Passage: NZ to Vanuatu Day 7

Started out downwind sailing with our Code Zero, in variable winds of 13-26 knots. Overall making good time. More birds, land is getting closer.

In the night, we go between the uninhabited volcanic islands of Matthew and Hunter, claimed by both Vanuatu and New Caledonia (France). We go over the southern arc of the South New Hebrides plate, an area prone to earthquakes due to its subduction by the Australian plate. Most recently, there was a 7.7 quake centered here in 2021.

As we sail north through the western Pacific, we are traveling along the edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a vast zone where tectonic plates collide, creating many of the world’s active volcanoes and earthquakes. This geologically active belt stretches through places such as Vanuatu, the Solomons, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan—all destinations on our route home.

We saw our first other boat in the distance last night, a cargo ship passing within 9 miles of us out here in the dark. Moonlight last night was a welcome friend.

This morning, as I stood in the galley, I felt completely uninspired to come up with a dinner idea. I informed Calder that we would have leftovers or beans tonight, that I wasn’t cooking tonight. These were fighting words, as Calder added a handline out the back of the boat and reassessed the lures he was using. We all are craving fresh fish, but they have been elusive.

We feel lucky to keep sailing, winds have stayed with us longer then predicted. We hope to arrive tomorrow afternoon.

Food: Dinner of Tikka Masala chicken with Naan bread.

24 hour total: 147.8 nm

Miles to go: 144 nm