Sailing Chepenehe LOYALTY ISLANDS

Impi is sailing around the world. Here we are in New Caledonia and headed for the Loyalty Islands. We need to consider currents in the Havannah Passage before departure and share some of the technical aspects around this - and we want to arrive on the island called LIFOU and in particular at an anchorage off magnificent cliffs at the villiage of CHEPENEHE.
We receive a warm welcome to the island and find the place both beautiful and interesting with some of the most translucent waters around this part of the world. We hope you enjoy sailing there with us ...

[@Bandare]

Really enjoy you taking the time to go through the technicals..... brilliant.... thanks a lot

[@CatamaranImpi]

Always a pleasure - nice to have the comment - thanks :)

[@dancordellsailing]

I really like your detailed explanations of route planning. I've learned a lot of it on the theoretical level (and put it to use here in Puget Sound!) but hearing an experienced cruising sailor describe how he does route planning out in remote areas really helps!

[@CatamaranImpi]

Great Dan - nice comment and great feedback. You will find as you sail more and more that these things become 'second nature' to one, but we will keep sharing what we can. I thought later on to maybe do some detailed explanations in specific videos for folks so not to bore our YT Friends who want to see the destinations. Cheers mate

[@RAJAesq]

There is much learning through your technical explanations - which is much enjoyed and appreciated. Thank you again.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Cheers

[@soemaintenance2817]

Love watching your adventures please keep them coming they are the highlight in my week thank you

[@CatamaranImpi]

Nice to hear Rob - we have been trying to upload one - 24 hrs and at 53% so a little frustrating and this one is about 15 mins in length. Lets hope the internet speeds up a bit ... cheers

[@willterryart]

I love your enthusiasm Brent! ...great vid!

[@CatamaranImpi]

Thanks Will - from one enthusiastic person to the next - that's awesome! I still think your art skills can earn you a living in a boat ... would love to have your talent in art mate ... cheers :)

[@willterryart]

Catamaran Impi Working on it!... you never know - you might find yourself teaching me how to replace a fuel filter one day :)

[@CatamaranImpi]

Will Terry - LOL - no worries Will - should we start on the fuel filter right away!!!

[@johnsalter3246]

Brent, Ana, a most expansive explanation of getting through the reefs on this and the previous vlog. Many thanks from a landlubber.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hey John - I hope it does not bore the landlubbers too much but it does seem folks like like to get the details. Who knows - by the time I am done with our vlogs we may see you untying the lines and heading out :) Always a pleasure for us - thanks for dropping a note here - cheers, Brent

[@krafthaus8378]

Another great video Brent. Thanks for the time you put into creating these! You are a good teacher too. 👍

[@CatamaranImpi]

Nice comment Mark - always a pleasure. I have never been a teacher but it does seem we are going that way - LOL. It seems folks enjoy us sharing some of the methods that work for us to keep Impi safely cruising. Cheers for now

[@mikeevans6645]

Another thumbs ^ video Captain Brent. As always we TY both.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hey Mike - all good and thanks for the words - appreciated !

[@terryharms235]

Wow what a ride for Terry, Nice video, thank you for all the information you give us that are not there, Terry

[@CatamaranImpi]

The Terry's of the world are crazy huh !!! LOL Yeah, actually I should not have allowed him to be standing there - we were new to the Bahamas and the effects of currents through the passages - it was one of those 'we do this once in a lifetime, realise we shouldn't have and then never do it again' experiences. Any way, always our pleasure to share - thanks for the comment Terry - cheers for now ... Brent

[@michaelsteck2851]

Thanks again for a wonderful vid, the clear ,calm waters of 30m must've been a real treat after the washing machine. Cheers and fair winds!

