Weather forces change in course May 5th, 2007

We changed course early this morning after reviewing the weather forecast for the next few days. A Low pressure system is forming near Fiji and it's forecast to strengthen and head S more or less toward New Zealand. Unfortunately, the path of this Low was pretty much on our desired course so we're now sailing NW to move out of the way of the Low. What this means is that we won't be going to Tonga and instead we'll be sailing to Fiji or possibly Vanuatu.

The good news is that we have the communication systems on board that provide us advance warning of developing weather systems so that we can avoid them. Developing Lows such as this one sometimes turn into Cyclones, but it's pretty unusual this time of year and we are just being extra cautious by changing our course in the event this Low intensifies as it could pack a mean punch. Hopefully it dies out just as quickly as it formed and we can resume a more direct route to Fiji as we are now sailing NW toward Vanuatu.

Mothers of those onboard need not worry as we are playing it extra safe.

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