16th April 2024 to 23rd April 2024
Picton to Opua
From £1850 per person
Deposit 20%. Balance due 12wks before embarkation
A 570nm dash up the NW Coast of New Zealand.
7 nights: 16 - 23 April 2024
Price: From $3,450 AUD / £1,850 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.
There's a lot to see on this 570nm passage from Picton to Opua, New Zealand. Beginning at the largest port in the Marlborough Sounds, we'll set sail into the Cook Strait, then head northwest to round Cape Taranaki, into the Tasman Sea, and then head north to New Zealand's three northernmost capes of Cape Maria van Diemen, Cape Reinga, and North Cape. After that, we'll sail 80nm down the East Coast to Opua in the Bay of Islands.
The weather on the West Coast of the North Island is changeable and we're going to see a variety of sea conditions. There aren't many safe ports and harbors on the passage, so we'll wait for a weather window if bad weather forecast. It's a great way to build up sea miles, experience, and confidence before your first big offshore or ocean passage.
You can fly directly to Blenheim (via Christchurch or Wellington) on or before the 16th of April 2024. Once you get there we’ll show you around the yacht and show you the safety equipment, and we’ll have a crew dinner ashore. We’re planning on leaving (weather permitting) midday on the 17th of April. You can stay onboard when you arrive on the 16th of April, but if you arrive before then, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. The plan is to get to Opua by 22nd of April, and you can fly out of Keri Keri Airport, 30 minutes away by car, by 22nd of April 2024.
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals ashore in Picton and Opua, 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 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.
S/Y Salt Lines
Salt Lines is a 70ft, steel-hulled, 30-ton, ketch-rigged sailing vessel. Built to Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) unlimited survey requirements, she was the second of the Laurent Giles Shipwright 70 class built on Tyneside by AMARC (TES) Ltd in 1990 for the Ocean Youth Trust (OYT). She was launched and named the John Laing by Lady Laing in Poole, UK.
Over her many years of service, she has sailed under multiple names including, “John Laing”, “Yacht Discovery” and most recently “eXXpedition”. Although the name may have changed, what has always been common is every owner has used Salt Lines for true adventure sailing. From sailing around the world, collecting plastic samples with Emily Penn, to exploring Antarctica with the British Army, Salt Lines has done it all.
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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Routine checks of bilges, engine, electrical systems, sails and hardware for preventative maintenance.
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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.
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Multi-day, offshore passage making 24/7 on a significant Category 1 offshore passage.
Picton, New Zealand
Opua, New Zealand
You can fly directly to Blenheim (via Christchurch or Wellington) on or before the 16th of April 2024. Once you get there we’ll show you around the yacht and show you the safety equipment, and we’ll have a crew dinner ashore. We’re planning on leaving (weather permitting) midday on the 17th of April. You can stay onboard when you arrive on the 16th of April, but if you arrive before then, you may need to arrange accommodation ashore. The plan is to get to Opua by 22nd of April, and you can fly out of Keri Keri Airport, 30 minutes away by car, by 22nd of April 2024.