[@CatamaranImpi]

LOL - so true Michael - awesome to have swimming pool conditions in the bay. Unfortunately it is usually a sign of a new weather system to come. Cheers

[@rallyman1122]

Thanks Brent. As always fascinating. Safe travels and fair winds.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hey Dan - all good mate - thanks for commenting. Cheers mate :)

[@dgourdine50]

I just recently found your channel, and am so glad I did! I am learning so much and laughing so hard as well. I am falling in love with New Caledomia. With Godspeed, I plan to untie the lines and follow your wake Thank you and Ana for sharing your adventure Fair winds and Following Seas guys😊😊😊⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵

[@CatamaranImpi]

Awesome - pleased you found us here too! I am also pleased you are picking up the humour - many folks don't because I guess we have quite a dry sense of humour - countries like Australia get it right away :) And New Caledonia - ahhh man - this is such amazing cruising territory - it is vast, beautiful and so interesting. Always a pleasure to share and we hope to see you untie those lines soon Cheers for now Brent

[@jandradventures]

Great video. Appreciated the demonstrations of the affects of tide on the inlets. It's one thing to know and another to see it.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hey you guys - thanks - so nice to see you learning to sail and going through sailing school!

[@jandradventures]

Thanks! We'd also like to say we love Impi. She's a beautiful boat. You guy's have great taste. A 440 is our dream boat, though we may have to start a little smaller due to the budget. One way or another though we make it happen!

[@CatamaranImpi]

Jessica and Ryan Adventures - that's the way guys ... so many awesome boats out there and I really encourage folks if necessary to buy something that fits the budget comfortably and have the moola to make it safe and comfortable ... cheers

[@oldguy448]

absolutely fantastic to be able to do these great things and have such a beautiful partner great stuff...life is good

[@CatamaranImpi]

Wise words there 'Old guy' :) Yes, we really are blessed to be doping this and I certainly do have a beautiful partner to do it with - such an awesome attitude to sailing and exploration - wonderful folks all over the world to share it with - I count my blessings ...

[@LuizSchmidt]

Brent, thank you for another great video! What I like most is the technical explanations: you make it easy for us (less experienced sailors) to understand. Keep posting and safe travels!

[@CatamaranImpi]

Ahhh Luiz - always a pleasure my friend! I will see what technical stuff we can share as we progress - I may be running out of ideas soon :) Cheers and thanks for the comment - hope its a good week for you :)

[@LuizSchmidt]

Catamaran Impi just as an idea, a friend is buying a Lagoon 450 and have questions about a subject that is not pleasant at all, but necessary and nobody talks about it: black water management.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Luiz Schmidt - Black water management - yes. So basically there are those sailors who have the means to manage the process and those who do not. Then there are those who have the means but do not care and those who have the means and do care. The thing with modern cats is that they come standard with Black Water Tanks - we have 3 large volume tanks on Impi. So when one is in an anchorage between other boats and near marinas and so on, the tanks are closed and they fill over weeks. Then when they are full or on the next cruise and in deep water the tanks are 'evacuated', or if a nearby marina has a pump one pulls alongside and has it pumped. Many boat owners will argue that there is always an abundance of fish under boats (in some areas many minute shrimps) and they take care of the situation immediately on evacuation. Whilst this is quite true, I still prefer they leave this to deep water and or remote anchorages or reefs. I do think there is more awareness nowadays between cruisers and generally we try to show respect for each other by managing the system. Some sailors say they will evacuate at night when everyone is sleeping and the fish will take care of it, but these are not areas we will have our water maker operational. Cheers

[@MrSmithToday]

a nice relaxing video of a sailing adventure.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Cheers Norman ... The relaxing ones are always cool

[@Awie123456789]

Baie Dankie Brent en Ana, geniet dit Baie.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Ahhh - South African coming through - n plesier via ons AJ - lekker naweek via julle ... cheers

[@scotthert2155]

Great video. Really enjoyed the explanation about currents and tides. I've also been enjoying some of Terry's video ability on Gone with the Wynns. Take Care

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Scott - Awesome to hear that ... and as for Terry ... LOL ... never managed to get him to do camera work for us, so the Wynns have a persuasive gift there :) Cheers - hope its a great week for you

[@RAJAesq]

Thank you for sharing Brent & Ana

[@CatamaranImpi]

A pleasure for us - cheers Roger and thanks for dropping a note ...

