23:50S 179:12W

 

We reached North Minerva Reef just after midday yesterday.   The entry into the lagoon was very straightforward with a nice wide, obstacle free pass.  We motored across to the other side of the lagoon and anchored in 15m with not another boat (except wrecks) in sight – an eerie feeling.  Minerva is known for its crayfish so, after lunch, a snorkelling expedition was on.  David checked out the Tongan wreck which he figured would be the place for crays but not one in sight.  We headed on to a patch of big coral heads but once again – nothing.   Suvarrow was also full of crayfish until a mid summer raid by Asian fishing boats.   We suspect the same has happened here.  At least we still had fresh mahimahi for dinner.

 

The wreck has a fascinating (if macabre) history of which we know little.  It was a Tongan fishing boat which went on the reef in the 50s or 60s.  Most of its crew survived in Minerva for weeks living on fish and catching rainwater but several  died.   A book was written about it which we’ll definitely be reading when we reach NZ.

 

It was a beautifully calm and still night and as we were sitting in the cockpit having a well earned sundowner (our first since leaving Tonga) I noticed a rather large fin in the water behind us. It disappeared before the boys saw it but within minutes had reappeared very close to Bandit.  This was a serious shark – a huge dorsal fin and some feet behind.....its tail fin. It continued to cruise around us so...needless to say....noone was keen for a morning swim today.  It was definitely not a friendly reef shark – something far more sinister.

 

We woke early this morning to good wind.   Alastair’s first comment was “this wind is too good to miss” so after breakfast we upped anchor and headed away.  There was nothing to stay for in Minerva – the huge shark had put all thoughts of further crayfish expeditions out of our minds.   We’re now rocketing along at between 6-7knots in 18knots of wind on the nose – but a flat sea making the ride very comfortable.  The fishing lines are out – the sun is shining into the cockpit and we’re enjoying topping up our rapidly fading tans.