After the long-distance sailing scene in the Caribbean had to worry in early summer about the whereabouts of their ships in view of the approaching hurricane season, it is now affecting the blue water crews in the Pacific. Many currently want to sail on from the South Pacific islands to New Zealand. But the New Zealand authorities are refusing entry to foreign crews.
The problem is the same as it was months ago in the Caribbean: countries in hurricane-safe areas have recently closed their borders to sailors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Strict rules
Yacht crews are only allowed to enter the country in exceptional circumstances, such as distress at sea, or for humanitarian reasons. The British Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) then tried to intervene and contacted the New Zealand authorities to find solutions to the concerns of hundreds of yacht crews who were hoping for a relaxation of New Zealand's strict position. However, the OCC's intervention was unsuccessful.
German crew arrested
As the newspaper "New Zealand Herald" reports, a German crew recently did not comply with the regulations and nevertheless called at the port of Opua with the 16-metre yacht "Anita". Although the crew had applied for an exemption, they had not waited for authorisation. According to the report, all three crew members tested negative for Covid 19 and were detained.
New destinations sought
In search of alternatives, many long-distance crews are planning to move to areas in the South Pacific that are also not in the path of the cyclones. These include the Marquesas, the Austral Islands and the Gambier Islands.
The infrastructure for yachts there is certainly much worse than in New Zealand, which will jeopardise the refit plans often planned for the stay there and also the further travel plans of many crews.
Great annoyance
There is great displeasure among sailors in the South Pacific. Especially as the America's Cup is due to take place in Auckland in December and there are also exemptions that have been granted for larger yachts, among others. This is because if there are extensive repair contracts with shipyards, entry can be authorised.