[@xm2go69]

great tutorial, excellent sailing ...great vid!!!

[@CatamaranImpi]

Thanks Barry - much appreciated !

[@Seazer009]

Thanks for the video Brent, a very beautiful and fascinating place Chepenene is for sure..Glad you guys found friendly people and some groceries there..Now negotiating the reefs would really give me some frightening concerns while sailing..On the other hand, if my Wife and I were there and she saw all those Spiders she would have said, no way we are leaving right now! My Wife simple can't tolerate Spiders but they don't bother me at all, most are harmless..Anyway enjoy your travels and looking forward here to another video soon ...Cheers mate and be safe out there guys... Wayne..

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Wayne - thanks for the comment :) Lol - regarding your wife and the spiders - Ana also did a little wobble when she saw them but they are probably doing a lot of good in removing some unwanted bug species from the island. We saw them spinning many cacoons around their prey. Chepenehe was a nice visit - unfortunately not all the places were friendly but we will save that video for another day. Cheers

[@marcosfriedmann1958]

I am learning a lot with your videos, excellent explanation, regards from Brazil.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hey Marcos from Brazil - that's awesome !!! Cheers

[@bobahlberg6360]

i love the information.thanks for the ride.great vid

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hey Bob - an absolute pleasure for us :)

[@johnnywilson1616]

Another great video. I look forward to yours and Ana's sailing adventures and the beautiful places visited. Remarkable, even through the lens of a camera. I can only imagine what the eye sees. Your narration really gives you an insight into the day to day lives of the locals and their history. Take care, fair winds and Godspeed.....Johnny

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Johnny - thanks for the words. Yes, it really is magnificent to see many of these places through the eyes and so difficult to capture on video. The whole experience of seeing different places through the eyes, through smell, the sounds, the vibe and energy is incredible. Remarkably though, one can sail into some really beautiful places and find certain hostility there too - so one never judges a book by its cover so to speak - we always approach new places with a humble attitude and the excitement is in the discovery as to 'what extent the place will open up to one' ... or in few instances 'shut down' to one. Cheers

[@johnnywilson1616]

Have you ever run into outright hostility? A dangerous situation? I know it all looks, to me, like fun and games but I imagine there can be some testy situations out there. Take care and I hope they are far few and in between ....... Johnny

[@CatamaranImpi]

Johnny Wilson - Johnny, according to some cruisers who witnessed it we have, but I think we get quite used to this in South Africa so what we consider outright hostility verses how others perceive that may be different. We have never felt we could not 'negotiate' our way out of a situation. We usually study the culture and regulations of a country and its people before we visit there and always approach with a humble attitude. We did however have our lives threatened in the Caribbean at Carriacou. The guy was aggressive to the extreme after we refused to be 'ripped off' by him but he pulled out a knife and told us he was coming back in the night with friends to kill us. I asked him to wait for a minute whilst I took his photograph and then I showed a picture of Ana standing with the Prime minister of Grenada (Carriacou falls under Grenada) which fortunately I had taken when he invited Ana and I to be photographed with him at a feast in Grenada some months earlier - none the less he sped off cursing and blinding away. A little while later some villagers approached us and asked us please not to talk to the Prime minister - they would like to broker peace between us. Similar incidents have taken place where the locals want to take advantage of their position to get extra cash out of one, and yeah, sometimes one needs to be 'tough but respectful' to get the respect back, unless of course you are just willing to be ripped off. The issue I have with allowing them to get away with ripping off sailors, is those who follow in our wake - sometimes cruising folks do not have the money and then sailors before them who just got suckered in have spoilt the experience for those who follow. I think the most aggressive situation remains the time they tried to board us 200nm off the coast off Gyana (pirates / rouge fisherman) and I had to shoot at the guys using our flare pistol - that story was on the Noonsite Hijacking site ... that was a close call!

[@johnnywilson1616]

I knew it had to be out there......if I ever do get to do some cruising, it will probably be in the Caribbean. And no farther south than St Lucia.....getting close to South America seems to be asking for trouble.

