5:44.70S 132:40.61E

Today's major drama was one of the yachts adrift and charging through the fleet.  They had no engine as a part had been taken to the main town to be fixed.  Their anchor dragged and in getting it back up by hand it had jammed.  So alert on the fleet VHF net and about 8 dinghies (including us) rushed to assist.  We all spread around and began towing and pushing (Delhi Taxi at the front pushing to provide steering) and took the yacht back clear of the fleet and held her while the people on board dropped their emergency anchor. 

Further calls on the radio for assistance.  One engine problem prompted two engineers from other yachts to go and assist and one electrical problem also produced the expertise within the fleet to fix it.   The yacht with the net wrapped around sailed into the main channel late this afternoon and several dinghies went out to bring her in.  However, one of the guys put on his dive gear and went under the yacht and cleared the net, so she was able to start her engine and motored in herself.

Meryon has been up the mast of the biggest yacht here (100 feet) to fix a new wind gauge.  The owner, a delightful and very funny English guy called Dave is on a 56 ft yacht said over the radio he needed help because he was too fat and too scared to do it himself.    

It is just like the community we sailed across the Pacific with, but bigger!

We went ashore this afternoon and walked about the local village to be greeted everywhere with smiling waving people and hundreds of children.  I ended up with the District Secretary helping me buy some bananas from a small girl on a roadside stall, as hardly anybody speaks English.  We then hired a taxi and an official guide and drove to the next town to buy some fresh vegetables and have a brief tour.  Tomorrow we have the official welcome ceremony in the morning and a dinner in the evening.