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.