[@moz1953]

stunning vlog brent, been watching terry with the wynns, think it might be some time before they try an atoll ! i reckon you true cruisers live the best life possible, be well and safe, best to you both, moz

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Moz - always a kind word from you - thank you :) Yes, Terry has been sailing with the Wynns - I am trying to get used to his look - short hair and a beard - not used to that - LOL - and he seems to have lost some weight since leaving South Africa . I recon it will be a while before the Wynns do the Tuamotus but the Bahamas are also pretty good training grounds for planning these passes too. I am looking forward to seeing their explorations in the Bahamas :) Cheers for now

[@mikeferguson2828]

Another great video Brent. Looks like those inlets are similar to the "hells gate" gape at Santa Maria on the southern tip of Inhaca island here in Mozambique. We also have loads of currents around the islands due to sand bars and as you say strange to see curling standing waves.. Enjoy

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hey Mike, so interesting to hear this from Mozambique - I know the tidal range there is huge but did not realise the extent of the 'rapids' from restricted in / outflows. Very interesting and yes, sand bars - oh man - can be quite menacing. Cheers mate ... Brent

[@BenGun1962]

Thank you for that Vid. Well, well done.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Cheers Andreas - always a pleasure and thanks for the comment. Cheers .. Brent

[@sickjohnson]

Awesome video as usual Brent, thanks so much. Hope you don't take too much flack for you son with no life preserver or safety line. Anxiously awaiting your next video! Cam from Canada.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Cam from Canada ... Thanks for the warning - I would deserve to take flack over that one !!! That footage was still in the early days of our cruising life and I guess with South Africa not being as safety conscious as the rest of the world combined with growing up on a farm, we took way too many risks without thinking it through. So - yeah - thanks for the warning and I do realise I may have to 'duck' on this one :) Cheers for now Brent :)

[@sickjohnson]

Cheers back to you two and bon-voyager!!!

[@romeowhiskey1146]

Brent/Ana, Yet another GREAT video. The QUALITY of the videos is getting better and better and better. (Please DON"T interpret this comment as ANY criticism of previous videos...I just noticed how PROFRESSIONALLY this video was.) The video...particularly the 'teaser' shot of the 'glass clam' on the way to Douldodoo was SPECTACULAR. The audio...perfectly matched to the video. Very nice Vivaldi sounding video. (Yep...Terry? shouldn't have been playing 'I'm the King of the World' out there. Would have been an exciting MOB exercise to retrieve him...ah?) You were indeed blessed to find such a well stocked 'grocery' even with PRIX FIXED... My Sunday a.m. is now complete...peace with the world to you both. Looks like Fred? got to share your Lifou experience first hand as well. Fair winds, my fellows. RW

[@romeowhiskey1146]

BTW...great TECHNICAL analysis of the WATERFALL effect for noobie sailors and non-sailors alike. Many could LEARN alot from following you videos.

[@CatamaranImpi]

HI RW - thanks you my friend - much appreciated!! Not to worry - I certainly do not read criticism into your comment - only compliments - and on occasion if criticism is due then I need to learn from that too. WRT Terry - yes - wish we could play regular music on our vids - I am never sure how other channels get this right - I must be missing something ... but yes ... folks have been too kind on this post letting me get away with having my son at the bow in those conditions ... a MOB drill there would have been interesting ... what was I thinking ... stupido huh !!!! Anyway my friend - I hope you had a great weekend ... Cheers from us Brent and Ana

[@laurentfroggy6631]

fantastic Brent. great vid again and very infos on the tides.... Q: When will Anna do a video for us? :))))

[@CatamaranImpi]

Always our pleasure Laurent - Ana read this and had a good chuckle. She says she was camera girl when Terry was at the bow of the boat ... so she is 'getting there'. At least she had a number of people on the dock doing yoga this morning :)

[@jwrappuhn71]

Great vid Brent, it would also help if you had a high sun in the sky to help see, thanks bro.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Thanks mate - yes certainly - position of the sun makes a huge difference ... cheers

[@orangewhip6261]

