ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

It's on!

The first of the ORCV's Long Distance Offshore Sailing Seminars was held last night at RBYC. You can read about the upcoming ones and why, as a racer or a cruiser, you should attend, just by clicking HERE. Also, if you have the pre-requisite skills and experience, you can put your name down for a ride on the Line Honours favourite, Scarlet Runner, by clicking HERE and reading all about that.

54 souls attended the first seminar and all indicated that they would be back for Seminar#2. I wouldn't mind betting there will be even more showing up! There were Grand Prix racers, ORCV stalwarts and dedicated cruisers, all keen to absorb the information and be ready for July 4th.

Now this first seminar also marks the start of the official process of, and lead-in to, the whole M2V race. It comes our way after all of the planning and support from sponsors like APC Logistics, for the container and Rotary International, for the educational materials, which will be making their way to the North Vila School in July and also a small troop of dedicated volunteers.

Commodore, George Shaw, opened proceedings and offered a race back to Mackay, which six boats eagerly snapped up. Most of us then remembered the fact that you only two boats going in the same general direction for it to be classed as a race. However, the rest were very keen to look at the post race cruise further up into the islands, so it looks like both options will be well subscribed to. We also found out about the magnificent pearl gift for the other half of any duo that is going to be left behind. The prizes did not stop there. The 12-month Tidetech subscription will be awarded to a member of the M2V fleet and the winner will also get a pair of Tam Tams (like totem poles), which are the country's national logo (see bottom of article). We learned a lot from Trevor Huggard about the "Happiest place on the planet" and the fresh fish and produce that the daily markets have on offer.

Rear Commodore, Simon Dryden, gave us an insight into crew management and the overall strategy of the race. "It's a proper race. After day six or so, you can get a bit funny, for not having seen land. You're bound to have been through all sorts of weather and you will have a lot of jobs for the crew to do, in order to keep minds active. The two really important areas to deal with are Gabo Island and New Caledonia. It should take you 10 to 15 days, depending on the size of your vessel", he said.

Robin Hewitt walked us through global weather patterns and the differences between Summer and Winter and paid attention to the horse latitudes, below the Trade winds. "No matter whether you choose to go up the East coast of Australia or straight out into the Pacific, everyone has to go through the light stuff!" was how he put it.

One person, who was there last night, and definitely going, is Phil Coombs. He couldn't be more excited about the whole M2V affair. He's even bought the first Beneteau First 50 in the country, to make sure he goes there in style! Showers, microwave, proper matresses, etc, etc.

The proud owner gives us his best "Price is Right" module expression. He's always good for a hoot. Read on for a bit more on the two characters in the background, just above the spectacular product placement...

Everyone checks her out, before it's off for sea trials with her new sails.

Now speaking of sails, Dave Eickmeyer of Quantum Melbourne, even installed them himself. He's up at the boom and assisting him is Cam, who we saw in a piece on 'Calm', which is HERE.

One boat name that will definitely be on the Portsea start line on July 4. We're sure to see more of it around the Bay and possibly the ORCV races before then, as well.

David James presented the differences between Cat2 and 1, where the main item is that you are a fair way from home and you have to be more self-reliant. The Blue Book, construction, stability, power, water, EPIRBs, Yacht ID, Medical Kit and a whole raft of items were noted. One of the most important elements and discussed throughout many articles, is the installation of AIS. Not the cheapest bit of gear on a boat, but one way to ensure that the Yankee Foxtrots, which are made of Newcastle Pine, know exactly where you are!

Robyn Brooke is masterminding our Humanitarian efforts for this race and what a marvellous thing that is too. The North Vila School will be deilghted with all the materials that are going there way soon. These are coming via the Brighton North Rotary Club, who have provided access to their sensational warehouse of aid, as a direct result of seeing how 100% of the ORCV activity goes to the local community. So a big thank you is required for Rotary. APC have already found the ship that they are going to put the container on and ensured we knew what is able to be carried and how best to pack it all in.

Neville Rose illustrated all of the mentoring programs that are available to assist people get into it and referred to the fact that it may be free, but the information is priceless. I think he may have been happy just to have had all the seminar evaluation forms handed back in at the end, actually. Thank you to everyone, as they all came back in, BTW.

As the penultimate paragraph, let me say, on behalf of the whole ORCV Committee, many thanks to all of the speakers and guests for making last night so successful.

It's on and as of last night, we're off! There are now 20 boats that have already indicated they are going and quite a few more sitting just under the radar - for now. It is certainly not too late to become a part of it all. You just need to get onto the arrangements and safety audits, etc. The inaugural M2V was an awesome event and this one will be huge, so get out of Winter and get on the bus heading North. Remember, you do not have to be a full-blown Grand Prix racer to come along. Click HERE to read about the Long Distance Offshore Seminar Series. The next one is on March 9 and it will deal with getting you ready for Cat1.

The 2006 M2V start. Pics are thanks to and © Teri Dodds.

ORCV Commodore, George Shaw, delivers the opening address and also covered the passport, boat rego and crew change requirements you'll need to know to get in and out with the minimum of fuss.

By John Curnow