26th March 2024 to 7th April 2024
Marlborough Sounds & Abel Tasman New Zealand
From £3900 per person
Deposit 20%. Balance due 12wks before embarkation
7 nights: 26 March - 07 April 2024
Price: From AUD $7,250 / £3,900 per person
*Trips are priced in the operator's local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.
The Category 3 cruise is set in the Marlborough Sounds, D’Urville Island and Abel Tasman cruising grounds and spans the top of the South Island, providing fun sun-filled days of exploration and adventure. It starts in the waterfront port of Picton, where we will depart from the Picton Marina and head out into the Queen Charlotte Sound for our first overnight stop.
We’ll assess the weather forecast as a crew and create an expedition plan that includes selecting from anchorage options across the Queen Charlotte Sound, Tory Channel, Pelorus Sound, Kenepuru Sound, D’Urville Island and Golden Bay. We’ll explore a selection of bays, sounds and islands during the 13 days, while providing for ample time to enjoy water and shore-based activities.
You can fly directly into Blenheim or Picton on the 25th of March 2024 or early on the 26th. Our crew will officially assemble at 10am on the 26th of March at the Picton Marina and we will aim to depart as soon as we complete the yacht familiarisation and safety training process and head for our first of our overnight anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 25th of March, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 15th , you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
Our plan is to return to Picton Marina by 2pm on the 7th of April 2024 and you can plan to depart out of the Picton Ferry Terminal / Picton Airport or Blenheim Airport (a 35 minute car ride from the marina) later the same day.
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals and any stopover ports, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. You will need to complete either a 5-hour online or 2-day classroom-based Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent prior to departure.
Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD
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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).
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Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.
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Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.
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Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
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Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
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Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
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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.
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Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
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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.
Blenheim or Picton, New Zealand
Blenheim or Picton, New Zealand
You can fly directly into Blenheim or Picton on the 25th of March 2024 or early on the 26th. Our crew will officially assemble at 10am on the 26th of March at the Picton Marina and we will aim to depart as soon as we complete the yacht familiarisation and safety training process and head for our first of our overnight anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 25th of March, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 15th , you will need to arrange accommodation ashore.
Our plan is to return to Picton Marina by 2pm on the 7th of April 2024 and you can plan to depart out of the Picton Ferry Terminal / Picton Airport or Blenheim Airport (a 35 minute car ride from the marina) later the same day.