Wow, nice video Brent. I remember entering Ranaroa in the Tuamoto's through the Avatoru pass with 6 kts of current on the nose. Motor grinding away for 30 mins to get in. Not fun, but beautiful pass.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Thanks - appreciate the comment :) It is quite incredible how those passes run in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Do you remeber if you went in mid tide or not? One of the most amazing experiences we had was leaving Rangiroa on an outgoing tide - we were against the clock and had to leave with the pass running hard. Some boats were waiting it out off the entrance and as we ploughed through these rolling waves we saw one with a string of dolphins in it - a standing rolling wave with dolphins surfing it and doing somersaults with their young ones - incredible. I wanted a photo but there was no way I was letting go of the helm - looked over at Ana and she was so white-knuckled I realised the photo op was gone :) As you say - not fun but can be so beautiful ... Cheers

[@orangewhip6261]

I don't remember if it was mid tide when we entered, only that it was strong, and when we left, we made sure to leave on the outgoing tide. I remember leaving at what must have been 10 kts over the bottom, and hitting 4 of 5 sets of standing waves outside. The boat was a 58' ketch, and had no problems crashing through that 2 meter chop. That must have been cool to see those dolphins playing and surfing that standing wave.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Awesome share OW - 58ft - nice length for the waves :) The dolphins were awesome - we so kick ourselves for not getting that footage though - man ! Anyway, we think the Tuamotu Archipelago will see a 3rd visit from us in the future ... we love that place - the longer one stays the sweeter it gets :) Cheers

[@genebagwell1709]

I'm learning alot about route planning tools from you guys. Wonderful stuff Was wondering if you would consider doing a video on the communications systems you are using while in remote areas. Also thanks for the information about the March pump you use on your genset. Just added one to ours.

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Gene - pleased we can share some things that have helped us and now also help others :) WRT the communications systems - are you thinking radio, satellite or more internet comms and so on? All good with the March Pump for the generator - you will be so happy to have switched - I never give a thought to impeller changes anymore - except on the main engines of course. Cheers for now Brent

[@genebagwell1709]

That's exactly what I'm looking for. I loved your recent haulout series, and a day in the life of Impi, so i'd like to see some more of those type of videos too.

[@CatamaranImpi]

***** - Awesome. Did you see our passage from NZ to New Caledonia? To go or not to go - there I shared a lot about weather communications ...kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3y6kIJji8pgbZY

[@genebagwell1709]

I did, that video is what made me subscribe to your channel.

[@niccat7051]

Thank you for your detailed answer, I've just got the GoPro 3 silver, I just need to add a big cat and an exotic location 👍😂😂

[@CatamaranImpi]

LOL - yes - add that cat tot he picture :) What I am realising is that the simpler the camera the better and GoPro 3 is just fine. I like to have the battery life.

[@niccat7051]

Hay, I'm really enjoying your technical chats👍 BTW, would you mind saying which camera equipment you are using? Cheers 😊

[@CatamaranImpi]

Thats cool - so pleased you are enjoying the technical stuff. I sometimes feel a little 'naf' doing it, but then it seems many folks enjoy the share. Yes, camera equipment - no worries - we use a GoPro3 and now recently got a GoPro4 black (I prefer the 3 as the batteries in the 4 cannot handle the extra quality for any reasonable length of time IMO). Sometimes I use my Canon Camera MK111 but struggle to keep focus when zooming (but it does take quality vid) so loose a lot of footage that way - and a nice little but old camera I use is the Canon Powershot SX30. The issue I have with the latter is that the zoom function is way fast and it is very difficult to slow it down, so when I pull on the zoom it jumps and runs - if you know what I mean. Also at the point where it starts zooming there is a sudden jerk motion, so its not as easy as it looks. I wondered if they would come out with one with a built in stabiliser. Cheers

[@azhar201]

hi brent and ana, as usual.. great video.. i like the explanation of thing with low and high tide. i have no idea on it. good detail info. this is celestial navigation. i am sure you are a good navigator and sailor brent. i like the onboard gps info using many gps input. you use only 1 go pro camera i guess... what type of software for video editing that u use? i wish we could meet up in malaysia some day. hoping for a ride onboard impi catamaran will be a dream come true. i only have experience on handling dhingy only. at the moment i will keep track of your world travel story. cheers azhar lumut, malaysia

