, bake bread and organizing my packing for Tahiti, New Zealand and Europe! Wind Shift and Life Shift!

30 minutes after I wrote this… I checked the forecast again and it had changed … now predicting a westerly wind in the middle of the night… so I decided to pull anchor and move. Within 10 minutes of moving a rain cloud appeared and wind direction shifted to a westerly. All boats in the anchor pointed straight west and Sarantium motored away from land! She’s now in a safer spot in 10 metres of water and with less fetch! Never a dull moment!

As I’m nearing the end of this sailing season, I’m cleaning and organizing the boat for dry storage! In between snorkeling and walking on the beach, I’m going through every inch of the boat, tossing stuff and wiping surfaces to prevent mould to grow while away. Clothing I never wear, books I’ve read, Knick Knacks I have enjoyed but no longer do, expired paperwork and making lists of what needs TLC!

And then a lovely dinner at Laiza’s place! Raw Tuna Salad (my absolute all-time fave) in coconut milk, home baked coconut bread, Mahi Mahi and pommes frites and crêpes with local honey and lime!

Today, I am purchasing a NEW outboard motor, online and arranging it to be delivered to Apataki Atoll by the ship that stops at every Tuamotus with goods.

I’m also connecting with boat yards in New Zealand for December of 2026 to line up trades people to help with upgrades for sailing season 2027! Seems like Whangārei and Marsden Point are a “one stop” boatyards where it all gets done! As well, New Zealand is an attractive stop for sightseeing and land travel!

Sailing is coming to an end….