Picton to Auckland, New Zealand / 590 Nm / 16 – 24 Apr 2024

You can fly directly into Blenheim (via Christchurch or Wellington) on or before the 16th of April 2024. When you arrive we’ll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment and you will join us for a crew dinner ashore. Our crew will officially assemble on the 17th of April and we will aim to depart (subject to weather) after midday when we will depart the Waikawa Marina and head to our first stopover anchorage or port on our passage north. You are welcome to stay onboard from the date you arrive, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 16th of April, you may arrange accommodation ashore. Our plan is to sail into Auckland by the 23rd of April and you can plan to depart out of Auckland airport, 30 minutes by car from the CBD on or after the 24th of April.

Here is what you will experience onboard:

• Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather)
• Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls
• Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination
• Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s
• Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance
• Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication
• Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures
• Training in the use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions
• Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard
• Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan
• Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage

Read the blog articles published by Lena Padukova after her 2019 Trans-Tasman on Ocean Gem.

Your crew package includes:

• all meals onboard
• meals ashore in Picton, Auckland and at stopovers en route
• accommodation onboard
• your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt
• marina fees
• the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether
• your bedding, a pillow and towel is also included along with suncream.

Your crew package excludes:

• accommodation ashore
• meals ashore in arrival port
• flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports and visas
• alcohol
• toiletries
• clothing and wet weather gear

Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of the trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.