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Azhar - thank you - nice comment and pleased the sharing helped you to see another aspect to sailing. We use a GoPro 3 (Black) and we have a GoPro 4 (Black) now also, however the 4 is not impressing me due to short battery life compared to the 3. The 4 should give better quality videos but when we set it to that quality the battery dies quickly. We also use a regular canon camera and switch it to video mode - not easy to use off a moving boat especially using the zoom, and also the focus gets very confused with the sparkling reflections off water - it is a struggle to capture. The editing software is the standard iMovie that comes on Mac. We have not yet mastered how to save enough space on the Mac while making movies so we need to improve our skills. Perhaps we will see you in Malaysia ... we hope so. Cheers for now Brent

[@azhar201]

hi brent, thanks for the reply. well so far good video from u. mac does have a good reputation in multimedia industry. i guess it is much easier in using it. battery life is crucial in video. well additional battery on standby is an advantage. usually battery dies out when we really need the shot. well go pro is a well known trademark. keep shooting. i am hoping to see u if u pass through the malacca straits someday. cheers. azhar

[@brianbernard9695]

bea.u.tiful place nice quiet island so many bird sounds. all that bouncing around in that vid. must be hard on structure & rigging probbley not a good place to go into if not needed .thanks impi

[@CatamaranImpi]

Thanks for the comment Brian ... Yes, a very nice spot on our globe and the local folks were friendly too - not so much on the next one we visit . And yes, certainly one dies not want to venture into cuts unless one can't avoid it. Cheers

[@mdennisthemenace]

i saw that same super yacht on trio travels vlog yesterday

[@TXEOC]

me to

[@CatamaranImpi]

That is interesting - we took that photo on our first visit to the Tuamotu Archipelago in 2013 ... wonder where she is now ...

[@diverdoug3]

As you travel to all these places, How does the currency work, Do you carry various country money? Use Credit Cards? Your video are great and I really enjoy all I am learning, One day I will be out there!!

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Doug - apology for the delayed response - been cruising areas with zero internet. Currency ... a good question. We use credit cards mostly and can also exchange cash in most countries we sail to. The issue with cash is that we are limited to how much we can travel with due international monetary practises - I don't understand how they can dictate to us a limit on the amount of cash we may carry and this is my 'political flaw in life' - I think the leaders are cramping us - we need to use their banks and their systems but they blame it on all sorts of other activities as a reason to fool us into using their cumbersome institutions ... sorry for the spew, but it is really hard for folks like us who want to be free to actually be free on yachts. We need to continuously prove our residential status and the banking system is NOT friendly for those of us continuously on the move. To keep credit cards current one to needs to reappear in person at the bank for re-newals - we need to notify our locations continuously otherwise the cards are blocked and so on. We want to warn folks to please sort all this out prior to departure - it is the one thing we struggle with out here. Thank you for your kind comment Doug - much appreciated and look forward to hearing of the day you get set to launch ... Cheers for now... Brent

[@moomman89]

:)

[@dunderduck]

Hi, I remember on one of your videos you explained how you use various applications for navigation.. e.g. using offline Google Earth/Bing satellite images and then combining that with gps to plot a course. But I can't find it! Could you please point me to it again? Many thanks! By the way, haven't seen an update for a while, everything ok?

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Diederick - all ok and thanks for asking - we are in South Africa with family and friends and wrapping up some business following the passing of our auditor. Are you thinking of this clip kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3WwYXVnbdCMb6c look from 2:36 in the vid. I did some others too but think this may be the one you are referring to. This was the one on radar and other monitoring systems kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3WwYXVnbdCMb6c around 7:30 I hope this helps :)

[@dunderduck]

Thanks so much Brent! You guys are really an inspiration!

