Minerva "23:55.29S 179:06.95W"
VulcanSpirit
Richard & Alison Brunstrom
Mon 20 May 2013 04:56
Well, we've arrived at Minerva Reef having sailed
all the way from NZ, 850nm - not an easy achievement given the notoriously
fickle winds in this stretch of sea, but we timed it right and got lucky.
Minerva was awarded to Tonga following international arbitration as a
result of an argument with Fiji over territorial jurisdiction - but this
hasn't fully settled the matter, with both sides periodically sending gunboats
to assert ownership and remove any sign of the other's presence. Seems a
bit ridiculous for a tiny speck, no part of which lies above high water
mark!
Anyway, we're here, anchored in 8m of water
surrounded by unbroken ocean in all directions. Weird
feeling.
|