Burnetts Ahoy
A blog by nerds afloat.
We are absolutely delighted to be in New Zealand! The people have been so welcoming here, and the Bay of Islands Marina and Boatyard is top notch! We have never seen such a pristine marina and boatyard! In the evenings we wander around just staring at the facilities, as if we have arrived on a different planet. The social scene amongst cruisers rivals Shelter Bay. Mel is composing a quick vid of our first days here so you know what we’re talking about!
But first, back by popular demand: the video of Mel, aboard her boat devoid of invasive species below the waterline after three days of bottom scrubbing, protecting New Zealand’s biodiversity more than 12 nautical miles away from land!
(Mel is less sensitive after a couple nights of not having to be awake for watch from 12-3 am. Also, she found out she can delete negative comments. Hooray!)
Jerry has arrived in New Zealand! Resting for now. I just took down a post of my disposing of food at sea. The good ocean scientists of New Zealand, and MARPOL, have deemed it perfectly legal to dispose of unminced biodegradable foodstuffs when more than 12 nautical miles offshore (I was 75 nm out at the time and in a region of countercurrent). As someone who is not an oceanographer or decomposition scientist, I admit I did not question this. I apparently generated angry emojis by recording my glee at exercising this freedom, and I don’t have a lot of bandwidth at the moment for negativity, and so I took it down.
This blog should not be mistaken for an instructional site. It is solely a documentation of our journey and experience. The angry emoji people made some good points, but I respectfully disagree that disposing of a little food at sea within designated parameters is wrong.
I have had 3 hours of sleep. Good night.
Day 6 Tonga to New Zealand. Less than 200 nautical miles to go! All we have left to do is contribute to the Great Pacific Pork Belt and do a second sweep of the boat to ensure that we are not harboring any dangerous pasta salad.
WTF? you may ask. This behavior was prompted by rules made by the Ministry for Primary Industries, which runs biosecurity for NZed. To clear in, you must comply with hundreds of rules regarding what you cannot import. Chiefly, no pork or fresh fruit and veggies. And specifically, pasta salad?? Must.Learn.Story.
Mel is pretty sure that the sharks have gotten word of this, and, in Sharkland, The Great Pacific Pork Belt is a well-known phenomenon. This is where cruisers dump their contraband. Although it pains her to waste food, and she has always abhorred littering, Mel is looking forward to the weird dopamine hit you get from hurtling things into the sea.
Distance in 24 hrs: 169 nm. We are motoring now as the winds have died.
Dinner: homemade spaghetti and meatballs. 🍝
Entertainment: Reading MPI’s website and imagining how they came up with all those rules — was there a “mooncake” task force? #hungryforpastasalad