[@aponoypi]

those waters will be scary on a night passage

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Ariel - yes most definitely and especially at spring tides one does not want to be anywhere close to a pass. I have a friend who went into a pass one nigh,t and says he was ignorant to the point that as his speed picked up, he kept thinking he was trimming his sails better and better. At 9 knots he suddenly got swamped by the first wave and then the boat dropped onto its side and was held in that position for a while as water just kept dumping on-top of him. He had his engines going full tilt and managed to escape but says he genuinely thought it was 'the end' for him. This is why we like to share these things - sailors should really be familiarising themselves with the different geological regions they sail to before arriving there.

[@aponoypi]

+Catamaran Impi Totally agree. Proper planning, training and maintenance goes a long way. Those currents and reefs can be dangerous.

[@bobshaw4063]

What country does the island belong to France ?

[@CatamaranImpi]

Hi Bob - yes - French territory and part of New Caledonia. There are locals fighting for independence but I really don't think they see what France provides for the islands - they have given the place infrastructure.

[@bobshaw4063]

Hi Brent Thank You for your reply . Sounds like they might cut off their noses to spite their faces if they are granted independence from France. Hope they wake up and realize what France provides to the island . Where are Ana & you located now ? Is Terry ever going to do any more sailing on Impi any time in the future ? Happy Sailing and Fair Winds !

[@CatamaranImpi]

Yeah, I do believe the French have agreed to a referendum or general vote for independence in 2018. Oh man - would these local folks have cut off their noses to spite their face - IN A BIG WAY !!! The sad thing is that it is a handful of people instigating it and I am hoping the general population will realise that to be under their chiefs verses the French State could be harsh. Anyway, we try not to involve ourselves in politics but it is quite a hot debate at the moment. French guys tell me they do not have the same work opportunities as the locals - kinda sounds like South Africa to me. Ana and I are in Noumea tied to a mooring someone kindly offered to us while we sort out Moose and the vet who will attend to him. We have the vet flying out to the island to see attend to the dogs care and do some checkups for him - so this is quite exciting. It has however delayed some of our travels and explorations but that can follow once Moose is sorted. Terry is a married young man and working hard in Florida now - I think when he settles he and Yolande will definitely join us on Impi from time to time, however, he says he is waiting for us to get back to the Atlantic. Terry has done a lot of sailing for his age - apart from sailing on lakes and so forth back home he has sailed from Cape Town to the Bahamas via St Helena and the Caribbean - he then did a short stint of work with Just Catamarans and was part of a 3 man crew bringing Impi (when we bought her) down from France to Cape Town (South Africa) via Brazil again. He has also done his local skippers course in SA but he was saying he needs to refresh himself with the manual chart work and so on again - so he may get busy with that soon. Cheers fro now and thanks for asking.

[@bobshaw4063]

Hi Again. I hope the referendum vote in 2018 doesn't pass . That is so kind of you waiting for the vet to fly in & attend to Moose . Hope the vet finds him fit and can do some thing with his vision . Thanks for the update on your son Terry. I saw your vlog when he got married . Nice to hear Terry has done a lot of sailing for his age . I also live in Florida on the west coast real close to the Gulf of Mexico nort west of Tampa about an hour or so . That was nice Terry was part of a 3 man crew sailing Impi when you bought her . Hope you can get back to the Atlantic in the not to distant future so you can have a reunion with Yolande and Terry . Will be waiting to hear how Moose makes out after the vet arrives and checks him out . Are you living on Impi @ the mooring that she is tied to ? Bob

[@CatamaranImpi]

Thanks Bob - I love Florida - such an awesome place! When I was Terry's age I lived in California and was doing business there, which is where Terry was born. Yes, we are always living on Impi and yes, right here on the Mooring - very convenient and a lovely place to hang out. I think we have also been particularly fortunate with great weather. The interesting thing has been these naval divers who come silently in the water - I got such a fright one morning when I looked overboard and saw guys sneaking past us in the water with Automatic Rifles - LOL - anyway - we are used to them now but their training looks intense! They even swim under and around the boats at night ... man ... incredibly fit youngsters. Cheers for now ... Brent